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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

What owners actually said

210 reports
11,380 miles · Mar 23, 2003
Power Train

CHRYSLER 1997 LXI COUPE, 11330 MILES. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WENT AND FILLINGS FROM TRANSMISSION GOT INTO RADIATOR, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AND CHRYSLER DEALER AND ZONE OFFICE REFUSED TO HELP WITH COST, THEY TOLD ME CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COULD ACCEPT IF CAR WAS MISUSED OR HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE, CAR WAS GARAGE KEPT AND AS…

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CHRYSLER 1997 LXI COUPE, 11330 MILES. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WENT AND FILLINGS FROM TRANSMISSION GOT INTO RADIATOR, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AND CHRYSLER DEALER AND ZONE OFFICE REFUSED TO HELP WITH COST, THEY TOLD ME CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COULD ACCEPT IF CAR WAS MISUSED OR HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE, CAR WAS GARAGE KEPT AND AS YOU CAN SEE HARDLY EVER USED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010903

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2003
Wheels

THE RIMS BENT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN DEFLATED TIRES. THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008134

15 miles · Dec 26, 2002
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL AT 62,000 MILES. WHY? MY WATER PUMP WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE PLUGS AND WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS STARING TO GO. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE IS RACING BUT THE CAR IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING UP WITH THE…

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MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL AT 62,000 MILES. WHY? MY WATER PUMP WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE PLUGS AND WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS STARING TO GO. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE IS RACING BUT THE CAR IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING UP WITH THE ENGINE. SURE SIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10000602

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainWheels

WHILE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT POOR DESIGN SET UP AN IRREGULAR VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL WHICH GRADUALLY WORKED THE LUG NUTS LOOSE AND FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #568503

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002
Power TrainSuspensionVisibility

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND THE VEHICLE TO FALL ON FRONT BUMPER AND FRONT RIGHT FENDER. BOTH THE BUMPER AND THE FENDER WERE DAMAGED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #568003

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021872

106,800 miles · Oct 21, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLES AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR SCC

NHTSA ODI #8021241

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Electrical System

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSORS TO BE ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE LIGHT OFF AND THEN THE IGNITION FUSES STARTED TO BURN OUT. THEY ONLY BURN OUT WHEN YOU TURN RIGHT. IT ALSO HAPPENED AT A LOW SPEED OF 35 MILES PER HOUR. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #767602

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V186000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE; RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL AND CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OVER A MONTH AGO. OWNER WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL. OWNER HAS CHECKED BACK WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, ON 9-12-02, STILL N…

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NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V186000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE; RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL AND CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OVER A MONTH AGO. OWNER WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL. OWNER HAS CHECKED BACK WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, ON 9-12-02, STILL NO PARTS, THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MAUNFACTURER ON THE SAME DAY THEN THE LOCAL DEALER SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AND REPLACED THE PART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018780

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.