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1996 Chrysler SebringProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 343 owner complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Sebring median · #1 of 16 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints34375 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage83kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chrysler Sebring has problems

343 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension705
Service brakes, hydraulic526
Power train475
Engine and engine cooling392
Structure392
Electrical system377
Air bags3125
Visibility282
Vehicle speed control193
13 other systems689

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1996 Chrysler Sebring recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 02V-186 · Jul 8, 2002 · 88,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 00V-421 · Dec 18, 2000 · 393,796 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 99V-066 · Apr 5, 1999 · 165,857 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 98V-183 · Aug 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 97V-201 · Nov 13, 1997 · 599,000 vehicles

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Recall 97V-015 · Feb 10, 1997 · 39,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT CIRCUIT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Recall 96V-123 · Jul 2, 1996 · 22,500 vehicles

Risk. A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chrysler.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Sebring year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sebring median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Chrysler Sebring safety ratings

1996 Chrysler Sebring 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENTEA97025 · closed Nov 17, 1998
    Led to recall 99I004000
  2. AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCKEA98014 · closed Sep 14, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-183
  3. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
  4. CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENTPE97029 · closed Nov 24, 1997
    No recall
  5. LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINTRQ00015 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-421
In owners' words

What Sebring owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

LOWER LATERAL ARM BROKE ON OUR 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER RECALL. THIS IS THE 3RD MAJOR FAILURE AND INCONVENIENCE OF THIS PART. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 8 MOTHS AGO. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE AS WELL AS A MECHANICAL DEFECT. *JB
Complaint 10179050 · Jan 18, 2007 · 90,000 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FLIPPED SIDEWAYS, THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SHEERED OFF THE OIL FILTER AND KNOCKED IT FROM THE MANIFOLD. THIS OCCURRED ON AN ICY ROAD DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE DEALERSHIP AND…
Complaint 10149901 · Feb 9, 2006 · 107,000 miles
DT: JUNE 30 2005 THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WAS A NOISE, SPARKS WERE FLYING, AND THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND BOUNCED OFF A CURVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY INSPECTED IN MAY AND NO…
Complaint 10128557 · Jul 13, 2005 · 70,000 miles

Own a 1996 Sebring?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.