Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I took my car to get diagnostic for smog. The shop I took it to smog Smart explain they have dismateled my car claiming engine, coolant, and timing belt. They have removed parts and claim they contacted Chrysler and its company states its repairs is not worth the vehicle. The engine claim, the coolant claim and timing belt they have made against the manufacture. The engine checked fine before dropping the car off. The car would stop due to heating the fuel running since the car had been a non op for 3 years andreason for smog. The car was deliberatley dismanteled can I get its information of the claim the smog mart 7070stockton sacramento ca 95820 is making so I can settle with the sheriffs in there distruction of my proeprty without invoice signature to remove any partys on my car except ordered to run diagnositcis.
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.
Problems with my 1996 Chrysler Sebring. It goes thro tons of oil, I keep having to add oil to the car, everything has been breaking on it. Now it periodically stalls out non stop. There is only 85K miles on the car and it should not be having these problems. I have put in thousands of dollars into this car for repairs. It was under warranty by Chrysler and I took it in for the oil issue and they said they saw no problem, that warranty ran out and my extended one kicked in and they said it had oil leaks and kept 'fixing' them. Once that warranty ran out they changed their story to 'the engine is consuming the oil, that's not under warranty'. Meanwhile I am left with a horrid car that wont run.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Sebring. While driving at an unknown speed, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle then immediately stalled. Several minutes later, the vehicle restarted. The dealer replaced the cam shaft sensor and the battery. The vehicle failed an emissions test due to smog. The dealer reprogrammed the PCM. On February 21, 2008, the vehicle had a second emissions test and failed again due to smog. The failure mileage was 167,000 and current mileage was 204,083.
On the engine I had the pulley on the timing belt come apart and just last month I had the head gasket start to leak from the back. Timing belt 28,000 head gasket 37,500. I have had to replace all 4 tires that where on the car. All by 29,000 miles--some earlier and then later. The brakes were replaces at the same time as the timing belt pulley. I knew they needed replacement and had an appointment to get them replaced when the timeing belt went out. It is a 1996 but I only have 37,500 miles.
Consumer was approaching a traffic light applied brakes when the pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in a collision. Twenty seconds after the collision the vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, cause of the fire undetermined. Please provide any further details.
2.4 head gasket. Exhaust manifold. Mileage illumination. Popping noise front suspension. Rattle rear suspension, poping when lft door glass window put up.low fuel lite . Car only has 46805 miles when you can read mileage
Vehicle stalls or nearly stalls during operation in an unpredictable manner. Vehicle will restart. The following components have been replaced without improvement: EGR valve, ais motor, PCM, distributor.
Emission complaint related to possible o2(oxygen )sensor: defect:my vehicle has recently been emitting a sulphur smell from the exhaust and the 'check engine light' has remained on. When I took the vehicle into the dealership(to correct recall notification 827) the service department stated I needed a new o2(oxygen) sensor to correct my problems with the exhaust. Moreover,the dealership stated the problem with the exhaust was the reason the 'check engine light' remained on. I have done research on the internet and have checked with other owners of Chrysler sebrings and the majority of them have also had to have this o2(oxygen) sensor replaced. I believe the ntsa should investigate a possible recall related to the o2(oxygen) sensor in the 1996 Chrysler Sebring lxi.
Consumer has had several problems with vehicle. Brakes do not work, they grind and the pads keep wearing and have to be replaced, dealer stated the problem was with the calipers. Water is leaking into the vehicle due to sunroof being cut too short during recall 99i004, consumer feels there might have been previous problems with water leaking due to a rusted fuse. Speedometer does not work. There is a transmission leak. Air conditioner does not work. Engine light is illuminated. Windows still don't work properly. Mirrors do not work properly after recall 97V015. Vehicle gets poor gas mileage, dealer stated the spark plugs were burnt and fouled, spark plug wires were breaking down and arcing in tubes causing a build up in the throttle body.
Engine complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, 10% of the model year's 419 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Sebring engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 8 recalls for other components. 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 1996 Chrysler Sebring engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.