1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 52 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (16% 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 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1998 chrysler sebring. Consumer writes in regards to transaxle floor shifter ignition/park interlock recall repair history. *smd the consumer wanted to know, if the vehicle was fixed properly, due to the fact the vehicle was recently purchased and the recall was issued in 2005. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed erroneously. The air bags were not replaced. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repair shop for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 59,337.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring convertible jx. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, both front air bags deployed without warning. The failure caused head and neck injuries to the driver and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 169,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“I went to have the transmission looked at as it's under warranty. I bought this car with 75,000 miles on it 3 years ago. Shortly after that the transmission went out. When the mechanic put one in he found out that there was already a used one in there. Two months later that tranmission went out and it got replaced. Well this brings us to present day where I'm getting it checked out and have them check everything out. They tell me that the rear ball joints are out and it'll cost $1200 to fix it. I'm like that's not worth it. I then find out that this is recalled. *js”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2012
“I made a complete stop and turned onto another road and heard a loud metal on cement noise pulled over to side of road as good as possible and got out of car and seen ball joint cracked and tire off car. My car was completely on ground in front right of vehicle. Had no reason to believe the ball joints needed to be fixed. Car drove smooth otherwise. If I would have known it would have been fixed but to just snap. Thank goodness I wasn't going faster or nothing was in my way and didn't crash! It was the scariest car "accident" I ever had. Never in my life have I had something like that happen to me in a car that had no signs of needing to be fixed. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2012
“I have a 1998 chrysler sebring, I bought it at 45,000 miles and the seatbelts on the driver side will lock to where I cant buckle my seat belt and its the same on the passenger side it will also lock when it is buckled. Like it would when im slamming on my brakes. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2009
“1998 sebring conv. Left ball joint came apart causing front end damage. Chrysler denies problems with this model . I had to pay for repairs myself and still drive the car with the front end damage. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring convertible. After the vehicle was off for ten minutes, it would not restart. The contact attempted to unlock the vehicle, but the entire ignition system was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. She is still unable to operate the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2007
“Dt: the contact stated while driving at 60 mph the hood separated from the vehicle and fell off. There were no injuries reported with the incident. Chrysler has been contacted. They offered no free remedy. He had no prior problems with the hood.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2005
“Dt: without warning the accelerator cable unraveled and the car kept accelerating. The caller had to put the car in neutral, then turn off the car, and pull off the road. Car was towed to dealer, who was evaluating the problem today. Manufacturer said to call NHTSA. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - 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 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliable?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The most complained-about area is steering (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,200 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.