Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
Dt: was driving at an unknown speed and pulled in front of a bowling alley to pick up another passenger. Turned the engine off with key in ignition, within a matter of seconds the vehicle began to roll forward. The car gained speed and was too quick before the consumer could gain control. The vehicle went down an incline and crashed into a parking lot pole. The air bags did not deploy. Both passenger had seat belts on but passenger seat belt did not remain locked and passenger struck the windshield, this did not unlatch but a great deal slack came from that seat belt. Had received a recall on the transaxles floor shift(no NHTSA recall camp id# available) this recall had not been performed. …
Dt: the contact received a recall letter on 3-15-05 concerning the trans axle floor shifter ignition/park interlock she called at the end of March or the beginning of April and made an appointment to have vehicle checked. On 5-7-05, before the scheduled appointment, the vehicle popped out of gear and hit a pole. And the estimated damage was $8,700. On 5-12-05 Chrysler sent an investigator to check the vehicle . The consumer was not present at the inspection, but someone else who was at the inspection claimed that the investigator tried to start the car and it wouldn't start. He did not think the trans axle floor shifter ignition/park interlock had anything to do with the crash. The consumer did not agree, stating that the driver and the passenger were injured in the crash. Neither the seat belts nor the air bags worked in the crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. While attempting to put on the seat belt, the seat belt did not release and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. ....updated 07/05/16 the consumer stated the solenoid was defective. Updated 07/14/16.
Dt: consumer received recall 04V021000, on March 15, 2005. She had called dealer to arrange for repairs, but they told her to bring the vehicle in at her convenience. The recall work was never performed. On May 7, 2005 she was picking her daughter and while the vehicle was in park it went down a small hill in a parking lot and traveled at least 200-300 feet. The vehicle was also turned off. This happened so fast she could not remember whether the brakes worked at that time. There was a telephone pole that stopped the vehicle. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy, and the seat belts did not restrain the passengers. The passengers head went through the windshield and her knees hit the dash board. The driver's right rotor cuff and neck were injured. There was $8700 worth of damage to the vehicle, and it was totaled. The manufacturer stated that they could not do anything about it. …
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.
Tl* - the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. The contact observed that the driver and passenger front automatic shoulder belt retractors were inoperative. The malfunction does not allow the webbing to be extracted. The shoulder and lap belt can not be worn by the occupants in the front driver and passenger seats. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunctions and there was no resolution. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. Both the failure and the current mileage were 152,200.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt remained stuck in the retracted position and he was unable to use the seatbelt. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 111,320 and the approximate failure mileage was 111,300.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger and driver's side seat belts would not retract. The occupants are insufficiently protected in the event of a crash. The dealer stated that the seat belt timing control module needed to be replaced at the cost of $150. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 121,000.
Dt: the seat belts on drivers and passengers sides do not work properly. The strap will get stuck in the retractor, it will not move. Most of the time on the drivers side it hardly ever works. This started on August 24, 2004. Contacted the dealer they are going to charge to fix it. The consumer thinks that Chrysler should replace the seat belts free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Seat Belt complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, 13% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is front › retractor (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chrysler Sebring seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to seat belts 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.