Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On May 20, 2017 driving on interstate 70-80 MPH; red lightning bolt dash warning light came on. My car seemed to pull back and hesitate. It was driving as if it May cut off. I drove into right lane and dropped speed to about 55 MPH. I did not stop because it was night and I am a senior woman driving alone on a route I'd never driven. The car would pulsate and run unsteady when idling a stops. I made it home, turned car back on and light went off. I went online and looked up the red light icon and it said "etc electronic throttle control. This is a serious problem. Now I'm afraid to drive the car; especially on the highways and interstates. On previous occasion on a highway doing 60 MPH or so; car accelerated and would not slow up until it decided to. I had no control about 30- 40 seconds. Thank god I did not panic and did not crash. …
First I went to start the car, I noticed the battery wasn't starting. I open the hood and tried to move the battery post, they were tight, but the plastic cover on the post started sending sparks out when I touched it. After a while I tried to start it again and it started right up. Then I noticed the malfunction indicator light came on. I let it run for about a minute then I turned it off. I didn't drive it at all that day. Later I checked it again. It didn't start. So I did the same thing again it started right up but the electronic throttle control light was on as well. I was afraid to drive it I thought the sparks might make it catch on fire. I think there were a recall on this car a while back. I've never had a problem with this car. I know that many people have had this same problem on their Chrysler vehicles. I read about many other problems as well. What should I do next? …
While driving on a highway at high-speed, all the electrical instruments began flashing on/off. The airbag light began flashing and a chime could be heard. This occurs intermittently (3-5 times per year) and Chrysler cannot properly diagnose the problem. With this latest incident, the dealership told me it would cost $800 for a new power control module. I researched online only to learn there are thousands of people with identical complaints about their Chrysler vehicles, while NHTSA refuses to order a recall. I refuse to allow Chrysler to perform work on this vehicle unless they can guarantee the repair and cap the cost. …
The dealer insisted that the random horn blowing was coming from a defective TIPM rather than a problem behind the airbag within the steering wheel which is where many complaints about this problem have detected the cause. The car horn blows whether it is stationary or moving. Mechanic would not consider the possibility of removing the steering wheel cap to determine whether it was really coming from within the steering wheel or not. It was just easier for them and more expensive for me to state that the random horn blowing came from the TIPM. I ran out of there like a bat out of hell after paying $280 for the diagnostic work! Meanwhile, now I have to drive the car without a horn which is a safety hazard.
I bought this vehicle as is in February of this year. The convertible top gets stuck in the up position and doesn't go back down. I cannot see otu of the rear view and obviously cannot operate the vehicle safely. I contacted a dealership and Chrysler and both told me the recall had been addressed in 2008 (they llooked it up by VIN). However, it obviously wasn't since the top is still sticking. They basically told me too bad. However, they were unable to tell me which dealership had marked it as a completed and repaired recall which is strange. I would like it fixed asap since I cannot operate the vehicle without being able to see out the rear windshield! It was in a parking lot when this happened.
I was driving one morning and it was raining. The electronic throttle control light came on and the car wouldn't accelerate over 20 MPH. I cut the car off and started it back up and it didn't do it anymore. Until the other day when exiting off the interstate the car lost speed and the same light came on. The restarting trick didn't work. The car runs shaky and is idled up high when started. The car still won't accelerate over 20mph. Had it diagnosed and discovered the throttle body needs to be replaced as well as the intake manifold runner valve to fix this problem. I see a lot of people that own this car 2007/2008 have this problem. Which can potentially be dangerous especially while on the interstate!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle shook violently without warning. In addition, while driving at low speeds, the vehicle jerked forward and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred monthly. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I was driving home from work and the horn began chirping randomly over the course of about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of random "chirps" the horn engaged and did not stop. This was while I was driving down the interstate. I pulled off the road and turned the car off. The horn still blew. I opened up the engine compartment and tapped the fuse box/relays and the horn stopped. I've read online that multiple others have had this issue and I would like the NHTSA to investigate. This poses a significant safety risk for myself and those around me. Also, the horn no longer works from the steering wheel when depressed.
While driving on a highway at high-speed, all the electrical instruments began flashing on/off. The airbag light began flashing and a chime could be heard. This occurs intermittently (3-5 times per year) and Chrysler cannot properly diagnose the problem. This seems to happen most frequently while driving on the interstate while raining with the windshield wipers on high. On one occasion while travelling through the mountains of western pennsylvania on the turnpike at night in the rain the entire car went dark for about 10 seconds. It appeared that the system rebooted. Original owner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the instrument panel failed to operate. In addition, the check engine, the air bag, the throttle body control and the driver seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Electrical complaints in other Sebring Conv years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv, 29% of the model year's 114 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.