IllustrationWHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO REVERSE IT PULLED OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED, BACKED INTO A BUILDING VERY FAST, JUMPING AT LEAST SEVEN FEET IN THE AIR, AND LANDING BACK ON ALL FOUR WHEELS BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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 →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: 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 reportsIN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS RAIN ENTERS THE VEHICLE FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE INSTALLING A CSS IN THE REAR SEAT, THE LOCKING LATCH PLATE (MADE OF PLASTIC) POPPED APART AND FELL OFF. SINCE IT NO LONGER WAS LOCKING, IT BECOMES A SLIDING LATCH PLATE AND WOULD REQUIRE A LOCKING CLIP TO ENSURE THE CSS WOULD STAY IN PLACE. THE SERVICE DEPT. POPPED THE PIECE BACK ON. THE LOCKING LATCH PLATE IS EASY TO PULL…
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WHILE INSTALLING A CSS IN THE REAR SEAT, THE LOCKING LATCH PLATE (MADE OF PLASTIC) POPPED APART AND FELL OFF. SINCE IT NO LONGER WAS LOCKING, IT BECOMES A SLIDING LATCH PLATE AND WOULD REQUIRE A LOCKING CLIP TO ENSURE THE CSS WOULD STAY IN PLACE. THE SERVICE DEPT. POPPED THE PIECE BACK ON. THE LOCKING LATCH PLATE IS EASY TO PULL APART....WILL THIS HOLD IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT?
THE LOWER OUTSIDE DOOR (GARNISH)PANELS HAVE PARTED FROM THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO ADVANCE WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMP IS HIGH, CAUSING PANELS TO WARP. AT THAT POINT THE PLASTIC CLIPS FAIL AND PANEL PARTS FROM CAR. DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR BUT PROBLEMS ARE NOT REMEDIATED. DESIGN OF MOLDING CLIPS MAY BE DE…
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THE LOWER OUTSIDE DOOR (GARNISH)PANELS HAVE PARTED FROM THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO ADVANCE WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMP IS HIGH, CAUSING PANELS TO WARP. AT THAT POINT THE PLASTIC CLIPS FAIL AND PANEL PARTS FROM CAR. DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR BUT PROBLEMS ARE NOT REMEDIATED. DESIGN OF MOLDING CLIPS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
WHEN TAKING THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND RAN INTO SOME TYPE OF BUSHES. *AK
SIDE DOOR PANELS KEEP FALLING OFF. ADVISED BY DEALER DUE TO DESIGN FLAW AIR GETS UNDER PANELS DURING DRIVING AND CAUSES THE PANEL TO COME OFF. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX...THAT THEY HAVE SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM...ONE MAN HAS HAD HIS DOOR PANELS REPLACED AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN TIMES. I HAVE BEE…
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SIDE DOOR PANELS KEEP FALLING OFF. ADVISED BY DEALER DUE TO DESIGN FLAW AIR GETS UNDER PANELS DURING DRIVING AND CAUSES THE PANEL TO COME OFF. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX...THAT THEY HAVE SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM...ONE MAN HAS HAD HIS DOOR PANELS REPLACED AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN TIMES. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THAT PANEL HAS NOT COME OFF DURING DRIVING. HOWEVER, IF IT DOES, IT COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING MOTORIST TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT SINCE PANEL IS VERY LARGE. I HAVE MY THIRD APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS FIXED AGAIN ON SEPT 29, 1999. PLEASE NOTE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS PBD5332@AOL.COM (I WAS UNABLE TO GO BACK AND CORRECT THIS ERROR).
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A T APPROX 30-40 MPH, GOT READY TO SLOW DOWN , AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE RPMS SHOT UP TO 4 OR 5. HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE CLIPS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR PANEL ARE PLASTIC AND EASILY BREAK, CAUSING THE DOOR PANEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DOOR FRAME. PLESASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DEFECTIVE THROTTLE LINKAGE CAUSED VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF UNEXPECTEDLY UP TO SPEEDS OF 50 MPH WHILE IN REVERSE, DRIVER SLAMMED ON BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING A BUILDING. *AK
I HAVE HAD 3 OUT OF 4 MY RIMS BEND (AT SPEED FROM 40 - 55 MPH), WHICH CLAUSED FLAT TIRES. THESE RIMS ARE HIGHLY UNRELIABLE!!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!! I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SEBRING OWNERS, AND ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS!!!
Official recalls
300V421002 · 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
4PE02082 · 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