Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
After explaining to my mechanic that my front end was rubbing and grinding at a speed of 40 and above, and that it was worse while driving straight or bearing left, while bearing right the rubbing and grinding lessened a lot. My mechanic said that he replaced front brakes & balanced wheels. The same situation still existed. He stated that my front axle needed to be replaced, & he would replace it when he came back from vacation. I explained to the mechanic that it was getting worse and if my children and I would be safe driving the vehicle until he returned, he said it would be fine to drive. On June 30th 2007 ,the children and I noticed it was getting worse. I drove the car home. I then decided to go for a ride with it, alone. I started driving on route 195 east in the high speed lane with my cruise control set at 65 MPH. …
On jan 1999 I was going to work an my steering wheel locked and I could not steer the car so I lost control and hit an enbankment. I took the car in to be serviced and the said it was my fault because there was a wire underneith the car that caused the belt to come off but the wire was there due to me hitting the enbankment.also inside the car under the steering the carpet is burned,and the car 's steering is not right iv'e taken it to be balanced and aligned and nothing seems to help.also there is a recent recall. I would like previous damage to vehicle fixed.due to the steering. I also don't know if it is safe tobe traveling in the vehicle.
While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle felt like it was hesitating, consumer heard noises, then the vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle ,drove it for about 100 feet ,heard explosion ,vehicle had caught on fire in the engine, which resulted in total loss of control. Chrysler investigator felt power steering fluid leaked on top of cataylic converter, causing fire.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible. After the vehicle was off for ten minutes, it would not restart. The contact attempted to unlock the vehicle, but the entire ignition system was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. She is still unable to operate the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.
Owner says that the floor mats bind up, causing the mats to tangle up with the intermediate steering shaft coupler, which could cause the vehicle to lose steering control. Currently the manufacturer recalled the 1998-99 Sebring jxi convertible limited edition. The owner has a jx convertible which was not being recalled for this problem.
Continual front end problems including the collapsing of the left front control arm. It could have been a "fatal" defect if the car were travelling at a faster rate of speed. Expensive extended warranty did not cover repair.. Wheels just do not collapse for no reason.
Right tie rod end broke, resulting in loss of steering, with right front wheel not steering when steering wheel turned. Fortunately it happened just after exiting a high speed expressway. Car is well cared for, not abused, and has only 58000 miles on it.
I purchased this car on nov 2, 2003. When I purchased it, there was a rattling noise when you go over bumps, and also when the car goes up to 70 you could here a grinding like noise in (what I thought was the engine). They told me to go ahead and take the car and they scheduled me for service the following Friday. When I brought the car in, they said they didn't work on chryslers and sent the car to tuffy. When it was time to pick up the car, the guy tore up the bill of service and said you're all set, so I really don't know what was done. When I asked for a copy he said he didn't have it, but could it order it for me. When I drove home, the rattling noise under the front left side was gone, but when I got off the freeway and tried to make a left turn, the car pulled away in the opposite direction and didn't want to turn. I almost ran into a tree. …
Purchased a 1998 Chrysler Sebring July 1998. Had so many problems within a few week period that the dealer took it back, and gave me another one in August 1998. After a couple of weeks, the 2nd Sebring developed similar problems. When driving over bumps primarily on left side, a loud metalic rat-a-tat-tat sound coming from wheels. Also, intermittent steering problems. When making a right turn, with foot on brake pedal, steering wheel pulls to the left. Same results when making a left turn, steering wheel pulls to the right.
Rmps will rev up, and engine check engine light will come on . The dealer has replaced steering pump and switch. The dealer has been having trouble duplicating the problem. The power steering rack has been replaced and light has not come back on but vehicle performance has not improved. Manufacturer has been notified.
NHTSA investigations
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
Steering complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, 7% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is column locking › anti-theft device (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Sebring steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.