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 1998 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car was involved in an accident at 5400 miles, resulting in extensive damage to the front right side. Since this time, the car will not stay in alignment. The steering knuckle, hub & low control arm were replaced but the right camber was still out. The upper control arm & upper strut bracket was then replaced, but the alignment was still out. Next, the camber was raised but align. Was out. The eng. Cradel and porta-power cradel was loosened to adjust nonadjustable camber/caster and the toe was set. On 10/01/99 the car (13,100 miles) was again returned to repair and they found the right front camber again out of align. On 8/18/00, the car, with 19,300 miles was returned again, with two badly worn front tires (one flat). Again, the car was out of alignment. The manager informed me that these vehicles do not hold an alignment (because they're high performance). …
I purchased a 1998 Chrysler Sebring lxi the car has numerous problems, one is the control arm in the vehicle. This is a list of other evac problems - I was told that there was a recall on my vehicle for various problems - please advice - need help - called Chrysler dealerships and first they said my vehicle was not affected - then they tell me they can charge me $149.00 to reset the computer catalyst(g)/nmhccatalyst(d) evaporative system(g)/ unsupportive(d) 02 sensor(g) exhaust gas sensor(d) 02 sensor heater (g) pm filter (d) EGR/vvt (g,d) po455 evaporative emission system leak detected (large leak) my headlamps are yellow and my rear window looks like there is some kind of mold sandwiched into the glass and defrost...almost impossible to see out of at night.
Plz note 1998 Chrysler sebrings door levers will break on you both mine did as well as others I notice on the internet. First it was one door handle tried to lift it and the other one brakes. So for mths I had to get into the passenger side door to open drivers side door. Then passenger side door lever wont open. I read some guy door even came of while he was driving. And to there is a distributor you will have that problem I notice with a 1998 Chrysler Sebring it will die on you. You will tow it and cost thousands to repair. As far as the doors im calling Chrysler if any recalls on both doors..and most likely pay hundreds to get it fix by some1. [redacted]
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 10 MPH in the turn lane, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle crossing in the wrong lane. The passenger side, front fender, and alignment were severely damaged on the contact's vehicle. In addition, the trunk would not open, the doors were not installed correctly, and oil was leaking from holes in the engine. The vehicle has been inspected by five body shops and the dealer. There were no injuries, but a police report was filed. The contact has pictures of the damage. The failure mileage was 89,000 and current mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/07/09 the consumer stated the repair facility did a poor job of fixing the vehicle after an accident. Updated 05/08/09.
After having two hydraulic pistons for the convertible top replaced by the dealer=courtesy Chrysler,Jeep of casselberry,florida=and paying $518 ,I proceeded to lower the top to check it out,I heard a snap or cracking noise and the top lowered into position on the passenger side while staying about six inches above proper seating. This happened in front of the repair mgr's office . The mgr and repair man claimed it was not their responsibility and they would fix it by buying another roof siderail and install it for another $1200.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. While parked, the contact noticed water leaking onto the front driver side floor board. Additionally, the distributor failed twice. The contact noticed a whining sound coming from the engine and an increase in the vehicle temperature. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the engine would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
When we acquired our 1998 Chrysler Sebring June 2010, both outside door handles were broken. We could only open the door through an open window. The dealer wanted $500 to install them. In April 2012, the passenger handle broke again. Now, June 2012, the driver handle broke again. The parts installed two years ago have both broken again. These parts are plastic and apparently do not last very long. Is there a recall? What do we do?
In April 2003 my exterior driverside doorhandle broke off. In june2003, my exterior passanger side doorhandle broke off. Both handles broke off in the same places. Very weak plastic, dealer told me the car was old(1998). I have owned older cars and had no problems with the handles breaking off. I am not that strong I didn't rip it off.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 55 MPH, the driver side door detached from the vehicle. The dealer stated that the door clips were not tightly secured and offered to replace the door. There were no injuries. The current and failure mileages were 138,000.
Dt: the contact stated while driving at 60 MPH the hood separated from the vehicle and fell off. There were no injuries reported with the incident. Chrysler has been contacted. They offered no free remedy. He had no prior problems with the hood.
NHTSA investigations
Door panel/garnish separation
Alleged that the plastic garnish panels mounted on doors detach from their mountings, sometimes while the vehicle is in motion
Body complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, 23% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Sebring body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 4 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 1998 Chrysler Sebring body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries 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.