Model year record

1996 Chrysler Sebring

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 481 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V186000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
88,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-07-08
Owners notified
2002-08-05

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES, THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CAN FRAY CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.

Safety risk

THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V421002

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
393,796
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-18
Owners notified
2001-05-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V066003

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
165,857
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-05
Owners notified
1999-08-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V183000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
685,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-06
Owners notified
1998-10-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V201000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
599,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V015000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
39,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-10
Owners notified
1997-02-21

Defect description

THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH CAN ACCUMULATE ROAD SALT DUE TO WATER ENTERING INTO THE SWITCH.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT CIRCUIT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V123000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
22,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-02
Owners notified
1996-08-27

Defect description

THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM NIPPLE.

Safety risk

A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL FULLY INSTALL THE INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM HOSE TO THE VACUUM NIPPLE ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint4290,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2518,396 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars20
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18
Power train: automatic transmission1750,565 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16
Engine and engine cooling: engine1329,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1369,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components13
Electrical system: ignition11
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc11
Vehicle speed control11200,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls11
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash8118,000 mi
Power train8175,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm890,000 mi
Air bags791,400 mi
Electrical system730,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner7
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor7
Suspension: front: control arm7
Power train: axle assembly6
Suspension: front6
Unknown or other6168,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices6
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs6
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly571,800 mi
Structure: frame and members5
Tires528,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables5
Visibility: windshield5
Seat belts: front: webbing4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension462,451 mi
Suspension: rear4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4
Electrical system: ignition: switch3
Electrical system: wiring3
Engine and engine cooling346,805 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: retractor350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist3
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm3
Structure346,805 mi
Structure: body3
Structure: body: trunk lid3
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint360,141 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly380,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2
Service brakes, hydraulic228,000 mi
Steering2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine1168,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system146,805 mi
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1109,008 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel/propulsion system1168,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock153,901 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front1
Seats1
Service brakes1
Service brakes, air177,700 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Tires: tread/belt190,000 mi
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1995 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.