1997 Chrysler SEBRING problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
88,789 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 133 complaints (9.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 6 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Air Bags: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Seat Belts: 7; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 99 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 | 30 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 30; 2001: 24; 2002: 27; 2003: 21; 2004: 10; 2005: 7; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 4; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10027105 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115014 · 2005-03-11 (March 11, 2005)
THE BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING AND WERE MAKING NOISE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS, AND WHILE PULLING OUT THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026445 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND MADE A STRANGE NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THA T LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045144 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 - 80 MPH, I FELT THIS REALLY HARD JERK IN MY CAR WHERE I HAD TO RAPIDLY GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH MY HANDS TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE JERK SLIGHTLY MADE MY CAR STEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE PERSON ON THE RIGHT OF ME HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT WHAT IF SOMETHING WOULD OF. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THESE THINGS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO A PERSON'S SAFETY. I CONSIDER THIS BAD …
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000602 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL AT 62,000 MILES. WHY? MY WATER PUMP WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE PLUGS AND WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS STARING TO GO. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE IS RACING BUT THE CAR IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING UP WITH THE ENGINE. SURE SIGN.
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010903 · 2003-03-23 (March 23, 2003)
CHRYSLER 1997 LXI COUPE, 11330 MILES. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WENT AND FILLINGS FROM TRANSMISSION GOT INTO RADIATOR, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AND CHRYSLER DEALER AND ZONE OFFICE REFUSED TO HELP WITH COST, THEY TOLD ME CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COULD ACCEPT IF CAR WAS MISUSED OR HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE, CAR WAS GARAGE KEPT AND AS YOU CAN SEE HARDLY EVER USED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,380 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040584 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER HAS NOT FOUND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044372 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECK THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723183 · 2000-05-25 (May 25, 2000)
WIRING BEHIND LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE RUBBED AGAINST MANIFOLD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FUEL LINE NEAR BY WAS ALSO WEAKENED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765812 · 2002-08-18 (August 18, 2002)
MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES IN ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR. IT HAS HAD 4 ELECTRICAL FAILURES, 3 BRAKE FAILURES, 4 MECHANICAL, AND 7 OTHER PROBLEMS. BASICALLY THE CAR HAS BEEN A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING CHRYSLER FOR 3 YEARS AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP AT ALL. I FEEL AT 60,000 MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS CAUSED ONE ACCIDENT IN WHICH I STILL HAVE NECK PROBLEMS. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE AT WWW.POSTALHISTORYSTORE.CHRYSLER.HTM THANK YOU!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765812 at NHTSA ↗