IllustrationCONVERTIBLE ROOF FABRIC STITCHING WAS COMING APART, CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER STAPLED THE FABRIC TOGETHER EVERY THREE MONTHS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM FALLING OUT. *AK
1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sebring Convertible years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
725–50K
1050–75K
575–100K
8100–150K
2150K+
33 reports with mileage · 19 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.
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
52 reportsMY WIFE'S 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WAS PARKED IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT ON U.S. ROUTE 130N, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND MOVED THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER TOWARD "D". SHE HAD PARKED FACING THE LANE BETWEEN THE PARKING SPACES SO SHE COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND NOT HAVE TO BACK OUT OF THE SPOT. …
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MY WIFE'S 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WAS PARKED IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT ON U.S. ROUTE 130N, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND MOVED THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER TOWARD "D". SHE HAD PARKED FACING THE LANE BETWEEN THE PARKING SPACES SO SHE COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND NOT HAVE TO BACK OUT OF THE SPOT. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER GOT TO "R" THE CAR LURCHED REARWARD AND THEN AS THE GEAR SHIFT WENT TO "D" THE CAR SHOT FORWARD EVEN THOUGH HER FOOT WAS PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE BREAK (YOU CAN'T SHIFT THIS CAR WITHOUT HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED). THE WAL-MART SECURITY FILM SHOWS WHITE SMOKE ISSUING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS AS THE CAR ROCKETS OUT OF SIGHT. THE CAR SPED ABOUT 250-300 FEET BEFORE MY WIFE STEERED INTO THE WAL-MART PLANT DISPLAY AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. NO INJURIES TO ANYONE AND NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER CARS. CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE CAR; HE FOUND NOTHING AMISS- NO PROBLEM AND THEREFORE NO EXPLANATION. MY WIFE TAKES NO MEDICATION(S) SHE WASN'T DRUNK OR IMPAIRED IN ANY WAY AND HAS A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. SO WHAT HAPPENED? THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR AND SENT US A CHECK. END OF STORY?, NOT QUITE. MY QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE ON THE ETHER IS: HAS ANYONE OUT THERE GONE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE? EVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE? SOMETHING CAUSED THAT CAR TO GO HAYWIRE AND IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED JUST ONCE. LET ME KNOW, PLEASE. MY E-MAIL IS: SBENNER@TRENTONNJ.ORG. *AK
COOLANT USED IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH CORROSION INHIBITORS, AS A RESULT THE ENGINE BLOCK AND CYLINDER HEAD CORE PLUGS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND ALL CORE PLUGS REPLACED. THE MFR. HAD A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE VIN# WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *NM
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVETIIBLE TOP IS FRAYING AROUND ALL THE EDGES. AROUND THE BACK WINDOW THE TOP HAS COME AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE SIDES OF THE WINDOW.
REAR WINDOW OF MY SEVERING IS COMING OUT BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE TOP THAT THEY PUT ON THE CAR,THE TOP IS LITERALLY COMING APART. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY WON'T COVER THIS AND I'M AFRAID THE WINDOW IS GOING TO FALL OUT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHICH I'M SURE WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDI…
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REAR WINDOW OF MY SEVERING IS COMING OUT BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE TOP THAT THEY PUT ON THE CAR,THE TOP IS LITERALLY COMING APART. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY WON'T COVER THIS AND I'M AFRAID THE WINDOW IS GOING TO FALL OUT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHICH I'M SURE WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDING IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE IT PRESENTS. CALLS TO CHRYSLER GO UNRESOLVED. CAN YOU HELP??? *AK
THIS COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS THE ONE FILED ON MARCH 12TH OF 01. PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. ON MY MAKE AND MODEL CHRYSLER SEBRING CONV. THERE ARE NO WEAR SENSORS ON THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS. ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE DO THEY HAVE THE REQUIRED HARDWARE TO DETECT BRAKE WEAR. ON MY CAR THE RIGHT INSIDE BRAKE PAD ALWAYS WEARS OUT FIRST. I HAVE H…
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THIS COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS THE ONE FILED ON MARCH 12TH OF 01. PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. ON MY MAKE AND MODEL CHRYSLER SEBRING CONV. THERE ARE NO WEAR SENSORS ON THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS. ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE DO THEY HAVE THE REQUIRED HARDWARE TO DETECT BRAKE WEAR. ON MY CAR THE RIGHT INSIDE BRAKE PAD ALWAYS WEARS OUT FIRST. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE MY BRAKES AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME MILEAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION IF REQUIRED TO VERIFY COMPLAINT IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. *JB
CONTINUAL FRONT END PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE COLLAPSING OF THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A "FATAL" DEFECT IF THE CAR WERE TRAVELLING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED. EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER REPAIR.. WHEELS JUST DO NOT COLLAPSE FOR NO REASON.
I OWN A 1998 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WHICH I HAVE MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD BY FIRESTONE THAT IT NEEDS A NEW RACK AND PINION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SILENT RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION OF THESE VEHICLES.*AK
THE IGNITION FUSE ON MY CAR KEEPS BLOWING. I HAVE HAD WIRING REPLACED AS WELL AS THE NEUTRAL CONTROL SWITCH, BUT NEITHER HAVE HELPED THE SITUATION. THE FUSES SEEM TO BLOW MOSTLY IN DAMP OR RAINY WEATHER. *NLM
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE: BRAKE WORK. AFTER HAVING MY BRAKES REPAIRED THREE TIMES I NOW HEAR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. I JUST REPLACED IT AS WELL AS THE ROTARS A SECOND TIME.*AK REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER HAS SEPARATED FROM THE GLASS JUST AS LISTED ON YOUR PROBLEMS.
Official recalls
104V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Jan 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
1EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.