Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
Oil light illuminated when stopped, and went out when in motion. The dealer serviced vehicle ,but the problem reoccurred. The next day consumer heard a "screeching" noise when depressing the gas pedal,then vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised the consumer that transmission needed to be replaced.
Vehicle roll back occurred when gear shift was knocked out of park. While the vehicle was in park, the consumer's granddaughter accidentally hit the gear shift stick and the vehicle rolled backwards. (the consumer has since sold the vehicle)
Because the shifter was broken at housing for interlock, the driver is able to remove the key from the ignition before it is put into the park position. This will be repaired. The vehicle was parked but rolled out of the driveway and crossed the street.
In August of 1998 I began to detect a creaking noise when I turned the steering wheel (even at a full stop). I brought it back to the dealership where I purchased the car and they determined that the lower right ball joint had lost it's lubrication. The service manager indicated that since there wasn't a grease fitting on the ball joint it needed to be replaced. The repair could not be done that day and an appointment was made for a couple of days later. I asked the service manager if the car was safe to drive, and he replied yes. The next day , while making a right hand turn on a residential street (5 - 10 MPH) the car collapsed onto the right tire. When I looked at the damage I saw the the tire almost flat on the ground, the driveshaft was out of the transmission, the cv joint was pulled from the transmission and the ball joint was cut in half. …
Purchased vehicle in apr 05 from friends. Without the key in the ignition, the button can be pressed and the shift lever moved. While running, the button can be pressed and the shift lever moved without having to put foot on the brake pedal. Vehicle brought in to dealer and recall c45 alleged to be completed 10-25-05. Due to my children now use the car, a return was made to a dealer 12-01-09 for recall. Invoice states "reinspect recall #c45." while waiting, service advisor appeared to discuss recall and state that I needed to replace the interlock cable. Invoice stated "did recall c45 replace shifter rod," "need to replace interlock cable, $227.00." so it appears after doing another shifter rod, maybe the recall should be for the interlock cable as in another complaint # 10126915. Though I said this was a recall and a safety issue, he repeated I'd have to pay for the interlock cable. …
I have had so many problems with this car. The car looks very nice on the outside but has many issues on the inside. This car has cost me a fortune since my warranty went out at 75,000 miles. I have replaced brakes, rotors, and drums almost every year. This is very costly (over $350 every time). My transmission failed on me twice, once under warranty and the other without a warranty. I spent over $1,000 for repairs to replace a gasket, o-ring, and transmission pump. My o2 sensor failed twice. When I try to adjust my mirrors with the button on the driver side, the mirrors won't respond at all. I constantly hear a knocking noise from the engine. The service advisors at the dealership continue to tell me that Chrysler cars sounds like that. That's normal. All the tings I have shared with you are just some of the things I have experieced. …
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.
Took car in to 3 different dealers to have them fix water leaks & air whistling and none could fix it. They said there was a flaw in the design of the top. They tried spraying foam on edge, adding an elastic strap (#8894 part), tried adjusting top - none of these exercises worked. Now yet another dealer in joplin too tells us there's nothing that can be done as it's a flaw in the design/construction. There is also a whistling in the A/C system or vents when A/C is on and driving 40+ miles an hour. Several times while driving in "d" the transmission doesn't shift out of low gear.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
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…
Transmission complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, 13% of the model year's 419 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 98V-183 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.