IllustrationWHILE PULLING INSIDE THE PARKING LOT VEHICLE COLLASPSED TO THE GROUND. DRIVER NOTICED THAT RIGHT SIDE COLLASPED,BUT THE LEFT SIDE WAS NORMAL. DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE, AND THEN CONTACTED A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sebring 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
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
What owners actually said
210 reportsENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH A EXHAUST MANIFOLD- STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! DRIVING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAYS T…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH A EXHAUST MANIFOLD- STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! DRIVING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAYS THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL. *AK
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP SINCE THE CAR HIT AROUND 57,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE KEEPS RACING AND THE SPEED DOESN'T KEEP UP. THE CAR NOW HAS 87,000 MILES ON IT AND IS SLIPPING AGAIN. *JB
1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 6 CYL. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES HAD TO BE REPLACED $1,808.00. ENGINE FAILED 86,000 MILES $2,500. HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALUMINUM WHEELS EASILY DAMAGED REPLACED ALL 4. I WOULD NEVER IN LIFE BY ANOTHER CHRYSLER. WOULD NOT EVEN TAKE A FREE ONE! BOUGHT IN 1997 AS A DEMO. PROBLEMS SINCE 1 …
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1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 6 CYL. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES HAD TO BE REPLACED $1,808.00. ENGINE FAILED 86,000 MILES $2,500. HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALUMINUM WHEELS EASILY DAMAGED REPLACED ALL 4. I WOULD NEVER IN LIFE BY ANOTHER CHRYSLER. WOULD NOT EVEN TAKE A FREE ONE! BOUGHT IN 1997 AS A DEMO. PROBLEMS SINCE 1 WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. I DON'T LOOK THEIR DIRECTION WHEN PASSING DEALERSHIPS. HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY FOR 3 YEARS PRIOR TO SEBRING. NO MAINTENANCE ISSUES. *JB
THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCCIDENT THAT HAS HAPPENED BUT THE UNSAFE PART ABOUT THIS CAR IS THAT EVERONE OF THE LUGS:NUTS ON THE WHEELS WERE NOT THE CORRECT LUGS:NUTS FOR THE CAR AND THEREFORE MY WHEELS WERE NOT ON MY CAR SECURELY. I HAVE MADE ROAD TRIPS TO FLORIDA AND ALABAMA WITH MY CAR BEING VERY UNSAFE.*AK
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
WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT USED. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT OR A SENSOR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR LIGHT BURN OUT, AND THAT IS WAS NOT GETTING OXYGEN TO THE ENGINE. I PAID $…
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WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT USED. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT OR A SENSOR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR LIGHT BURN OUT, AND THAT IS WAS NOT GETTING OXYGEN TO THE ENGINE. I PAID $250. ON A TUESDAY TO GET THAT FIXED. THAT WEDNESDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS ABOUT 3 SENSORS IN THE ENGINE, AND ANOTHER ONE HAS GONE OUT. AND IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $250. TO REPLACE THAT ONE. THIS WAS ALL IN A 2 DAY SPAN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS, OR WILL I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TILL ALL THE SENSORS ARE REPLACED, AND HOW WILL I KNOW IF THEY ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. VERY UPSET COSTUMER. AND I WORK FOR CHRYSLER, THIS IS TERRIBLE BUSINESS. *LA
THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 35 - 40 AND AS A RESULT, MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND WE VEERED ACROSS THE LANE OF THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. *JB
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
I HAVE CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ABOUT THE DRAINING HOLES OF MY SEBRING AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I'VE ASKED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY SAID THAT THE HOLES ARE TOO SMALL. MY CAR WILL GET DESTROYED AT THIS RATE. WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER THEY THOUGHT …
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I HAVE CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ABOUT THE DRAINING HOLES OF MY SEBRING AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I'VE ASKED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY SAID THAT THE HOLES ARE TOO SMALL. MY CAR WILL GET DESTROYED AT THIS RATE. WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OR THE SEALS OF THE WINDOWS. NOW I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.
Official recalls
502V186000 · 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
5PE02082 · 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.