1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that the driver side ball joint detached from the socket while the contact was driving. The dealer diagnosed that the lower ball joint need to be replaced. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 09e056000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), but the manufacturer refused to cover the repairs. The manufacturer proposed that the contact pay 50 percent of the cost of the repairs due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt remained stuck in the retracted position and he was unable to use the seatbelt. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 111,320 and the approximate failure mileage was 111,300.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2011
“I have a 1997 chrysler sebring jxi convertible, that the seatbelt are generally useless. Both the passenger and driver seat belts lock and will not retrack, therefore you are not able to use them. This is a safety hazard especially in a convertible. I live in a state where seatbelts are requires, but when they are locked I can not use them. I have not found where the seatbelts have been recalled, shouldn't there be a lifetime guarantee on seatbelts since they are a safety device? I have owned the car for 3 years now and it is an ongoing situation with the most recent being yesterday. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Seat belts would not "pull out". At first it only happened sporadically and for short duration. Problem occurred more often until belts have not worked at all for past 2-3 weeks. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2011
“My 1997 sebring convertible oil light came on when I was driving in a heavy rain during rush hour. After stopping at a red light at a major highway intersection, my car died midway through the intersection. My oil pressure sensor wiring is the cause for my fuel pump to cut off as a safety measure for the cars protection but almost cost me my life. After seeing the dealer and looking at online forums, I have found this is common for the 2.7l engine in my car and many other autos made by damlier chrysler. If the 18 wheeler would have not changed lanes I would have died. I am waiting to replace the wiring because this is several hundreds of dollars of work. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2010
“While driving a1997 chrys. Sebring convertible across a bridge over a lake, the left front ball joint broke resulting in loss of control. I almost didn't stop before going in the water. Car blocked the highway and a patrolman stayed with me until wrecker arrived . It did major damage to front fender, plastic bumper brakes and wheel. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring jxi. The contact stated that the odometer and gear lighting indicator failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that a loose electrical connection caused the odometer and gear light indicator to fail. The vehicle had not been repaired because the contact stated that when she drove over a bump in the road, the odometer worked. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The current mileage was approximately 40,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2009
“Electrical system failure. Computer will no longer "go to sleep" and drains the battery. The car must now be jump started with a portable booser pack that I carry in the car. Dealer claims the computer must be replaced at a cost of $1,000 plus to fix the problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring convertible. While approaching a stop sign, a police officer informed the driver that the undercarriage of the vehicle was on fire. The driver exited the vehicle just as it became completely engulfed in flames. There were no injuries, but both a police and fire report were filed. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2008
“Electronic odometer and tachometer display work intermittently. Dealer explains that it is common with this car model. Difficult to track service on the vehicle. Also will be difficult to sell with out fix which will be over $500 for instrument cluster and could involve individual gauges which will cost around $380. Chrysler should recall and pay for this. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Sebring Convertible years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Sebring Convertible by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The most complained-about area is electrical system (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,429 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.