1998 Chrysler Sebring
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 132 |
| 1996 | 343 |
| 1997 | 210 |
| 1998 | 267 |
| 1999 | 172 |
| 2000 | 93 |
| 2001 | 242 |
| 2002 | 210 |
| 2003 | 42 |
| 2004 | 220 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 120 |
| 2007 | 337 |
| 2008 | 238 |
| 2009 | 43 |
| 2010 | 86 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
25% of complaints: structure — 68 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and frame and members.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHEN WE ACQUIRED OUR 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JUNE 2010, BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. WE COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOOR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTED $500 TO INSTALL THEM. IN APRIL 2012, THE PASSENGER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120624
15% of complaints: service brakes — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH11% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and lower ball joint.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI THE CAR HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ONE IS THE CONTROL ARM IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121028
9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and cables.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
ON HIGHWAY 69 I PROCEEDED TO PASSING A SEMI NEAR CRAFT ROAD. AFTER PASSING THE SEMI I RELEASE MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. FINALLY AT 102 MPH BOUNCING MY FOOT ON AND OFF THE PEDAL WITH NO CHANGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201201
8% of complaints: wheels — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rim.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
AXEL AND BALL JOINT WENT OUT ON ME AFTER BUYING THIS CAR WITHIN 48 HOURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20141112
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Campaign 98V045002 — check if this car was fixed
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
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
DOOR PANEL/GARNISH SEPARATION
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
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: 1998-1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI LIMITED CONVE
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT AND RETAINING PIN. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT FLOOR MATS WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 01I012000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
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
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
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
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
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
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Chrysler Sebring — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for structure issues (68 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99I004000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V045002 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V183000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V421002 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I012000 (steering) 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
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Chrysler Sebring reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chrysler Sebring is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chrysler Sebring?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Chrysler Sebring have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.