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: 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
What owners actually said
267 reports
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
201,000 miles · Jun 24, 2012
Structure
WHEN WE ACQUIRED OUR 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JUNE 2010, BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. WE COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOOR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTED $500 TO INSTALL THEM. IN APRIL 2012, THE PASSENGER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. NOW, JUNE 2012, THE DRIVER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THE PARTS INSTALLED TWO YEARS AGO HAVE BOTH BROKE…
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WHEN WE ACQUIRED OUR 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JUNE 2010, BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. WE COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOOR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTED $500 TO INSTALL THEM. IN APRIL 2012, THE PASSENGER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. NOW, JUNE 2012, THE DRIVER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THE PARTS INSTALLED TWO YEARS AGO HAVE BOTH BROKEN AGAIN. THESE PARTS ARE PLASTIC AND APPARENTLY DO NOT LAST VERY LONG. IS THERE A RECALL? WHAT DO WE DO? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462871
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2012
Unknown Or Other
PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING LOUD NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450275
96,000 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE UTILIZED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND UNLATCH THE DOORS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE UTILIZED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND UNLATCH THE DOORS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10446837
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
130,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
SuspensionInjury
1 VERY LITTLE NOTICE JUST HEARD SOME SQUEAKING 2 THE FAILURE WAS THE TIRE BUCKLED CAUSING US TO LOSE CONTROL 3 STILL NEEDING REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361320
156,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15-20 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO ALSO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS PROBLEMATIC BUT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY INCIDENTS THAT PRESENTED A SAFETY R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15-20 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO ALSO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS PROBLEMATIC BUT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY INCIDENTS THAT PRESENTED A SAFETY RISK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352996
130,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
PLZ NOTE 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRINGS DOOR LEVERS WILL BREAK ON YOU BOTH MINE DID AS WELL AS OTHERS I NOTICE ON THE INTERNET. FIRST IT WAS ONE DOOR HANDLE TRIED TO LIFT IT AND THE OTHER ONE BRAKES. SO FOR MTHS I HAD TO GET INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THEN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LEVER WONT OPEN. I READ SOME GUY…
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PLZ NOTE 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRINGS DOOR LEVERS WILL BREAK ON YOU BOTH MINE DID AS WELL AS OTHERS I NOTICE ON THE INTERNET. FIRST IT WAS ONE DOOR HANDLE TRIED TO LIFT IT AND THE OTHER ONE BRAKES. SO FOR MTHS I HAD TO GET INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THEN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LEVER WONT OPEN. I READ SOME GUY DOOR EVEN CAME OF WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. AND TO THERE IS A DISTRIBUTOR YOU WILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM I NOTICE WITH A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING IT WILL DIE ON YOU. YOU WILL TOW IT AND COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. AS FAR AS THE DOORS IM CALLING CHRYSLER IF ANY RECALLS ON BOTH DOORS..AND MOST LIKELY PAY HUNDREDS TO GET IT FIX BY SOME1. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334190
142,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
SuspensionCrashInjury
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V421002 MAKE CHRYSLER / MODEL SEBRING / YEAR 1998 [XXX] RECALL NUMBER 967 FRONT BALL JOINT FELL APART AND ALMOST KILLED BOTH OF US . WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICL…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V421002 MAKE CHRYSLER / MODEL SEBRING / YEAR 1998 [XXX] RECALL NUMBER 967 FRONT BALL JOINT FELL APART AND ALMOST KILLED BOTH OF US . WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE OR WE WOULD HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT IMMEDIATELY . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318785
159,221 miles · May 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
IT ATTEMPTS TO TURN OVER BUT JUST CANNOT CATCH, AS WELL AS UTILIZES FUEL EXTREMELY FAST. *TR
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 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.
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
1998 Chrysler Sebring Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year