1998 Chrysler Sebring: problems, recalls and reliability
13 recalls and 319 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (20% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 319 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On highway 69 I proceeded to passing a semi near craft road. After passing the semi I release my foot off of the throttle, but the car continued to accelerate. Finally at 102 mph bouncing my foot on and off the pedal with no change. When going into the corner I then bumped the transmission into neutral and turned the key off. I popped the hood, got out and could see no issue with the cable, still in it's factory location. No binds or kinks I then pushed down on the throttle linkage on the throttle body and it popped loose. I got back in and haven't had another problem since.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2020
“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. While driving approximately 20 mph, the front driver side tire detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the lower ball joint and axle failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lower arm control, lower ball joint, tie rod, and axle failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle could be restarted; however, after several attempts the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2015
“I was going 55 miles per hour with cruise control set when I hit the brake my car started going faster and would not slow down I had to turn the key off and go into a field. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2015
“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
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring. While parked, the contact noticed water leaking onto the front driver side floor board. Additionally, the distributor failed twice. The contact noticed a whining sound coming from the engine and an increase in the vehicle temperature. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the engine would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2012
“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 · Suspension · 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
When filing, owners marked a crash in 36 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 13 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.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY, IT CAN SEPARATE UNEXPECTEDLY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE AN IMPROVED CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER INSTRUCTION LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI LIMITED CONVERTIBLES. THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN COULD SNAG AND/OR FRAY THE EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT AND RETAINING PIN. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT FLOOR MATS WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sebring 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 319 owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring. The most complained-about area is structure (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Sebring problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chrysler Sebring have open recalls?
13 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. 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.