Most common 1996 Chrysler Sebring problems
Share of the 419 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chrysler Sebring complaints by model year
Best Sebring years: 2009, 2003, 2010. Years to avoid: 1996, 2001, 2002, 1998, 2007. Compare all years →
1996 Chrysler Sebring recalls (8)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l v6 engines, the throttle control cable can fray causing the throttle to bind or stick.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable assembly. Owner notification began August 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage.
Show 2 more recalls
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
The electrical contacts in the power mirror switch can accumulate road salt due to water entering into the switch.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power mirror switch with a newly designed switch.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
The power brake booster vacuum hose was improperly installed on the intake manifold vacuum nipple.
Remedy: Dealers will fully install the intake manifold vacuum hose to the vacuum nipple on the intake manifold.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1996 Chrysler Sebring:
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
Convertible top cover disengagement
Odi has received three reports alleging disengagement of the convertible top cover from the subject vehicles while driving.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations.
Automatic transaxle ignition interlock
Alleged failure of the automatic transaxle ignition interlock system that either allows the ignition key to be removed when the transmission gear selector is not in the park position and the transmission gear selector to be shifted when the ignition key is removed or prevents theignition key from being removed when the transmission gear selector is in the park, or any other, position.
Convertible top cover disengagement
Alleged that the convertible top cover May disengage from the subject vehicles while driving.
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an…
What 1996 Chrysler Sebring owners say
Suspension all 85 →
On May 5, 2005 while on interstate 95 in virginia the low ball joint on the right front side of my 1996 Chrysler Sebring seperated from my vehicle causing me to lose control on the vehicle and stopping in the fast lane on the busy interstate highway unable to move it causing damage to the body of the vehicle and the transmission, the year before the same thing happened to my vehicle due to a recall on the ball joints and it was replaced in a rush by a Chrysler dealer, when it happened in May Chrysler refused to repair the recall and refused to pay for my rental car fees and I could not afford to repair the vehicle or pay for the rental car and now I have no vehicle all because of shoty work done by Chrysler.
NHTSA campaign 00V421002; daimler Chrysler issued a lower ball joint recall. This vehicle is not included in the recall. The consumer was driving 55 miles per hour when all of a sudden he heard a popping noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer lost control of the vehicle before coming to a complete stop on the side of the road. The consumer took the vehicle to the shop and results showed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Ball joint snapped and resulted in the wheel turning sideways. As a result the driveer lost control of the vehicle. When vehicle finally came to rest the tire was totally destroyed and under carriage sustained damage.
Brakes all 61 →
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.
Letter sent to Chrysler with all details (file number 5441396)(copy available on request). I braked, car stopped momentarily, then started to slide as though on ice. Brake pedal did not go down all the way to the floor & I was still applying pressure as the car continued forward. First time just went thru stop sign. Second time (10 minutes later), I had the same problem and hit a car. Estimated damage given was only to their car. Did not estimate mine. Chrysler's independent advisor said nothing was wrong with the brakes. Don't know what they checked but they said they wouldn't do any more. Terrified to drive car again. Traded it in to another dealer for a different brand. They considered the estimated damage in the trade-in price. I hope nobody gets killed next time. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 56 →
Dt: consumer received NHTSA recall 04V021000. Checked vehicle, and consumer found that vehicle did have a transmission problem. Consumer took vehicle to dealer. Once consumer picked up vehicle from dealer found that vehicle would still come out of park without key in ignition. Consumer contacted the dealer again, and dealer told consumer that she would have to pay for a cable to be replaced. However, dealer did not fix the problem. Also, consumer contacted manufacturer, and manufacturer told consumer that vehicle could be taken to another dealer. However, if dealer felt that recall work was completed than dealer could be charged co a $35 inspection fee, and then charged for the repair if consumer decided to have it done.
1996 Chrysler Sebring has problems with roof leaking, front passenger tire separating from the vehicle as well as problems with the transaxles floor shifter/park interlock which caused driver to hit nine cars and be ejected through the windshield. There was a recall regarding the park /neutral start switch being faulty. The consumer wants daimler Chrysler to compensate her for another vehicle.
1996 Chrysler Sebring engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chrysler Sebring a good car?
Based on 419 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Sebring rates avoid: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sebring at the same age. It is one of the Sebring years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
The suspension — 85 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › lower ball joint. Next are the brakes (61) and transmission & drivetrain (56).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?
There are 8 recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, the most recent from January 13, 2004 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chrysler Sebring?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2003 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 2001, 2002, 1998 and 2007. See the full Chrysler Sebring years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Sebring problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.