1996 Chrysler Sebring

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Chrysler Sebring
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chrysler Sebring Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 132 complaints 1995 1996: 343 complaints 1996 1997: 210 complaints 1998: 267 complaints 1998 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
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

SUSPENSION 12%

12% of complaints: suspension — 41 distinct reports on file.

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. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030621

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION, VEHICLE STOPPED, REARENDED, THROWN INTO STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT, ENTIRE FRONT END SMASHED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960718

STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

1996 — complaint volume: 343
R 19960827 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 96V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970221 — visibility

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.

Campaign 97V015000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970617 — PE (closed 19971124)

CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT

I 19971124 — EA (closed 19981117)

CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT

R 19971215 — suspension

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 I

Campaign 97V201000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980529 — EA (closed 19980914)

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK

R 19981026 — power train

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 CONDIT

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.

Campaign 98V183000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990802 — suspension

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.

Campaign 99V066003 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000802 — RQ (closed 20010420)

LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT

R 20010521 — suspension

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 ADD

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 JOIN

Campaign 00V421002 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020805 — vehicle speed control

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 RECEIV

Campaign 02V186000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

R 20061006 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DAIMLE

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.

Campaign 06E088000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DA

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.

Campaign 06E091000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071119 — fuel system, gasoline

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 PRE

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.

Campaign 07E055000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — structure

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.

Campaign 99I004000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Chrysler Sebring — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99I004000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V123000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V015000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V201000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V183000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V066003 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V421002 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V186000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E088000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E091000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E055000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2005

WORST YEARS

◆ 2007 ◆ 1998 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

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:front:control arm:lower ball joint, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.