Model year record

1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible recalls & problems

The 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible has 3 safety recalls and 92 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (23 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints92filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 27, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10E05900022,689 vehicles

Problem: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

SuspensionOct 9, 2009

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 09E0560005,787 vehicles

Problem: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sebring Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sebring Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift	23	2	0	1	56,000 mi
Seat beltsFront; Front › Retractor	21	2	0	2	99,516 mi
StructureBody › Roof and pillars; Body › Trunk lid	18	0	0	6	72,013 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring	13	0	0	0	50,525 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front	10	0	0	0	107,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Fan	9	0	1	0	100,670 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system › Injectors	7	0	1	0	74,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	6	3	0	0	—
SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist system	6	0	0	0	68,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	4	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	4	0	7	28,567 mi
Engine	4	0	0	0	104,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
TAKATA RECALL. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM, AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF HAVING NO BRAKES. I HAVE NO TYPE OF BRAKES AT ALL. WHEN TAKEN OFF PARKING, EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR WILL BEGIN TO MOVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED AS IT WAS LETTING LESS POWER GO THROUGH. THIS HAPPENS AS THE CAR SITS IN PARKING, AS WELL AS, WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SAID THAT THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS. THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES RADIO WORKS, SOMETIMES, LIGHTS GET STUCK ON.
Feb 25, 2019 · 150,000 miles
Suspension
DRIVING DOWN ROAD, AROUND 10 MILES A HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT CLUNK ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT OUT TO CHECK, AND THE ENTIRE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON WAS LAYING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE RIM.
Nov 8, 2018 · 108,000 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 24, 1020 BELMONT ST, BROCKTON, MA, 02301) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE CAMSHAFT TIMING AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO ITS CONDITION. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Aug 25, 2017 · 170,000 miles
Seat belts
CAR SHAKES AT 75 MILES PER HOUR..FROM THE FRONT END.
Jun 6, 2017 · 170,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/3/2017*CN
Mar 23, 2015 · 129,000 miles
Engine
CAR WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. WILL RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 TRIES. HAPPENS AFTER FILLING TANK. 1ST THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS. BUT TRIED DIFFERENT STATIONS. SAME PROBLEM. SPORADIC. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I SHUT OFF CAR AND THEN ATTEMPT TO START IT AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON HIGH SPEED ROADWAYS. *TR
Mar 26, 2015 · 140,000 miles
Seat belts
FRONT SEAT BELTS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. IT IS GETTING WORSE, IN THE LAST 3 DAYS, IT HAS LOCKED UP TWICE AND CURRENTLY THEY ARE LOCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEATS TO BE USED *TR
Jul 2, 2007 · 97,000 miles
Seat belts
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCK UP AND DO NOT RELEASE. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BUT MOSTLY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY TIGHTEN & TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF ALMOST BEING PAINFUL. MECHANICS DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS SHOULD HAPPEN UNLESS IT IS THE SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE WHICH CAN ONLY BE DONE BY A DEALER. ONE WORD "EXPENSIVE!" THIS IS A SAFETY & LAW ISSUE AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER FOR FAULTY SAFETY PRODUCT AND OPERATION. AFTER MY RESEARCH I SEE MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS OVER AND OVER. THIS IS A REPETITIVE PROBLEM. *TR
Aug 1, 2013 · 160,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosed
THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL BEFORE THE OPERATORS EXITED THE VEHICLE.MOST OF THE CRASHES WERE MINOR AND INVOLVED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN UNATTENDED CHILDREN MOVED THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN THE OPERATOR WAS STRUCK BY A ROLL-AWAY VEHICLE AFTER PARKING AND EXITING.ALL INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE INTERLOCK PIN THAT RIDES IN THE INTERLOCK LEVER SLOT WITHIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE…
RQ03005 · opened Apr 8, 2003 · closed Jul 16, 2003