1997 Chrysler SEBRING CONVERTIBLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
79,429 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 77 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 11.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 5 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Electrical System: 10; Seat Belts: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 6; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 5; Structure: 4; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 10; 2003: 14; 2004: 13; 2005: 18; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 6; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002962 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
REAR DEFOGGER INOPERABLE. THE WIRING THROUGH THE CAR TO THE BACK WINDOW HAS DETACHED ITSELF. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS ITEM, I WAS TOLD NO AND THAT IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE ITEM TO REPLACE. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO REMIT ANY MONIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IT'S OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF THE MANUFACTURER.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018708 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
THIS CAR IS GARBAGE! I HAVE HAD WATER LEAKS, HAD TO REPLACE COMPLETE FABRIC INTERIOR! THE BATTERY LIGHT NOW REFUSES TO GO OFF ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 4 BATTERIES IN A YEAR, HAVE REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS. NOT ONE SHOP, ALONG WITH A DEALER, CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY. THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR TOLD ME IT WAS TOO LATE FOR HIM TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH THE SEAT BELT, DRIVERS SIDE. IT NO LONGER CONNECTS TOGETHER. DEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033147 · 2003-08-19 (August 19, 2003)
CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. HAD TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. TRIED TO TURN CAR BACK ON, AND THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING. NOTE: LUCKILY HAD NOT GOT ON THE MAJOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC, AND REPAIR WAS DIAGNOSED AS HIGH IDLE, REPLACED IDLE, AIR CONTROL MOTOR. TOTAL COST (NOT INCLUDING TOW) $186.82.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,857 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039839 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)
NAR 9-10-03. GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING VERY FAST. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE CONSUMER COULD APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005468 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END STEERING SYSTEM (RECALL #750 ON CHRYSLER DEALER INVOICE) WERE REPLACED AND STEERING BECAME DEFECTIVE. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 11,741 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082190 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR MAT GOT TANGLED INTO THE STEERING MECHANISM BECAUSE THERE IS NO COVER FOR THAT PART. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067207 · 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE NEED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION OR REBUILT THE OLD TRANSMISSION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067209 · 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10358919 · 2010-10-03 (October 3, 2010)
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 CHAN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10358919 at NHTSA ↗