FaultScore report

2003 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems

Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with NHTSA between 2003 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 10 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chrysler Sebring Convertible All 2003 cars

FaultScore 31/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chrysler Sebring Convertible.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

10,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

61%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 21: Against the median year of the Chrysler Sebring Convertible. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0: 0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100: 61% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Click any bar to open that year's report.

99 98 61 136 97 145 175 41 73 62

96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 6 14.6%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

Airbags 6 14.6%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 6 14.6%

Median failure at 59,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 5 12.2%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 9.8%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Body & Structure 4 9.8%

Median failure at 10 miles

Wheels 2 4.9%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 4.9%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 2.4%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

Seats 1 2.4%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 2.4%

Median failure at 34,500 miles

Lights 1 2.4%

Median failure at 35 miles

Brakes 1 2.4%

Electrical System 1 2.4%

Median failure at 10 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 9 27.3%

1,000 – 9,999 miles 7 21.2%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 3.0%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 8 24.2%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 15.2%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 9.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2003 peak 7 Mar 2018

Recalls on the 2003 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

10E059000 27 Dec 2010

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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.

09E056000 9 Oct 2009

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

07E023000 29 Mar 2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 17 Mar 2018 at 90,000 miles Mission Viejo, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL; AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON & OFF INTERMITTENTLY FROM STARTUP TO SHUTDOWN, ANYWHERE - WTF?

NHTSA complaint #11079947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Nov 2017 at 35 miles Winter Haven, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PAST FEW WEEKS BEEN NOTICING ISSUES WITH THE CAR. 1. SUN VISORS HIT ME IN THE FACE 2. CAR STALLS TO START 3. LIGHTS HARDLY WORK EVEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT ON HIGH BEAMS 3. FLUID DOESN'T STAY IN THE CAR 4. CAR CUTS OFF IN MID DRIVING 5. CAR ALSO CAN CUT OFF WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKES . CAR BACK TIRE SMOKES. WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT WITH ANYONE CAR CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING I WAS ABLE TO OWN MY OWN BRING CAR TO STOP

NHTSA complaint #11041918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Nov 2017 at 35 miles Winter Haven, FL

ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #11041918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Nov 2017 at 35 miles Winter Haven, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #11041918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 May 2011 Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. I RECENTLY STARTED NOTICING PROBLEMS AROUND 88,000 MILES.. I NOW HAVE 92,000 MILES AND SEE ENGINE COOLANT IS BLACK.. ONLINE IT APPEARS A COMMON PROBLEM IS OIL MIXING WITH COOLANT.. APPARENTLY I HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE THE 2.7L ENGINE THAT IS PRONE TO SLUDGE AND OTHER PROBLEMS. I NOTICED THE CAR WAS USING MORE OIL RECENTLY EVEN BEFORE MY 3,000 OIL CHANGE.. NOW I MIGHT HAVE THE REASON WHY... I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE HELP EVERYONE WHO PURCHASED A CHRYSLER PRODUCT WITH THIS 2.7L ENGINE...

NHTSA complaint #10402298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Apr 2010 at 70,000 miles Mililani, HI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT AT APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

NHTSA complaint #10323370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Feb 2010 at 60,200 miles Tannersville, PA

AIR BAGS

2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING 61,000 MILES DEFECTIVE NOW BROKEN CLOCK SPRING THAT OPERATES AIR BAG AND HORN, NOW STEERING WHEEL BINDS, VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS, MOSTLY BREAKS WHEN ITS COLD OUT. HOW COME CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL ON THE CARAVANS FOR SAME REASON BUT NOT ON SEBRINGS? PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #10315016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Feb 2009 Hawthorne, NJ

WHEELS

I HAVE A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE THAT HAS CHROME/ALUMINUM WHEELS. I NOTICED THAT I WAS LOSING SUBSTANTIAL PRESSURE IN MY TIRES ON A REGULAR BASIS. THINKING THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, AND THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER IN WYCKOFF NJ WHERE I PURCHASED IT. UPON INSPECTION, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WHEELS AND THAT I SHOULD MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND, WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR (NON-CHRYSLER) MECHANIC, HE POINTED OUT THAT MY RIMS WERE CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE AND THAT THIS AFFECTED THE BEAD ON THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO LOSE PRESSURE. HE INDICATED THAT HE HAD CALLED CHRYSLER AND BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEBRING RIMS. I SENT AN INTERNET COMPLAINT TO CHRYSLER'S WEBSITE BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. MY MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ALL HE COULD DO, INSTEAD OF TOTAL REPLACEMENT, WAS GRIND DOWN THE OLD RIMS AND TAR OVER THEM AS A STOP GAP SOLUTION. I EXPERIENCE ADDITIONAL LOSS OF PRESSURE ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO TIRE DEALERS TWICE TO REGRIND THE RIMS. EACH TIME THEY POINT TO THE CORROSION AND THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH CHRYSLER NOT DEALING THE PROBLEM. HAVING TIRES LOSE PRESSURE BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE OF THE WHEEL IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. I HOPE NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS AND REQUIRE CHRYSLER TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10259517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Feb 2009 at 79,104 miles Hanover Park, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PURCHASED A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING IN EARLY '07' I STILL OWE ABOUT 5,000 ON THE CAR. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS MY OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN I COME TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THE OIL SENDER SWITCH WAS BAD AND LEAKING OIL. THEY CHARGED ME 173.00 TO REPLACE IT AND WHEN I LEFT I GOT ABOUT 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MOST LIKELY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS THE 2.7 THAT I NOW HAVE LEARNED IS ONE OF THE WORSE ENGINES MADE. THIS LAST CHRISTMAS I WAS AT A PARTY AND MY FRIEND INTRODUCED ME TO HIS ROOMMATE THAT WAS GOING TO DIESEL ENGINE SCHOOL,HE HAD ALREADY RECEIVED EVERY GAS AUTOMOBILE CERTIFICATION THERE IN EXISTENCE AND IS ONE OF THE TOP MECHANICS IN THE AREA! WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT CARS AND HE ASKED ME WHAT I DROVE, I TOLD HIM I HAD A 2003 SEBRING. HIS REPLY WAS.."OH, I'M SORRY". NOW I KNOW WHAT HE MEANT BY THAT,AT THE TIME I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST JOKING. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT,IF THEY DON'T REMEDY THIS PROBLEM I WILL PRAY DAILY THAT CHRYSLER GOES UNDER AND WILL BAD MOUTH THEM TO EVERY PERSON I KNOW AND MEET.

NHTSA complaint #10258016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Oct 2008 at 94,205 miles Nashville, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAVE A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A CHRYSLER REPAIR SHOP WHEN IT WOULDN'T START, THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY (THE BATTERY IN IT WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD) AND A NEW STARTER. I BORROWED THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THEM TO FIX IT. THEN AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 15 MILES WHEN I GOT IT BACK, AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS THE CAR ENGINE BLOWS. THE CHRYSLER SHOP ACCUSES ME FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF NEVER CHANGING THE OIL. I PROVED IT WAS CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THEY SAY IMPROPER MAINTENANCE CAUSED "ENGINE SLUDGE" WHICH THE CAUSED ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CAR ALWAYS RAN QUITE AND COOL, BUT WHEN IT FAILED AND I GOT IT TO START AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS, IT MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ALL THE WAY UP (WHICH NEVER HAPPENS) AND THE ENGINE WAS BOILING HOT. THEY NOW SAY THEY NEED AN INSPECTOR FROM MY WARRANTY PEOPLE TO COME INSPECT AND "DIAGNOSE" THE ENGINE. THEY SAY THAT COST IS NOT COVERED TO BREAK DOWN AND OPEN THE ENGINE FOR INSPECTION AND IT COSTS SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. THEN IF THEY DO NOT COVER IT, I'LL NEED TO PAY AGAIN TO PUT THE BROKEN ENGINE BACK TOGETHER FOR ANOTHER FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND ADDITIONALLY AND ABOVE THAT COST, THE COST TO REPAIR THE ENGINE THEY SAY IS $10, 000. CHRYSLER PRETENDS THERE HAS BEEN NO KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE BUT A GOOGLE SEARCH OF "CHRYSLER 2.7 ENGINE DEFECTIVE" PROVES OTHERWISE. MILLIONS OF THEIR CARS HAVE THESE ENGINES AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT CHRYSLERS DENIAL OF THIS PROBLEM AND SYSTEMATIC COVER UP. MY FIANCEE AND I JUST EVACUATED NEW ORLEANS DUE T HURRICANES GUSTAV. SHE IS DISABLED AND WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF BEING HOMELESS, THAT CAR WAS THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR US AND FOR ME TO ATTEMPT TO EARN A LIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10244978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Sep 2008 Garfield Heights, OH

AIR BAGS

2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING HAS ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAGS AND A RUST PROBLEM WITH THE HOOD LATCH. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO BEEP SPORADICALLY AND THEN WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #10243751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Sep 2008 Garfield Heights, OH

STRUCTURE

NHTSA complaint #10243751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Mar 2008 at 59,500 miles Massillon, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CHRYSLER 2.7L ENGINE FAILURE. REFUSAL OF CHRYSLER TO HONOR 7/70,000 DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY OR PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. ENGINE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND TOWED. CHRYSLER IS FOLLOWING THE PATTERN STATED BY OTHER CUSTOMERS. NOT HONORING WARRANTY, THEN COMING BACK WITH A 50% OFFER WITH AN EXAGGERATED USED ENGINE PRICE. CAR HAS BEEN ON OUT OF SERVICE FOR 6 WEEKS.

NHTSA complaint #10221969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 Feb 2008 Lodi, WI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

LACK OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT HEAT DURING VEHICLE IDLE.

NHTSA complaint #10217414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Dec 2007 at 30,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

THE CONNECTION FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES, FIXED 3 TIMES, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THEY CAN DO NOTHING BUT FIX IT AT OUR COST EACH TIME. IT HAS BEEN RECONNECTED ONCE, AND TWICE AT A COST OF JUST UNDER $100 EACH TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10213232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 May 2007 at 33,845 miles Lisle, IL

AIR BAGS

THE CLOCKSPRING THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING BROKE IN COLD WEATHER, RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. IDENTICAL PROBLEMS IN EARLIER CHRYSLER MODELS PROMPTED RECALLS OF THIS PART, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NOT REACTED TO THE SAME POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10190992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Nov 2006 at 53,872 miles Pickerington, OH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS RETURNED TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE REAR DEFROSTER WIRE WAS PULLED OUT OF PLACE. THIS RESULTED IN THE REAR DEFROSTER BEING INOPERABLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECONNECTION. THIS OCCURRED EVERY FALL.

NHTSA complaint #10173933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Sep 2006 at 68,000 miles Auburn, MA

SUSPENSION:REAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A STREET, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SMALL POTHOLE, AND A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE CORROSION WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10169321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Sep 2006 at 45,000 miles Flanders, NJ

WHEELS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHROME WHEELS BECAME CORRODED DUE TO THE WEATHER AND DAMAGED THE TIRES. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WEATHER RELATED AND COULD ONLY BE ADDRESSED BY CONTINUOUSLY ADDING AIR TO THE TIRES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT AIR NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE TIRES ON A DAILY BASIS.

NHTSA complaint #10167233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.