22 of the 357 complaints about the 1998 Chrysler Sebring are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 97,000 miles.
22
Complaints
1
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE IN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,002.
NHTSA complaint #10618841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. ADDITIONALLY, THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AN INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #10483486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI THE CAR HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ONE IS THE CONTROL ARM IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A LIST OF OTHER EVAC PROBLEMS - I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS - PLEASE ADVICE - NEED HELP - CALLED CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS AND FIRST THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED - THEN THEY TELL ME THEY CAN CHARGE ME $149.00 TO RESET THE COMPUTER CATALYST(G)/NMHCCATALYST(D) EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM(G)/ UNSUPPORTIVE(D) 02 SENSOR(G) EXHAUST GAS SENSOR(D) 02 SENSOR HEATER (G) PM FILTER (D) EGR/VVT (G,D) PO455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (LARGE LEAK) MY HEADLAMPS ARE YELLOW AND MY REAR WINDOW LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOLD SANDWICHED INTO THE GLASS AND DEFROST...ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10482488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THEN NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THREE OF THE FREEZE PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ENOUGH PRESSURE HAD BUILT UP TO CAUSE ALL THE LIQUIDS TO RELEASE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,939.
NHTSA complaint #10399597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND IN INTERSECTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10197985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
DT: VEHICLE HAS A HOLE BURNT IN THE GAS TANK FROM HEAT SHIELD/EXHAUST. COULD SMELL FUMES WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND COULD SEE THE HOLE. VEHICLE PARKED SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10124798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING NOISE.*MR THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOUND PUT COULD NOT FIND WHERE IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10117694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10109377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE IN THE DRIVEWA A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CYLINDER GASKET BROKE, AND CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CYLINDER GASKET MUST BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10062945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT TIMING BELT AND ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10044639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT TIMING BELT AND ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10044639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC
NHTSA complaint #10005994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CRUISE CONTROL FROM PURCHASE DIDN'T WORK, SALESMAN TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE TRAVELING 55 MPH FOR IT WORK. TURNED OUT, IT WAS BROKEN, COST ME $100 TO REPAIR. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CAR DEAD, TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A BATERY. DEALERSHIP PAID THE COST. 2ND MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND POPPING NOISE, TURNED OUT I NEEDED A SPARK PLUG. I REQUESTED THEY CHANGE THEM ALL. THEY WOULDN'T. 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CHECK ENGING LIGHT ON AGAIN, CAR RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH, POPPING NOISE AGAIN, FILLED UP WITH GAS, CAR WOULDN'T START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IT. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I WANT TO FILE A LEMON. LAW. I CAN'T AFFORD A $400/MO PAYMNET AND PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED ON A MONTHLY BASIS. WHAT CAN I DO?
NHTSA complaint #754413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE-WELL MAINTAINED FAILED AT 60K MILES. OIL PUMP AND BEARINGS. DOOR ASSEMBLY KEEPS COMING LOOSE, HANDLE FELL OFF. WHEELS TOO SOFT, BENT ALL OF THE TIME. FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 17K MILES. THIS CAR IS A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #742016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, PAID FOR PARTS ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #882217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SIDE MOLDING FELL OFF ON THE FREEWAY. BRAKES VIBRATED. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR. RIMS HAVE BENT SEVERAL TIMES. FRONT END WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND. ENGINE DIED BECUASE SERPENTINE TIME BELT CAME OFF, CAUSING ENGINE TO CEASE. DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL SQUEALED. DEALER COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #869247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM THE CAR AGAIN WENT TOTALY DEAD, BUT THIS TIME WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A MOUNTIN ROAD. TH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED, RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS NO ABS OR POWER STEERING AND MY EMPLOYEE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.
NHTSA complaint #714936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER HEARD NOISES, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE ,DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 100 FEET ,HEARD EXPLOSION ,VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR FELT POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ON TOP OF CATAYLIC CONVERTER, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #843984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WEENT TO FLOOR. DRIVER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFT TO PARK TO STOP VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #844158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. PULLED TO THE SIDE,AND NOTICED VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. CONSUMER POPPED OPEN THE HOOD, AND THE SAW THE FIRE. CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FIRE ON HIS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #836616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AT 300 MILES ALL INSIDE PANELS HAD BE REPLACED. ( THE PANELS HAD WHAT LOOKED LIKE SUN SPOTS IN THEM. BUT AFTER GETTING NEW PANEL'S WHICH HAD THE SAME SPOTS IN THEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A PRODUCTION PROBLEM. ON THE 3RD SET PANELS.) AT 400 MILES DRIVER'S WINDOW TRIM STARTED COMING LOOSE. THE CAR'S INSULATION OR LACK OF IS SO POOR THAT YOU HEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GRINDING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES THE L/H FRONT WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE. BOTH DOOR'S LEAK WHEN IT RAIN'S OR WHEN YOU WASH THE CAR. ON DEC 24, 1998 IT RAINED AND WITH WEATHER DROPING DOWN BELOW FREEZING AND WITH NO ICE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR SHOWING I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR'S ON THE CAR FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR. ON DEC 23, 1998 I CALLED DAIMLERCHRSLER MOTORS CORPORTION CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ( 1-800-992-1997 ) TO FIND OUT CHRYSLER MEANING OF QUALITY. THE ANSWER WAS MITSUBISHI BUILD'S THE SEBRING AND THAT CHRYSLER HAS NO CONTROL OVER THERE QUALITY AND THAT WHAT YOU HAVE WARRANTY FOR.
NHTSA complaint #704680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
DUE TO DEFECTIVE PCV VALVE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE BOOT FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND IGNITION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #830768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.