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2004 Chrysler Sebring

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Sebring do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 132.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

166 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports12 fire reports16 injury reports

Seats complaints

12 reports
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110,000 miles · Feb 15, 2017
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REALLY HOT AND HAD TWO BURN HOLES. THERE WAS ALSO A HOLE IN THE CONTACT'S JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REALLY HOT AND HAD TWO BURN HOLES. THERE WAS ALSO A HOLE IN THE CONTACT'S JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS ALSO BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10954948

97,000 miles · Jan 24, 2014
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT ELECTRICAL HEATING SYSTEM FAILED AND BURNED THROUGH THE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT ELECTRICAL HEATING SYSTEM FAILED AND BURNED THROUGH THE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561296

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2013
Seats

THE SEAT WARMERS OVERHEAT. WHEN DRIVING, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE SEAT WARMERS BURNED A QUARTER-SIZE PLACE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN IT. SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I TURNED THE SEAT WARMERS OFF, BUT THERE IS A BLACK MARK IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WE CAN NO LONGER USE THE SEAT…

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THE SEAT WARMERS OVERHEAT. WHEN DRIVING, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE SEAT WARMERS BURNED A QUARTER-SIZE PLACE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN IT. SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I TURNED THE SEAT WARMERS OFF, BUT THERE IS A BLACK MARK IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WE CAN NO LONGER USE THE SEAT WARMER SAFELY. WHY HASN'T THE CAR MODEL BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508761

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2013
Seats

2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING LX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS INTO THE BACK SEAT. APPARENTLY, BOLTS HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR PREVIOUS M…

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2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING LX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS INTO THE BACK SEAT. APPARENTLY, BOLTS HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR PREVIOUS MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10492743

90,200 miles · Feb 16, 2012
SeatsFire

PASSENGER SEAT HAD BEEN FEELING WARMER THAN USUAL FOR A COUPLE MONTHS SO KEPT THE SEAT AT HEAT LEVEL 3 INSTEAD OF 5. IT WAS OK FOR AWHILE BUT THEN BURNED A HOLE THRU THE SEAT AS WELL AS MY JACKET. SMELLED THE BURNING SO I TURNED THE SEAT OFF. TURNING THE SEAT OFF STOPPED THE BURNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448180

70,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE ACTIVATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT WARMER AND THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BURNT HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE ACTIVATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT WARMER AND THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BURNT HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10447026

86,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010
SeatsFireInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED HE NOTICED THAT THE MECHANISM BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT WHICH CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED HE NOTICED THAT THE MECHANISM BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT WHICH CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10298433

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2007
Seats

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING FUNNY, THE DRIVE TO WORK TAKES ABOUT ONE HOUR, I CHECKED AROUND THE CAR FOR A REASON FOR THE SMELL BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ON MY WAY HOME THAT EVENING FROM WORK I COULD SMELL IT AGAIN. WHEN I STOPPED BY A STORE NEAR MY HOME I PICKED MY PURSE UP OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT A…

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING FUNNY, THE DRIVE TO WORK TAKES ABOUT ONE HOUR, I CHECKED AROUND THE CAR FOR A REASON FOR THE SMELL BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ON MY WAY HOME THAT EVENING FROM WORK I COULD SMELL IT AGAIN. WHEN I STOPPED BY A STORE NEAR MY HOME I PICKED MY PURSE UP OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND NOTICED A HOLE ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH AND ALSO BURNED THOUGH A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HAD BEEN ON THE FRONT SEAT AND IT HAD ALSO BURNED THROUGH TO THE BOTTOM OF MY PURSE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF MY HEATED CAR SEATS BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SEAT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT AT THE TIME OR IF THIS WAS THE DRIVER SEAT THAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO CHRYSLER BUT THEY WERE CLOSED UNTIL MON. I PLAN ON CALLING THEM ON MONDAY TO REPORT THIS AND SEE WHAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IS FOR DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10180928

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2006
SeatsFire

ON A RECENT TRIP OUT OF TOWN I SMELLED SMOKE WHICH I THOUGHT WAS COMING FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AS I WENT FURTHER THE SMELL BECAME A BIT STRONGER AND I KNEW IT WAS COMING FROM MY CAR. I WOUND UP PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE, PULLING INTO AN EMPTY LOT AND JUMPING OUT. WHEN I REACHED IN FOR MY POCKETBOOK I SAW SMOKE BILLOWING …

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ON A RECENT TRIP OUT OF TOWN I SMELLED SMOKE WHICH I THOUGHT WAS COMING FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AS I WENT FURTHER THE SMELL BECAME A BIT STRONGER AND I KNEW IT WAS COMING FROM MY CAR. I WOUND UP PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE, PULLING INTO AN EMPTY LOT AND JUMPING OUT. WHEN I REACHED IN FOR MY POCKETBOOK I SAW SMOKE BILLOWING UP OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY CHRYSLER SEBRING. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THE CONTROL TO THE SEAT, WHICH HAD BEEN TURNED ON ACCIDENTALLY, THE SMOKE DISSIPATED. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND THEY IN TURN UNPLUGGED THE HEATING ELEMENTS AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE AND A NEW SEAT CUSHION SINCE THAT WAS DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. MY HUSBAND CALLED TO CHECK ON THE PARTS HE WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED THE HEATING ELEMENT BUT WERE WAITING ON THE CUSHION. WHEN HE ASKED IF THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE ALL THE ELEMENTS HE WAS INFORMED THAT ONLY THE FAULTY ONE WOULD BE REPLACED AT THIS POINT. I THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLY TO GET THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THEM. MY FEELINGS ARE THAT IF ONE ELEMENT WAS FAULTY THEN THE REST MOST LIKELY ARE. THE DODGE CARAVANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. WOULDN'T IT SEEM THEY'RE USING THE SAME COMBUSTIBLE ELEMENTS IN THE SEBRING AS IN THE CARAVAN? I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR SMALL COMMUNITY THAT HAVE HAD THEIR SEATS GO UP IN FLAME. HOW MANY PEOPLE OR INJURIES DOES IT TAKE BEFORE THEY'LL DO A RECALL? THE WORST CASE SCENARIO WOULD HAVE BEEN IF MY OXYGEN-TOTING MOTHER-IN-LAW HAD BEEN IN THAT SEAT AS SHE IS ON MOST OCCASIONS! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147637

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

DT CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL BREAK WHILE SNAPPING INTO THE LATCH. CONSUMER STATES THE DEALER S FIXED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES TWICE. ALSO WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES THE BACK SEAT IS ALL ONE PIECE AND IT WILL GO FORWARD AND WILL RISE UP GOING TOWARD THE FRONT SEATS. CONSUMER STATES ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE THE AIR BAG…

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DT CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL BREAK WHILE SNAPPING INTO THE LATCH. CONSUMER STATES THE DEALER S FIXED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES TWICE. ALSO WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES THE BACK SEAT IS ALL ONE PIECE AND IT WILL GO FORWARD AND WILL RISE UP GOING TOWARD THE FRONT SEATS. CONSUMER STATES ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE THE AIR BAG COVER IS WARPED, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED IF INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATED THEY STARTED NOTICING THESE PROBLEMS ON JANUARY 16, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10139400

Official recalls

4

15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 2, 2015

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

04V336000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Jul 8, 2004

ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE LEFT HAND REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT BEING IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE LEFT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BOLT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V313000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 29, 2004

ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V443000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.