Owners have filed 181 complaints
about the 2006 Chrysler Sebring with NHTSA between 2005 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 16 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 — 35
Against the median year of the Chrysler Sebring. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 74
14.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 31
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2006 compares with every other Chrysler Sebring
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Horn
2565.8%
Body
37.9%
Automatic Transmission
37.9%
Cooling System
25.3%
Frontal
25.3%
Accelerator Pedal
12.6%
Roof AND Pillars
12.6%
FAN
12.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
32.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
21.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
32.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3928.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3021.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2014.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3424.8%
150,000+ miles
64.4%
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.
Dec 2005peak 9Jul 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Monroe, MICrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
This is part of complaint 11630942. The incident on Nov 25, 2024. These are two separate complaints which occurred in the same crash that resulted in serious injuries. In the event of the crash the seatbelt failed to restrain me. Allowing my head to collide into the windshield and my chest to forcefully hit the steering wheel. I have serious injuries to many body parts as result of this incident. The vehicle is available for inspection and I have photos and medical reports available upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11632864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, MICrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
At the time of collision the airbags did not deploy correctly. The airbag seems to have burst at the seams and projectlies of debris and chemicals came from the air bag instead. I hit my head on the windshield and hit my chest on steering wheel. I was burned on my arms, hands and ribs/chest. I have pulmonary and neurological injury. as well as changes to my sight and hearing. My car filled with thick "smoke" that was hot and made us choke and gasp for air. We breathed in these chemicals. My two disabled children were also injured by the chemicals.
NHTSA complaint #11630942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesMonroe, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact rear-ended the vehicle that was in front of the contact vehicle. The contact's vehicle was damaged to the front driver's side of the vehicle. In addition, the air bags were deployed. The contact stated that the vehicle had a burning odor and lots of smoke. The Police and paramedics were at the crash scene. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss by the insurance company. The contact's two minor children were occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained burns to both left and right forearms, her right thumb, nerve damage to her left forearm, and bruised ribs. In addition, the chemical from the air bags entered the contact's nose and the contact had a continuous cough. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Washington, IA
AIR BAGS
My passenger airbag spontaneously deployed without an impact when it was parked. This shattered the windshield and expelled plastic dashboard pieces and glass everywhere. My daughter and I had just exited the car so there were no injuries. Had we not stopped this may have deployed on the road or if my passenger had waited in the car caused serious injuries. I contacted Chrystler to report this safety issue and they said this is no longer their responsibility due to my cars age and environmental factors. This happened 7/9/25 and the damages and airbag system is available to inspect. I have witnesses to seeing the deployment without impact and awaiting video footage from the business. No warning lights on the dashboard occurred. This is a very well maintained vehicle with very low miles.
NHTSA complaint #11672600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, MICrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
This is part of complaint 11630942. The incident on Nov 25, 2024. These are two separate complaints which occurred in the same crash that resulted in serious injuries. In the event of the crash the seatbelt failed to restrain me. Allowing my head to collide into the windshield and my chest to forcefully hit the steering wheel. I have serious injuries to many body parts as result of this incident. The vehicle is available for inspection and I have photos and medical reports available upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11632864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, MICrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
At the time of collision the airbags did not deploy correctly. The airbag seems to have burst at the seams and projectlies of debris and chemicals came from the air bag instead. I hit my head on the windshield and hit my chest on steering wheel. I was burned on my arms, hands and ribs/chest. I have pulmonary and neurological injury. as well as changes to my sight and hearing. My car filled with thick "smoke" that was hot and made us choke and gasp for air. We breathed in these chemicals. My two disabled children were also injured by the chemicals.
NHTSA complaint #11630942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesMonroe, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact rear-ended the vehicle that was in front of the contact vehicle. The contact's vehicle was damaged to the front driver's side of the vehicle. In addition, the air bags were deployed. The contact stated that the vehicle had a burning odor and lots of smoke. The Police and paramedics were at the crash scene. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss by the insurance company. The contact's two minor children were occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained burns to both left and right forearms, her right thumb, nerve damage to her left forearm, and bruised ribs. In addition, the chemical from the air bags entered the contact's nose and the contact had a continuous cough. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
STEERING
Mt ball joint separated from control arm housing
NHTSA complaint #11521964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesChina Grove, NCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal were significantly close to each other causing him to depress both pedals at the same time. The contact stated while driving at 3 MPH and attempting to make a stop, his foot inadvertently depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through. He attempted to depress the brake pedal but depressed both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, causing the vehicle to lightly crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11435429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
SUSPENSION
Front ball joint came off and caused car to come to crash into road. It is now in a repair shop where I had it towed as it was causing problems sitting on road. If I had been going faster I m not sure how serious a problem to me or others on road it would cause. Possible death. It is being inspected by Advanced Automotive, 503-364-2046. The car has less than 50,000 miles on it and I don't understand how a front end (ball Joint) can go wrong that quickly. The only warning I had was a squeaking in the front end. Is this something normal? The mechanic said that there was a RECALL on this problem. Since I bought it used from a Chrysler dealer you would think they would clue me to the problems. HA HA.
NHTSA complaint #11433510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Tan Valley, AZ
SEAT BELTS
Drivers side seat belt Does Not Retract. Engine Piston Rod Bearings are defective heat up melt and may cause an Engine Fire like in Hyundai Rod Bearing Recall. Common on Chrysler V6 Engine. May cause Blown engine, snapped Piston Rods, Heat and Engine Fire.
NHTSA complaint #11423573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Tan Valley, AZ
ENGINE
Drivers side seat belt Does Not Retract. Engine Piston Rod Bearings are defective heat up melt and may cause an Engine Fire like in Hyundai Rod Bearing Recall. Common on Chrysler V6 Engine. May cause Blown engine, snapped Piston Rods, Heat and Engine Fire.
NHTSA complaint #11423573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesOrchard Park, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING BUT INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11383629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesOrchard Park, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING BUT INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11383629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesSAN TAN Valley, AZ
SEAT BELTS
FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11326529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,800 milesWagener, SC
ENGINE
MY ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO A WATER PUMP LEAK. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED IN THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE DURING MY TRIP WHICH WAS ABOUT 30 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAD NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR UNTIL IT SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11309315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesConyers, GACrash
AIR BAGS
WE WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE HIT IN THE FRONT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11096845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesConyers, GACrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE HIT IN THE FRONT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11096845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesConyers, GACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
WE WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE HIT IN THE FRONT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11096845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,005 milesAtlanta, GA
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING I WAS HEARING NOISE UNDER CAR. THEN FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL CAME OFF DAMAGING CAR ABOVE THE TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES. CAR WAS TOWED IN TO FIRESTONE WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINT AND ARM. AMONG THE MAINTENANCE AFTER THAT I WAS THEN TOLD ON PASSENGERS SIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11055279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tobyhanna, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HORN GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #11031756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesST Louis, MO
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND SUSTAINED DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10983052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWaterford, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL INADVERTENTLY FLUCTUATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10945210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWaterford, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL INADVERTENTLY FLUCTUATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10945210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesAylmer Ontario Canada N5H2H5, MI
ENGINE
ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME ALWAYS SERVICED AND CHANGED OILS ON TIME OR BEFORE, REPLACED ALL SENSORS, PLUGS, ENGINE DOES SHAKE ON IDLE AND SHUT ITSELF OFF EVEN WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IN MOVING MOTION, ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON.
NHTSA complaint #10885146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesBridgewater, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN GOES OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. SAME SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S PARKED UNATTENDED. THIS RECURS ONCE A WEEK OR SO.
NHTSA complaint #10861213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.