61 of the
481 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring are about the
braking system — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
52,850 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE BRAKE CHAMBER, BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES, AND THE ADJUSTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10631677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesST. Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON THE ENGINE I HAD THE PULLEY ON THE TIMING BELT COME APART AND JUST LAST MONTH I HAD THE HEAD GASKET START TO LEAK FROM THE BACK. TIMING BELT 28,000 HEAD GASKET 37,500. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES THAT WHERE ON THE CAR. ALL BY 29,000 MILES--SOME EARLIER AND THEN LATER. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACES AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TIMING BELT PULLEY. I KNEW THEY NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THEM REPLACED WHEN THE TIMEING BELT WENT OUT. IT IS A 1996 BUT I ONLY HAVE 37,500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10069961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,700 milesMilford, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT AT 40 MPH, VEHICLE VIBRATES, VEHICLE SWERVES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THERE IS A SHORT IN THE LEFT FRONT SOLENOID CIRCUIT. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED SHE IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS EVERY 25,000 MILES, PADS HAVE BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #564241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED FRONT END WILL VIBRATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eastpointe, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CABLE CONNECTING GAS PEDAL TO ENGINE FRAYED AND STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WAS TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT FULL SPEED TWO TIMES. THE FIRST TIME REPEATED STOMPING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL AND THROWING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL UNJAMMED IT AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE SECOND TIME ALSO IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THESE EFFORTS DID NOT HELP. I WOVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I GOT TO AN OFF RAMP, AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION AT THE OFF RAMP AND ONTO A SIDESTREET WHERE I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND LANDED IT LIKE AN AIRPLANE ON A LANDING STRIP WITH THE BRAKES SMOKING AND THE ENGINE SCREAMING AND THE CAR GLIDED TO A STOP. WAS TOLD THE CABLE HAD UNWOUND LIKE A FRAYED PIECE OF ROPE AND STUCK INSIDE THE CABLE CONNECTING THE PEDAL TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #755699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR LOOKS VERY NICE ON THE OUTSIDE BUT HAS MANY ISSUES ON THE INSIDE. THIS CAR HAS COST ME A FORTUNE SINCE MY WARRANTY WENT OUT AT 75,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, AND DRUMS ALMOST EVERY YEAR. THIS IS VERY COSTLY (OVER $350 EVERY TIME). MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ME TWICE, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE OTHER WITHOUT A WARRANTY. I SPENT OVER $1,000 FOR REPAIRS TO REPLACE A GASKET, O-RING, AND TRANSMISSION PUMP. MY O2 SENSOR FAILED TWICE. WHEN I TRY TO ADJUST MY MIRRORS WITH THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE MIRRORS WON'T RESPOND AT ALL. I CONSTANTLY HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT CHRYSLER CARS SOUNDS LIKE THAT. THAT'S NORMAL. ALL THE TINGS I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE EXPERIECED. IN MY OPINION, THIS CAR WILL PUT YOU IN A BAD FINANCIAL SITUATION. IT'S NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE. I TRADED MINE FOR A MORE RELIABLE CAR (A GERMAN CAR).
NHTSA complaint #755570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wixom, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC ROTORS WARP WITHIN 3,000 MILES OF REPAIR CAUSING POOR BRAKING CONTROL AT 40+ MPH. CAUSED BY BAD BRAKE DESIGN. ALSO ABS MODULE FAILED AT 90,000 MILES , LEAVING NO ABS IMPLEMENTATION ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Square, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ABS MODULATOR 2 TIMES AND IT HAS ONLY LASTED FOR 2 YEARS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #874607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burmingham, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. BRAKES DO NOT WORK, THEY GRIND AND THE PADS KEEP WEARING AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED, DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CALIPERS. WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE DUE TO SUNROOF BEING CUT TOO SHORT DURING RECALL 99I004, CONSUMER FEELS THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH WATER LEAKING DUE TO A RUSTED FUSE. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS A TRANSMISSION LEAK. AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WINDOWS STILL DON'T WORK PROPERLY. MIRRORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTER RECALL 97V015. VEHICLE GETS POOR GAS MILEAGE, DEALER STATED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE BURNT AND FOULED, SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE BREAKING DOWN AND ARCING IN TUBES CAUSING A BUILD UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #874510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Benning, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND IT STILL MAKES A METALLIC SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS GRINDING WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE ODOMETER AND RPM GAUGE WORK INTERMITTANTLY AT BEST PROBABLY SOME KIND OF A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM, WHEN YOU START UP THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR COMES ON, THE WINDOW DOESN'T GO UP OR DOWN BUT THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THAT DOOR, SOMETIMES THE POWERE BUTTONS FOR THE WINDOWS DON'T FUNCTION RIGHT AWAY, YOU HAVE TO TAP ON THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO WORK. THE CONNECTION FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST CAME APART WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE WINDOW
NHTSA complaint #734467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS FOR THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE WORN TO THE POINT BELOW SPECIFICATIONS AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. PADS ARE NORMAL. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS. A MIDUS BRAKE SHOP COMMENTED THAT CHRYSLER MAKES ROTORS THIN TO BEGIN WITH ,AND ITS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #871284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bangor, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF ROTORS AND PADS WITHIN EVERY THREE MONTHS. ROTORS WOULD BE TURNED OR REPLACED, ALONGS WITH REPLACING BRAKES PADS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRIST TWO OCCASIONS. ALL EXPENSES WENT TO THE CONSUMER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bangor, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF ROTORS AND PADS WITHIN EVERY THREE MONTHS. ROTORS WOULD BE TURNED OR REPLACED, ALONGS WITH REPLACING BRAKES PADS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRIST TWO OCCASIONS. ALL EXPENSES WENT TO THE CONSUMER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Gibso, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN APPLYING AND SHIFTING GEAR. YH
NHTSA complaint #551985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hillsborough, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER REPLACING HEAD GASKET, I NOW HAVE RUST DEPOSITS IN THE RADIATOR FLUID. THE WINDOW IN BACK FALLS WITH A THUMP WHEN PUT DOWN, AND THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAK. MY DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND THAT HE HAD A WHOLE PARKING LOT WAITING TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #715854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN HILL THROTTLE CABLE BROKE, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO NOT RETURN TO IDLE AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER HAD TO DOWNSHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. DEALER HAS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #852632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE VEHICLE HAD REMAINED STUCK ON CRUISE CONTROL. IT KEPT ON ACCELERATING. HAD APPLIED BRAKES; VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. RELAXED ON BRAKES & VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. HAD WORN BRAKES OUT. AT SIDE OF ROAD & TURNED VEHICLE OFF & DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL. RESTARTED VEHICLE & HAD NO BRAKES. USED EMERGENCY BRAKES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #849750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W. Orange, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES WOULD KEEP LOCKING UP WHENEVER THEY ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. BEEN TO DEALER & ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, PROBLEM HAD STARTED OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #848285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W. Orange, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKES WOULD KEEP LOCKING UP WHENEVER THEY ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. BEEN TO DEALER & ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, PROBLEM HAD STARTED OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #848285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ROTORS KEEP WRAPPING ABOUT EVERY 5,000 TO 6,000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #709832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES AREN'T WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #843816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Gibson, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP, EITHER FRONT OR BACK WINDOW WILL GET CAUGHT BEHIND THE OTHER, NOT ALLOWING THE OCCUPANTS TO EXIT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK WINDOWS LEAK, BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE THEY CATCH, ELECTRIC MIRRORS INOPERATIVE, WATER STANDING IN THE DRIVERS REAR TAILLIGHT COVER, ALARM SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #841153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canonsburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS PUT 7 SETS OF ROTORS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #841183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingswood, WV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
WHILE DRIVING FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE,CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF PRIOR TO RECALL 97V201. ALSO, BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #836112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Springs, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LETTER SENT TO CHRYSLER WITH ALL DETAILS (FILE NUMBER 5441396)(COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST). I BRAKED, CAR STOPPED MOMENTARILY, THEN STARTED TO SLIDE AS THOUGH ON ICE. BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR & I WAS STILL APPLYING PRESSURE AS THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD. FIRST TIME JUST WENT THRU STOP SIGN. SECOND TIME (10 MINUTES LATER), I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HIT A CAR. ESTIMATED DAMAGE GIVEN WAS ONLY TO THEIR CAR. DID NOT ESTIMATE MINE. CHRYSLER'S INDEPENDENT ADVISOR SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CHECKED BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO ANY MORE. TERRIFIED TO DRIVE CAR AGAIN. TRADED IT IN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND. THEY CONSIDERED THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE IN THE TRADE-IN PRICE. I HOPE NOBODY GETS KILLED NEXT TIME. CONSIDERING THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE 96 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD LOOK HARDER FOR THE CAUSE OF THIS DOUBLE BRAKE FAILURE. MAYBE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND JUST DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #706597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
RUSTED BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED AND BRAKE PADS DUE TO BRAKE NOISE/REDUCTION OF BRAKE RESPONSIVENESS. BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN NOT INCLUDED. (98V-005)
NHTSA complaint #544694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
RUSTED BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED AND BRAKE PADS DUE TO BRAKE NOISE/REDUCTION OF BRAKE RESPONSIVENESS. BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN NOT INCLUDED. (98V-005)
NHTSA complaint #544694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS WARP SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #544446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY ARE SOFT BUT THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOURTEEN TIMES. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AND DECREASING POWER, THE VEHICLEE WILL STALL AND DIE OUT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED 6 TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN 22 TIMES. VEHICLE WILL BE BACK IN THE SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #829480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.