Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Coupe with NHTSA between 2001 and 2010.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
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 — 34
Against the median year of the Chrysler Sebring Coupe. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
83.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Chrysler Sebring Coupe
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Chrysler Sebring Coupe
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
975.0%
5 crashes, 1 fires · median 124,500 mi
Equipment & Accessories
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 146,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
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.
Jul 2001peak 2Nov 2010
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 120,000 milesRandallstown, MDCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON MAY 5, 2005 WHILE ON INTERSTATE 95 IN VIRGINIA THE LOW BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEPERATED FROM MY VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING IN THE FAST LANE ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY UNABLE TO MOVE IT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION, THE YEAR BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS AND IT WAS REPLACED IN A RUSH BY A CHRYSLER DEALER, WHEN IT HAPPENED IN MAY CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE RECALL AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY RENTAL CAR FEES AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR PAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR AND NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE ALL BECAUSE OF SHOTY WORK DONE BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10124531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,465 milesMadison, WICrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:REAR
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY GOING 65 MPH. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SLIDE A CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND 1 BLOCK LATER VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR STRUTS. I HAVE HAD ALL PARTS REPLACED. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS THE PAINT SCRAPES TO THE FRONT LOWER PART.
NHTSA complaint #10086914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,465 milesMadison, WICrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY GOING 65 MPH. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SLIDE A CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND 1 BLOCK LATER VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR STRUTS. I HAVE HAD ALL PARTS REPLACED. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS THE PAINT SCRAPES TO THE FRONT LOWER PART.
NHTSA complaint #10086914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
ON DECEMBER 2000, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OF THE SUSPENSION OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE THEN REPLACED DUE TO THE COMPLAINT AND A RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ON 26 JANUARY 2004, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR FAILED AS I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CV AXLE TO DISLODGE FROM THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BODY OF THE CAR. I THE PROCEEDED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE CASE # IS 120-241-89. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED 9 FEBRUARY 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10058201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash
EQUIPMENT
ON DECEMBER 2000, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OF THE SUSPENSION OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE THEN REPLACED DUE TO THE COMPLAINT AND A RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ON 26 JANUARY 2004, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR FAILED AS I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CV AXLE TO DISLODGE FROM THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BODY OF THE CAR. I THE PROCEEDED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE CASE # IS 120-241-89. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED 9 FEBRUARY 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10058201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesEtiwanda, CACrashFire1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING IN MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING ON THE FREEWAY MY LOWER BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED FROM MY CAR SENDING CAR OUT OF CONTROL. THE WHEEL ENDED UP UNDERNEATH MY CAR THE RIM SPARK AND LIGHTED THE TIRE ON FIRE.*AK I FRACTURED MY KNEE IN THE ACCIDENT AND HAVE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE I DONT NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR, I AM FILING A SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED. I NEED INFO ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER
NHTSA complaint #10020929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Tremonton, UT
SUSPENSION
1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE LUNCH BREAK ACTIVITIES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SUDDENLY SEPARATED AND JAMMED THE TIRE UP INTO THE FENDER WELL AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT COST OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION PARTS ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE, WAS DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION, BECAUSE YEARS AGO, MANUFACTURERS CHOSE TO DELETE THE INEXPENSIVE GREASE FITTING ON SUSPENSION PARTS AND INSTEAD CHOSE SUBSTITUTED SEALED BALL JOINTS THAT WERE SUBJECT TO FAILURE. *JB UPDATED 04/26/11.
NHTSA complaint #10366054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK, WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD SPLIT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 99V066003 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10165144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPLE LX. THE THROTTLE CONTROL IS STICKING. IF COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE ON AT A FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT RECALLS, AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MAIN COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE FALSE SIGNALS FROM THE IDLE AIR CONTROL SOLENOID TO THE MAIN COMPUTER, CAUSING THE THROTTLE CONTROL TO STICK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP YET. HE WANTED TO CONTACT NHTSA FIRST. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN NINE MONTHS AGO, AND OCCURRED SIX TIMES, GENERALLY AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 10 MPH. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10133092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRandallstown, MDCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON MAY 5, 2005 WHILE ON INTERSTATE 95 IN VIRGINIA THE LOW BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEPERATED FROM MY VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING IN THE FAST LANE ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY UNABLE TO MOVE IT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION, THE YEAR BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINTS AND IT WAS REPLACED IN A RUSH BY A CHRYSLER DEALER, WHEN IT HAPPENED IN MAY CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE RECALL AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY RENTAL CAR FEES AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR PAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR AND NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE ALL BECAUSE OF SHOTY WORK DONE BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10124531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,465 milesMadison, WICrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:REAR
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY GOING 65 MPH. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SLIDE A CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND 1 BLOCK LATER VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR STRUTS. I HAVE HAD ALL PARTS REPLACED. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS THE PAINT SCRAPES TO THE FRONT LOWER PART.
NHTSA complaint #10086914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,465 milesMadison, WICrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY GOING 65 MPH. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. SLIDE A CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND 1 BLOCK LATER VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR STRUTS. I HAVE HAD ALL PARTS REPLACED. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE IS THE PAINT SCRAPES TO THE FRONT LOWER PART.
NHTSA complaint #10086914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
ON DECEMBER 2000, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OF THE SUSPENSION OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE THEN REPLACED DUE TO THE COMPLAINT AND A RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ON 26 JANUARY 2004, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR FAILED AS I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CV AXLE TO DISLODGE FROM THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BODY OF THE CAR. I THE PROCEEDED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE CASE # IS 120-241-89. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED 9 FEBRUARY 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10058201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash
EQUIPMENT
ON DECEMBER 2000, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OF THE SUSPENSION OF MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO NOISE AND STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE THEN REPLACED DUE TO THE COMPLAINT AND A RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ON 26 JANUARY 2004, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR FAILED AS I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CV AXLE TO DISLODGE FROM THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BODY OF THE CAR. I THE PROCEEDED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE CASE # IS 120-241-89. THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED 9 FEBRUARY 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10058201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesEtiwanda, CACrashFire1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING IN MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING ON THE FREEWAY MY LOWER BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED FROM MY CAR SENDING CAR OUT OF CONTROL. THE WHEEL ENDED UP UNDERNEATH MY CAR THE RIM SPARK AND LIGHTED THE TIRE ON FIRE.*AK I FRACTURED MY KNEE IN THE ACCIDENT AND HAVE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE I DONT NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR, I AM FILING A SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED. I NEED INFO ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER
NHTSA complaint #10020929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Advance, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #8014452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hiram, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
CONSUMER STATES FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD TWICE, AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO WENT OUT TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #561414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hiram, OH
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD TWICE, AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ALSO WENT OUT TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #561414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.