Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This car is garbage! I have had water leaks, had to replace complete fabric interior! The battery light now refuses to go off along with the engine light. I have gone through 4 batteries in a year, have replace the alternator and I still have problems. Not one shop, along with a dealer, can understand why this car will not run properly. The dealer who sold me the car told me it was too late for him to do anything about it. I also have the same problem as everyone else with the seat belt, drivers side. It no longer connects together. Dealer who sold me car stated the car was a 6 cylinder as does my title, found out recently that car is only 4 cylinder.
Strong gasoline odors came into vehicle from the outside when driver's side window was down. Vehicle had been to the dealer on two separate occasions, and they were unable to locate the cause of the problem.....paint on vehicle was fading-turning black to white. From inside rearview mirror consumer was not able to see back of vehicle. Seat belt on passenger's side had a broken seat belt retractor. In addition, passenger's leather seat was cracking, and stitching on convertible top was coming out.
Vehicle interior floods during moderate to heavy rainfall. In light of the number of problems, the cost of repairs the consumer has incurred on what is apparently a design flaw on parts that have no mechanical wear, is unbearable. The consumer is now requesting reimbursement from Chrysler and need assistance in resolving matter safely and promptly.
The interior rearview mirror image were completely distorted making it impossible to view any objects through it. The trunk lid had fallen on the consumers head, the leather seats cracked, and the stitching on the convertible top had come undone.
The converible roof is unravelling at the seams, making it unsightly and dangerous. I had water in my foor in the back seats and an upholstery shop discover a defect in the manufacture of the body causing the leak. It has been successfully fixed. But the soft top roof to be replaced would cost $1250-. It is my observation that there are a lot of convertibles during the model years of 1997 (mine) and other years (1998- ?). I called Chrysler and they noted my complaint but haven't addressed the problem to my knowledge. I think this should be a recall as I see it on many converibles. What if one of these tops were to tear loose? That's my concern!!
Whenever the brakes were in use the calipers failed to open. Vehicle would stop until noise indicated a problem with brakes. Would take to dealership & mechanic replaced brakes. The brake problem happened at least 5 times so far. Last time brakes just gave way & needed to use emergency brakes to stop vehicle. On 5th set of brakes. Also, remote control does not work/ both front windows glass distorted/replaced spark plugs/replaced transmission interlock system/replaced noisy front end/replaced starter, and realigned driver's side door hinge.
Trunk and trunk lid assembly with waterproof seals have failed repeatedly. Seals, 3rd taillight assembly, side weatherstrip, deck lid weather strip, top weather strip have been replaced repeatedly. New carpet in trunk, new tail light assemblies have been replaced repeatedly. Trunk continues to leak. Drain holes have been cleared repeatedly. Problem can not be fixed by dealership. Another appt. Is scheduled for this month. Water is standing in trunk even when there has been no rain for days/weeks.
I have called the Chrysler corporation about the draining holes of my Sebring and they have said there is no problem. I've asked a couple of people and they said that the holes are too small. My car will get destroyed at this rate. When it was still under warranty they could not figure out the problem at the dealer they thought it was from the convertible top or the seals of the windows. Now I know what the problem is but they say there are no recalls on this problem. I don't know what to do anymore.
Three months after purchase the consumer noticed that the door panel was loose and had a body shop push it back in place, a few months later while driving the entire door panel came off the vehicle almost hitting another vehicle, dealer claimed that this happened to all 1997 sebrings but they refused to replace panel because the warranty was expired. Nlm
Mirrors & plastic parts of trunk are faded - a gray color. The sun roof visor keeps coming off track. There is a noise in the fuel system coming from underneath the back seat. Sounds like a high pitched whine. Cd player stopped accepting cds. There is a whistling noise & leak from the passenger side window (up from the mirror).
NHTSA investigations
Convertible top cover disengagement
Alleged that the convertible top cover May disengage from the subject vehicles while driving.
Body complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, 9% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chrysler Sebring body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 6 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 1997 Chrysler Sebring body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.