CLIENT PETRA MONIKA WINN BURNED TO DEATH WHEN THE STEEL (CALIFORNIA) GAS TANK ON HER 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SPLIT AT A WELD DURING REAR END IMPACT. *TR 10/31/08 ADD INFORMATION *CW
2004 Chrysler Sebring
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
166 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 32 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.
What owners actually said
220 reportsBOUGHT A USED 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING. NOTICED 1000KMS LATER THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH. SAW THE OIL WAS BLACK. TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE. CAR WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. ABOUT 1000KM LATER PROBLEMS AROSE. YET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE WAS NEED FOR BLACK OIL. THIS CONTINUED FOR MONTHS. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO MAKE THE SWITCH…
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BOUGHT A USED 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING. NOTICED 1000KMS LATER THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH. SAW THE OIL WAS BLACK. TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE. CAR WAS FINE FOR AWHILE. ABOUT 1000KM LATER PROBLEMS AROSE. YET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE WAS NEED FOR BLACK OIL. THIS CONTINUED FOR MONTHS. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO SYNTHETIC OIL WHEN MY CAR GAVE OUT ON ME. MECHANIC SAID HE THOUGHT EXHAUST WAS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE B/C OF POOR INTERNALS, SAID HIS COUSIN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. P.S. CAR GAVE OUT ON THE 401 THANK GOD IT WAS 1 AM! *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. FOR 1 YEAR BEGINNING IN OCTOBER 2006, I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD STALLING PROBLEMS, WHEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES THE CRA WOULD EITHER STALL OR JERK FORWARD. O…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. FOR 1 YEAR BEGINNING IN OCTOBER 2006, I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS UNABLE TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD STALLING PROBLEMS, WHEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES THE CRA WOULD EITHER STALL OR JERK FORWARD. ON JULY 26, 2008, I HAD TO HAVE THE TIE RODS REPLACED. SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE I ALSO HAD TO HAVE A BEARING REPLACED. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, BUT, HAVE HAD VEHICLES IN THE PAST THAT NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. WHEN I HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED (AT STS), THEY ALSO CHECKED ON THE STALLING. THE ONLY THING THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND WAS "DIRTY THROTTLE PLATES" WHICH DID NOT FIX THE SITUATION. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON MY VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON WITH MY MODEL, YEAR, AND VIN NUMBER. THIS IS ONE REFERENCE I USED: HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM/2004_CHRYSLER_SEBRING_AND_ENGINE%20FAILURE.HTM. *TR
UPPER REAR STRUT MOUNTS FOR 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEVERE CORROSION CAUSING MOUNTS TO FAIL. IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME STRUT ASSEMBLY COULD WEAR THROUGH INSIDE SIDE-WALL OF TIRE AND CAUSE BLOWOUT, POSSIBLY WRECK. REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT A MUFFLER/SHOCK DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE A BROKEN UPPER STRUT PLATE AND BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT REAR, BECAUSE THESE PARTS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 4-YEARS OLD. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED …
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT A MUFFLER/SHOCK DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE A BROKEN UPPER STRUT PLATE AND BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT REAR, BECAUSE THESE PARTS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 4-YEARS OLD. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE LEFT REAR OF MY VEHICLE, BUT THE SHOP COULD NOT LOCATE ANY REPAIR PARTS. THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE PARTS BREAKING THE DEALERS CAN'T KEEP THE PARTS ON HAND. I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER CORP AND OTHER PARTS DEALERS; THAT THERE ARE OVER 9,000 OF THESE STRUT-PLATES ON BACK ORDER. THIS MAKES DRIVING THE CAR UNSAFE, AND WITH THESE MANY BREAKDOWNS THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL TO REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK IS INOPERATIVE, PREVENTING HIM FROM OPENING THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT HAS TO WAIT 6-8 WEEKS TO HAVE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK IS INOPERATIVE, PREVENTING HIM FROM OPENING THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT HAS TO WAIT 6-8 WEEKS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
I HAD OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN 4 YEARS WHEN THE REAR STRUT MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE FROM CORROSION AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO HAVE THE REAR MOUNTS AND STRUTS REPLACED. I EMAILED CHRYSLER AND THEY RESPONDED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY FOR THOSE PARTS THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. *TR
2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS BROKEN FROM CORROSION. REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. BACK ORDERED BY THE THOUSANDS. *TR
INCIDENT: OUTER, OR UPPER PLATES FOR STRUT ASSEMBLY DETERIORATED; VEHICLE DEEMED UNSAFE TO OPERATE; PARTS ON NATIONWIDE BACKORDER; APPROX. 3,000 VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY THERMOSTAT OVERHEATING IN 2007. THE CAR WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS OLD. I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT TWO YEARS LATER. THEN THE ENGINE HAD A TAPPING NOISE IN IT AND THE CAR STARTED GOING DOWN HILL AFTER THAT POINT. *TR
Official recalls
415V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 2, 2015
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
04V336000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Jul 8, 2004
ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE LEFT HAND REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT BEING IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE LEFT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BOLT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
04V313000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 29, 2004
ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
03V443000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Nov 4, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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