39 of the
481 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring are about the
electrical system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
99,500 miles.
D
39
Complaints
1
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Ignition
1128.2%
Interior/Under Dash
820.5%
Electrical System
717.9%
Wiring
37.7%
Switch
37.7%
Horn
25.1%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
25.1%
12V/24V/48V Battery
12.6%
Front Underhood
12.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
12.6%
Electrical System across every Chrysler Sebring year
I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, & I finally said forget it(I would have been too costly) & I needed my vehicle to get to work. Many things failed after that; gas gauge; speedometer needle; right turn signal; & radio.Other things but just can’t remember at the moment.
NHTSA complaint #11491258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waconia, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on the highway; all of a sudden my right dash speaker started on fire. I had a Bubbler in my vehicle, so I used that to put it out. Since then, my radio no longer works, nor does mileage show & gas gauge fluctuates, & cannot tell when it is actually empty.
NHTSA complaint #11470156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,500 milesLemon Grove, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG COMES ON AND THE ALL DIALS ON THE DASHBOARD GO BLANK.
NHTSA complaint #11271320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesST. Petersburg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10679492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesSimpsonville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE DASH STEREO SPEAKERS MID 10/05 .. SCREECHING NOISES CAME FROM MY SPEAKERS AND THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THEM. I TURNED OFF THE STEREO AND SOON AFTER WENT TO MY MECHANIC. WHEN THEY TURNED MY STEREO ON SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASH SPEAKERS AGAIN. I ASKED THEM TO PULL THE FUSE SO THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ON 2/16/06 I CALLED CHRYSLER. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM DATED 2/21/06 STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE TIME OR MILEAGE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. ON RECALL SIGHTS I HAVE FOUND WHERE THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN SLIGHTLY NEWER MODELS. THIS COULD HAVE ENDED IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH TO MYSELF AND MY TWO NIECES THAT I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THAT MORNING. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY CHRYSLER. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND I'VE ALSO HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND TIMING BELT. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY.
NHTSA complaint #10186678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
COMPUTER SYSTEM IS REGISTERING FALSE READINGS, MAKING THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. A MECHANIC HAS INSPECTED ITEMS THEATCOMPUTER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A FAILURE, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8018840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLES DISTRIBUTOR WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY HESITATE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND THE ODOMETER/ TACHOMETER WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER BUMP AND THEY CAME BACK ON. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *PH
NHTSA complaint #8002420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLES DISTRIBUTOR WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY HESITATE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beloit, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE WOULD STALL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED DISTRIBUTOR CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICAL BULTEN STATES THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE DUE TO EXCESS SOLDER BETWEEN THE COIL OUT PUT TERMINAL AND COIL COVER PLATE.
NHTSA complaint #881832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Republic, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WATER WOULD GET INSIDE OF VEHICLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEN IT WAS RAINING OR VEHICLE BEING WASHED. ALSO, HORN & CD PLAYER FAILED TO WORK DUE TO POSSIBLE MOISTURE INSIDE OF APPARATUS. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER & HORN/AIR BAG WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #876912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE FUSE WHICH BLEW CAUSED THE AC TO QUIT PRODUCING COLD AIR BUT ALSO CAUSED THE COOLANT SYSTEMS FANS TO STOP WORKING (ACCORDING TO THE REPAIRMAN) WHICH IS WHY MY CAR OVERHEATED COMPLETELY
NHTSA complaint #734899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Benning, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
Holmes, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boxford, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHICH CAUSES A NO START. THERE IS RECALL 98V183000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT DEALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER NEEDS TO REPLACE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #859939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVER GOT INSIDE AND STARTED VEHICLE HE TURN ON THE RADIO, BUT THE RADIO WAS NOT WORKING. THEN WHEN HE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, HE RECEIVED A VERY STRONG ELECTRICAL SHOCK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE WATER LEAKED FROM AREAS RELATED TO 6TSB'S FOR THE VEHICLE. WATER SETTLED UNDER THE CARPET GATHERING 3-4 INCHES OVERNIGHT, AFFECTING TRANSFORMER UNDER PASSENGER SEAT WHICH BECAME INUNDATED WITH WATER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN UNABLE TO BE FIXED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #855648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpine, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON DASHBOARD ONLY WORKS 1/2 TIME WHEN CAR IS ON. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. NO WARRANTY. REPAIRWORK NOT DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #844138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flower Mound, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DIGITAL MILEAGE & GEAR SHIFT SCREEN + RPM GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF; BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT START UP.
NHTSA complaint #707548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flower Mound, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DIGITAL MILEAGE & GEAR SHIFT SCREEN + RPM GAUGE INTERMITTANTLY GOES OFF; BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT START UP.
NHTSA complaint #707548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Novi, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THERE WAS NOISE IN FRONT END WHENEVER TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT ANY SPEED OR NO SPEED. THIS ALSO CAUSED VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL. ALSO, WHEN KEY IS IN IGNITION, IT CAN NOT BE REMOVED AS PER RECALLS 97V201000/ 98V183000.
NHTSA complaint #835388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #824969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Dorado Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE DIGITAL MILEAGE AND GEAR SHIFT SCREEN AND THE RPM GAGE KEEP GOING OFF PERIODICALLY, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE VEHICHLE AND SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL GO OUT AND THEN BACK ON AT ANYTIME. NO RYME OR REASON.
NHTSA complaint #703186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gurnee, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK, THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE KEY CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #834143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY IS TRAPPED IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER, THEREFORE, HAS TO PLAY WITH THE KEY UNTIL NOTICING A CLICKING SOUND BEFOR KEY IS REMOVED. CONSUMER ALSO NOTED THERE IS A RECALL DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM, RECALL NUMBER 98V183000. MANUFACTURE STATES VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER REPLACING PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #830999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHEN TRYING TO PRESS ON THE HORN ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT BLOW, REPAIRED THREE TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY CAN COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN ALL GEAR POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF IT IS PARKED ON ANY TYPE OF INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #823288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #531197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.