MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chrysler Sebring

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Chrysler Sebring
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
343
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 132 complaints 1996: 343 complaints 1996 343 1997: 210 complaints 1998: 267 complaints 1999: 172 complaints 2000: 93 complaints 2001: 242 complaints 2001 2002: 210 complaints 2003: 42 complaints 2004: 220 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 120 complaints 2007: 337 complaints 2007 2008: 238 complaints 2009: 43 complaints 2010: 86 complaints 2010 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1995: 132 complaints 1996: 343 complaints 1996 343 1997: 210 complaints 1998: 267 complaints 1999: 172 complaints 1999 2000: 93 complaints 2001: 242 complaints 2001 2002: 210 complaints 2003: 42 complaints 2003 2004: 220 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2005 2006: 120 complaints 2007: 337 complaints 2007 2008: 238 complaints 2009: 43 complaints 2009 2010: 86 complaints 2011: 3 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1995: 132 complaints 1995 1996: 343 complaints 1996 343 1997: 210 complaints 1997 1998: 267 complaints 1998 1999: 172 complaints 1999 2000: 93 complaints 2000 2001: 242 complaints 2001 2002: 210 complaints 2002 2003: 42 complaints 2003 2004: 220 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2005 2006: 120 complaints 2006 2007: 337 complaints 2007 2008: 238 complaints 2008 2009: 43 complaints 2009 2010: 86 complaints 2010 2011: 3 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013

1996: 343 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995132
1996343
1997210
1998267
1999172
200093
2001242
2002210
200342
2004220
200575
2006120
2007337
2008238
200943
201086
20113
20120
20130

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

23% · 80 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and lower arm.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I was involved in an accident caused by a defective front end. The ball joint fell totally out of the control arm causing major damage to vehicle under carriage and panels.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-21

Service brakes

18% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Sebring. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact crashed the vehicle into a ditch. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-08

Power train

15% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Trans cable broke caused the car not to shift out of gear at all.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-18

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Structure

11% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing roof and pillars and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Trunk struts rusted and broke and fell on consumer, hiting his head. Dealership was aware of problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-17

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 343 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-08-27Service brakes, hydraulic96V123000 The power brake booster vacuum hose was improperly installed on the intake manifold vacuum nipple.

    Remedy: Dealers will fully install the intake manifold vacuum hose to the vacuum nipple on the intake manifold.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-02-21Visibility97V015000 The electrical contacts in the power mirror switch can accumulate road salt due to water entering into the switch.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power mirror switch with a newly designed switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1997-06-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-11-24 Convertible top cover disengagement
  5. I
    1997-11-24Engineering analysisClosed 1998-11-17 Convertible top cover disengagement
  6. R
    1997-12-15Suspension97V201000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1998-05-29Engineering analysisClosed 1998-09-14 Automatic transaxle ignition interlock
  8. R
    1998-10-26Power train98V183000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1999-08-02Suspension99V066003 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2000-08-02Recall queryClosed 2001-04-20 Lower contrtol arm ball joint
  11. R
    2001-05-21Suspension00V421002 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2002-08-05Vehicle speed control02V186000 On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5L V6 engines, the throttle control cable can fray causing the throttle to bind or stick.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable assembly. Owner notification began August 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
  14. R
    2006-10-06Fuel system, gasoline06E088000 Certain tigas fuel pump modules manufactured between June 1 and September 24, 2006, sold under various brand names and p/nos. These fuel pump modules are sold as aftermarket for use in certain…

    Remedy: Ti automotive will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pump modules free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2006. Owners may contact ti automotive toll-free at 1-877-461-1834.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E091000 Certain airtex fuel pump modules, p/nos. E7089m, E7094M, E7113M, and E7129M, manufactured between June 1 and September 24, 2006. These fuel pump modules were sold as aftermarket for use in certain…

    Remedy: Airtex will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pump modules free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact airtex toll-free at 1-866-867-3759.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2007-11-19Fuel system, gasoline07E055000 Certain airtex fuel pump module assemblies, p/n E7081H, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. The wall of the flared fitting of the fuel pump is not thick enough to…

    Remedy: Airtex will notify owners and replace the fuel pumps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2007. Owners can contact airtex automotive at 800-880-3056.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    Date not on fileStructure99I004000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners will receive an improved convertible top cover instruction label and installation instructions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Chrysler Sebring — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 80 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 52 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99I004000 · Structure
  • Recall 96V123000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V015000 · Visibility
  • Recall 97V201000 · Suspension
  • Recall 98V183000 · Power train
  • Recall 99V066003 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V421002 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V186000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E088000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E091000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E055000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Chrysler Sebring reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chrysler Sebring is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.