1996 Chrysler SEBRING CONVERTIBLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 68 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 19.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.9% |
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 | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
Electrical System: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 41 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 | 7 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 12; 2004: 13; 2005: 12; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002610 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
THE TROTTLE STUCK ON MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEABRING. I WAS PASSING A VEHICLE AND WHEN II WENT TO BRAKE AND GET IN FRONT OF HIM I COULDN'T STOP. THE ENGINE WAS REVING AT 8000 RPMS. AND I WAS HOLDING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND I WAS GOING ABOUT MAYBE 60 MPH. I DID GET THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP, AFTER HAVING TO TURN 2 CORNERS VERY FAST AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I HAD PUT IT BACK AND FORTH FORM NURTAL & REVERSE AND WHEN THE CAR WAS SLOW ENOUGH I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. I CAME CLOSE TO USING A WALL, OR A HOUSE UNDER C…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008257 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
TIE ROD END FELL OFF CAR WHILE MOVING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010127 · 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, ABS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALER 4 TIMES. STILL NOT FIXED, LEAKS WATER, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH DOOR LOCKS AND LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF, AND LIGHTER ALSO PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, STILL A PROBLEM, BRAKES AND ROTORS MUST BE CHANGED ONCE A YEAR, LEAKS OIL. MINOR ACCIDENT A FEW YEARS AGO DUE TO SUSPECTED BRAKE ISSUES HOWEVER, THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND TOO LATE TO PROVE WHAT I KNOW.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014593 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
WATER LEAKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014596 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB DEALER REPAIRED DRAIN HOSES AT REAR. BURNING WIRE SMELL WITH HEATER ON. LACK OF POWER. RADIO INOPERATIVE. ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE DASH LIGHTS. MIRROR LIGHTS STAYED ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DEALER INSPECTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO HEATER. CHECKED WIRING UNDER DASH AND FOUND OK. DISCONNECTED STERIO POWER AMP AND RESET BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 84,638 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016428 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN PERU, INDIANA, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG DID. DRIVER WAS KILLED. *JB*CW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026404 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
FUEL VALVE HAS FAILED WHICH UNABLES THE CONSUMER TO PUT FUEL INTO THE CAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037142 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
WATER LEAKAGE , THERE IS PERIODICALLY A FOOT OF WATER IN THE CAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037142 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V021000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
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.
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗