Model year record

1999 Chrysler Sebring

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 231 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1768,000 mi
Structure: body: door1488,000 mi
Wheels: rim1177,000 mi
Vehicle speed control10111,000 mi
Tires9
Air bags: frontal8
Electrical system7107,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments758,147 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint724,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift6120,000 mi
Suspension6117,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5
Engine and engine cooling5107,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch597,500 mi
Power train565,500 mi
Suspension: front5109,228 mi
Unknown or other5
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4
Structure4116,500 mi
Air bags352,213 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts3122,000 mi
Steering3
Suspension: front: control arm346,186 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal339,131 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Fuel system, gasoline2124,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Steering: rack and pinion235,000 mi
Structure: body2138,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars245,000 mi
Suspension: rear2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior256,635 mi
Wheels242,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1154,205 mi
Engine1200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Parking brake1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings130,473 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: trunk lid139,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: hub1
Tires: bead1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables173,645 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 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.