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1998 Chrysler Sebring

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sebring years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring are substantially higher than the model-year median of 132.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 62 of 267 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.

  • Structure. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports5 fire reports19 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

19 reports
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131,000 miles · Oct 28, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingStructure

I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI THE CAR HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ONE IS THE CONTROL ARM IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A LIST OF OTHER EVAC PROBLEMS - I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS - PLEASE ADVICE - NEED HELP - CALLED CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS AND FIRST THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED - TH…

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I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI THE CAR HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ONE IS THE CONTROL ARM IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A LIST OF OTHER EVAC PROBLEMS - I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS - PLEASE ADVICE - NEED HELP - CALLED CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS AND FIRST THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED - THEN THEY TELL ME THEY CAN CHARGE ME $149.00 TO RESET THE COMPUTER CATALYST(G)/NMHCCATALYST(D) EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM(G)/ UNSUPPORTIVE(D) 02 SENSOR(G) EXHAUST GAS SENSOR(D) 02 SENSOR HEATER (G) PM FILTER (D) EGR/VVT (G,D) PO455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (LARGE LEAK) MY HEADLAMPS ARE YELLOW AND MY REAR WINDOW LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOLD SANDWICHED INTO THE GLASS AND DEFROST...ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482488

129,939 miles · May 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THEN NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THREE OF THE FR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THEN NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THREE OF THE FREEZE PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ENOUGH PRESSURE HAD BUILT UP TO CAUSE ALL THE LIQUIDS TO RELEASE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,939.

NHTSA ODI #10399597

97,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND IN INTERSECTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197985

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: VEHICLE HAS A HOLE BURNT IN THE GAS TANK FROM HEAT SHIELD/EXHAUST. COULD SMELL FUMES WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND COULD SEE THE HOLE. VEHICLE PARKED SINCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10124798

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING NOISE.*MR THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOUND PUT COULD NOT FIND WHERE IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117694

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109377

38,600 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE IN THE DRIVEWA A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CYLINDER GASKET BROKE, AND CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CYLINDER GASKET MUST BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062945

70,000 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT TIMING BELT AND ENGINE FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044639

54,000 miles · Jan 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC

NHTSA ODI #10005994

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

CRUISE CONTROL FROM PURCHASE DIDN'T WORK, SALESMAN TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE TRAVELING 55 MPH FOR IT WORK. TURNED OUT, IT WAS BROKEN, COST ME $100 TO REPAIR. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CAR DEAD, TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A BATERY. DEALERSHIP PAID THE COST. 2ND MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND …

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CRUISE CONTROL FROM PURCHASE DIDN'T WORK, SALESMAN TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE TRAVELING 55 MPH FOR IT WORK. TURNED OUT, IT WAS BROKEN, COST ME $100 TO REPAIR. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CAR DEAD, TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A BATERY. DEALERSHIP PAID THE COST. 2ND MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND POPPING NOISE, TURNED OUT I NEEDED A SPARK PLUG. I REQUESTED THEY CHANGE THEM ALL. THEY WOULDN'T. 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CHECK ENGING LIGHT ON AGAIN, CAR RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH, POPPING NOISE AGAIN, FILLED UP WITH GAS, CAR WOULDN'T START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IT. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I WANT TO FILE A LEMON. LAW. I CAN'T AFFORD A $400/MO PAYMNET AND PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED ON A MONTHLY BASIS. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #754413

Official recalls

3

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.

98V045002 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

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

4

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.

PE00007 · Door Panel/garnish Separation

Opened Feb 2, 2000 · Closed Jul 18, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ALLEGED THAT THE PLASTIC GARNISH PANELS MOUNTED ON DOORS DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTINGS, SOMETIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

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