Model year record

1998 Chrysler Sebring

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 357 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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 98V045002

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
27,527
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-03
Owners notified
1998-04-08

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Safety risk

THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: body: door3580,000 mi
Vehicle speed control21117,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1667,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14
Wheels: rim13
Unknown or other12
Power train: automatic transmission10112,325 mi
Suspension1044,000 mi
Wheels9151 mi
Structure866,944 mi
Tires865,000 mi
Structure: frame and members7
Suspension: front7130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling697,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly652,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch5
Steering566,944 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments580,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars5
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint5142,000 mi
Electrical system: horn4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner488,376 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch4110,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Structure: body: bumpers4
Tires: tread/belt459,590 mi
Air bags350,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3
Engine and engine cooling: engine370,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system380,000 mi
Fuel system, other332,922 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Structure: body366,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Electrical system2
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: ignition: switch254,020 mi
Engine2129,002 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys270,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Fuel system, gasoline235,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages296,000 mi
Seat belts: front250,000 mi
Seats228,215 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic246,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm244,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2129,000 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly255,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment150,000 mi
Exterior lighting1131,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel/propulsion system1128,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock155,000 mi
Power train166,944 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly195,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator178,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: rear/other150,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Steering: column1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility1131,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window112,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 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.