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1997 Chrysler Sebring

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 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

Limited mileage data: 34 of 210 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports4 fire reports16 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

23 reports
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190,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RELEASE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOLENOID …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RELEASE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10786408

152,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000. THE VIN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502659

152,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Seat Belts

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MALFUNCTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED. THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELT CAN NOT BE WORN BY THE OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE MANU…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MALFUNCTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED. THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELT CAN NOT BE WORN BY THE OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. BOTH THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 152,200.

NHTSA ODI #10266532

120,000 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE OCCUPANTS ARE INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIMING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $150. THE VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE OCCUPANTS ARE INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIMING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $150. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251325

43,000 miles · Aug 7, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT WORKED. THE SEAT BELTS ARE CURRENTLY IN A LOCKED POSITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10237356

90,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Seat Belts

DT: THE SEAT BELTS ON DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE STRAP WILL GET STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR, IT WILL NOT MOVE. MOST OF THE TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IT HARDLY EVER WORKS. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 24, 2004. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE TO FIX IT. *AK THE CONSUMER THINKS THAT CHRYSLER SHO…

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DT: THE SEAT BELTS ON DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE STRAP WILL GET STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR, IT WILL NOT MOVE. MOST OF THE TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IT HARDLY EVER WORKS. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 24, 2004. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE TO FIX IT. *AK THE CONSUMER THINKS THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10134036

86,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DIDN'T UNLOCK. ONE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY REMOVE THE SEAT BELT OUT OF THE FULL RETRACT POSITION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083682

47,000 miles · Feb 18, 2004
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. DRIVERS SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD AT THE CHEST, BUT DID AT THE LAP. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059268

65,000 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. *JB *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019809

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2002
Seat Belts

TWO FRONT SEATBELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FOR MORE ROOM. CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO RIDE WITHOUT A SEATBELT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018419

Official recalls

5

02V186000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES, THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CAN FRAY CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V421002 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 18, 2000

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.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

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.

97V081002 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Aug 8, 1997

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

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

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.

EA99028 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened Sep 10, 1999 · Closed Jul 26, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99030 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA98014 · Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock

Opened May 29, 1998 · Closed Sep 14, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

ALLEGED FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM THAT EITHER ALLOWS THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR TO BE SHIFTED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED OR PREVENTS THEIGNITION KEY FROM BEING REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE PARK, OR ANY OTHER, POSITION.

EA97025 · Convertible Top Cover Disengagement

Opened Nov 24, 1997 · Closed Nov 17, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ALLEGED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.