Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 132 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Suspension. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
132 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 1999
Structure
THE SUPPORT MECHANISM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE LID SLAMMED CLOSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! THE LID IS VERY HEAVY AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY TO ANY PERSON REACHING UNDER IT TO REMOVE LUGGAGE, THE SPARE TIRE, ETC.. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER VALERIE'S FIRST CAR…
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THE SUPPORT MECHANISM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID OPEN, SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE LID SLAMMED CLOSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! THE LID IS VERY HEAVY AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY TO ANY PERSON REACHING UNDER IT TO REMOVE LUGGAGE, THE SPARE TIRE, ETC.. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER VALERIE'S FIRST CAR. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SNAPPED THE MECHANISM BACK IN PLACE. IT CAME OFF AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS. ON 5/16/1999 I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE AND TOLD MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY WENT TO MILTON RUBEN CHEVROLET ON 5/19/1999 WITH THE CAR AND SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO MR. CAL REUBER - MANAGER AT THE BODY SHOP DEPARTMENT. HE EXAMINED THE TRUNK AND TOLD US THAT THE MECHANISM WAS WORN OUT AND THAT NEW PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. HE INSRUCTED MY WIFE TO GO TO THE FRONT OFFICE. A LADY NAMED MICHELLE CAME OUTSIDE AND WROTE DOWN THE SERIAL NUMBER, THE MODEL, COLOR, ETC.. SHE ALSO WROTE DOWN MY DAUGHTER'S NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER. SHE SAID THAT THE SHE WOULD CALL WITHIN A WEEK. SHE NEVER DID. TODAY, I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO CALL AND THEY SEEM NOT TO HAVE ANY INFORMATION. AGAIN SHE SAID SHE WOULD CALL BACK. NEVER DID. I TOLD MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER TO GO TO THE DEALER PERSONNALLY. THERE MR. CAL REUBER AND MS. MICHELLE APPEARED TO HAVE A HARD TIME REMEMBERING THEIR PROMISSES. I AM CONCERN THAT DELAY TACTICS ARE BEING USED WITH US IN ORDER TO MAKE US WAIT UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT AT 60,000 MILES AVOIDING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. I HAVE LOOKED AT THE MECHANISM AND IT IS A VERY POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER CHRYSLER CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! PLEASE HELP US PREVENT AN UNNECESSARY SERIOUS ACCIDENT! PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS IF NECESSARY. THANKS, RAFAEL L. RIVERA - A CONCERNED FATHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707095
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT STEADY SPEED, WHEN YOU APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL TO EXCEL CAR GETS STUCK IN THE GEAR IT WAS TRAVELING IN, YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER PLACE IT IN PARK AND START OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #706103
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
@15000 MILES THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE DONE @THAT TIME WE COMPLAIMED THEY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705876
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
CONSUMER'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GASOLINE STATION . THE FUEL LINE COMPRESSION CONNECTION POINT HAD A FUEL LEAK, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO BE IGNITED BY THE HEAT WITHIN THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836347
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AND FAILURE OF SHOULDER BELT TO LOCK UPON FRONT END COLLISION CAUSED DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAIN CUTS AND SCRAPES TO FORHEAD AND BRUISE TO THE LEFT HIP.
NHTSA ODI #544754
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & DID NOT GO OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED THE "O" RINGS WERE DEFECTIVE & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836104
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Air Bags
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835973
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781959
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Suspension
THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 ON CHRYSLER SEBRINGS BUILT FROM JULY 1994 TO JULY 1995 FOR A LOWER CONTROL ARM DEFECT. THE FACTORY LUBRICATED BALL JOINT WOULD DRY OUT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WOULD COLLAPSE. THIS HAPPENED TO MY 1995 SEBRING. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS BUILT DURING THAT TIME THEY CLAIM THE VIN # WAS…
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THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 ON CHRYSLER SEBRINGS BUILT FROM JULY 1994 TO JULY 1995 FOR A LOWER CONTROL ARM DEFECT. THE FACTORY LUBRICATED BALL JOINT WOULD DRY OUT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WOULD COLLAPSE. THIS HAPPENED TO MY 1995 SEBRING. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS BUILT DURING THAT TIME THEY CLAIM THE VIN # WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLS THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO REPLACE THE PART WITH A USED 96 PART, I AM AFRAID IT MY BE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, NOT THE TO MENTION THE LEFT CONTROL ARM STILL ON THE CAR AS ORIGINAL. I THINK THE LEAST THEY SHOULD DO IS ONCE THE PART IS ON MY CAR THEY SHOULD TEST THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FREE OF CHARGE AND REPLACE THEM IF THEY FAIL. I ALSO SHOULD BE RE-IMBRUST FOR MY $500.00 I HAD TO PAY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BECAUSE IF THAT PART DID FAIL, IT ALSO CAUSED THE SNAPPING OF MY HALF SHAFT ON THE LEFT SIDE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH SUGGESTIONS AS TO0 WHAT I CAN DO I FEEL I WILL BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR UNTIL I KNOW FOR SURE WHAT HAPPENED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703084
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1999
Suspension
RECALL 97V20100O; WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH WHEN A DIP IN ROAD APPEARED. DROVE THROUGH DIP & THE ENTIRE FRONT END HAD COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER PRIOR TO SALE & NO PROBLEM. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD SEPARTATED. HAD NO STEERING OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…
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RECALL 97V20100O; WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH WHEN A DIP IN ROAD APPEARED. DROVE THROUGH DIP & THE ENTIRE FRONT END HAD COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER PRIOR TO SALE & NO PROBLEM. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD SEPARTATED. HAD NO STEERING OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. INFORMED OWNER IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WOULD BE CALLING OWNER BACK. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
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
5
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint
Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99008 · Ball Joint
Opened Feb 1, 1999 · Closed Apr 13, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
PE98001 · Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
Opened Jan 7, 1998 · Closed May 29, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
ALLEGED FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM EITHER ALLOWS THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION OR PREVENTS THE IGNITION KEY FROM BEING REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE PARK, OR ANY OTHER, POSITION.
1995 Chrysler Sebring Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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