Model year record

1997 Chrysler Sebring

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 295 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 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 97V081002

Seats: front assembly: head restraint

Component
Seats: front assembly: head restraint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,083
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-08
Owners notified
1997-07-31

Defect description

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Safety risk

THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1869,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1575,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1355,134 mi
Air bags11140,000 mi
Unknown or other11
Seat belts: front: retractor1086,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10
Seat belts890,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine7106,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7
Wheels: rim7
Steering: rack and pinion681,350 mi
Structure: body: door697,250 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars6
Suspension: front: control arm6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5
Suspension: front5140,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint5161,325 mi
Electrical system4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Structure: body4
Suspension: rear4
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: wiring3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch387,577 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Structure3
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint381,350 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Visibility: windshield3
Wheels3
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Power train: manual transmission2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Suspension2208,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm273,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire2
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Wheels: hub2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly165,000 mi
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering: column1104,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1
Tires169,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of 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.