Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Due to problems with ball joint and vibrations when trying to stop vehicle I ran into the back of a truck and pushed that truck into the back of a Mercedes. The impact was significant and resulted in a hole in the front of my 98 Chrysler Sebring lxi. Luckily, no one was hurt. The driver of the Mercedes was anxious to leave the scene and since there was no damage to the truck I hit, everyone agreed not to stick around for the police. The air bag did not deploy. About a year and a half ago my son, who was 18 years old at the time, was driving and when he failed to stop at a stop sign he ran into the side of someone else's car. This incident was reported to the police and there was a couple thousand dollars worth of damage to my car, not counting the damage to the other vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. My son bumped his head, but thankfully, was not seriously hurt.
This owner''s ''98 Chrysler Sebring was serviced for remedy relative to recall campaign 04v-421-002 at approximately 160,000 miles. At approximately 171,000 miles the lower lateral arm separated from the ball joint at low speed (20 '' 25 MPH). Owner stated that after action inspection found the joint dry (no lubrication) & pitted. ''it wore to the point where it popped out of the socket.'' there were no injuries as a result of the incident. Damaged systems include, half-shaft, wheel, tire, fender, front fascia and possibly transmission. Chrysler is currently inspecting vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the front driver side tire detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the lower ball joint and axle failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lower arm control, lower ball joint, tie rod, and axle failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
The left front came off while traveling 40 MPH. Vehicle was towed. Dealer made the repairs to the upper ball joint. Manufacturer told the consumer to take the vehicle to another dealer. On 12/31/04 the left front wheel dislocated from vehicle, cause was due to failure of lower lateral ball joint which is noted in safety recall 00V421002. Daimler Chrysler has refused to provide compensation for damages to vehicle and expenses.
NHTSA campaign id number 00V421002 make Chrysler / model Sebring / year 1998 [redacted] recall number 967 front ball joint fell apart and almost killed both of us . We were never notified by Chrysler there was a recall on this vehicle or we would have had it looked at immediately .
History of failed attempts of dealer [ whitten brothers,richmond,va ] to diagnosis this problem and correct it. Problem is a harsh noise coming from the front[under ]the car when a road pot hole or imperfection [substantial ] is run over. The noise is pronounced , indicating some type of defect must be present.. The last time I was there at whitten bros the recall which would have corrected this was not issued yet... Recall announced below ..I was never notified ,,I am the original owner and should have been notified with a recall letter. Recalled announced 12/27/2010 NHTSA reference # 10e059000 number affected : 22,689 suspension : front : control arm : lower arm federal-mogul : recalled replacement control arm assemblies parts #. …
History of failed attempts of dealer [ whitten brothers,richmond,va ] to diagnosis this problem and correct it. Problem is a harsh noise coming from the front[under ]the car when a road pot hole or imperfection [substantial ] is run over. The noise is pronounced , indicating some type of defect must be present.. The last time I was there at whitten bros the recall which would have corrected this was not issued yet... Recall announced below ..I was never notified ,,I am the original owner and should have been recalled... Recalled announced 12/27/2010 NHTSA reference # 10e059000 number affected : 22,689 suspension : front : control arm : lower arm federal-mogul : recalled replacement control arm assemblies parts #. …
History of failed attempts of dealer [ whitten brothers, richmond,va ] to diagnosis this problem and correct it. Problem is a harsh noise coming from the front [under ] the car when a road pot hole or imperfection [substantial ] is run over. The noise is pronounced , indicating some type of defect must be present. The last time I was there at whitten bros [5/2009] the recall which would have corrected this was not issued yet... Recall announced below ..I was never notified. I am the original owner and should have been notified of the recall by certified mail. Recalled announced 12/27/2010 by NHTSA. NHTSA reference # 10e059000 number affected : 22,689 suspension : front : control arm : lower arm federal-mogul : recalled replacement control arm assemblies parts #. …
I have this car from 2011, I went to the dealer on bakersfield ca, to program the alarm pager, they change the shift part because have a recall, after that day my car start to stop, check engine light goes off, I change the speed sensor on the transmission, the cramchack sensor, the distributor, the map sensor, the EGR valve, the fuel pump and fuel filter, all the relays, the car works for a little and start to stop suddenly, anywhere. Some times I go to the store to buy groceries, he start to shake from the suspension, and the car stop 2 or 3 times, on one trip. On August 15 I went to bakersfield to see my doctor because I'm permanently disable, and the car stop on the freeway at speed of 65 miles, I let the car for a wile resting and after that he start again, when I go out on union exit the car stop again, today I went to the market and I have to push the car all the way to my home. …
My vehicle suffered the exact failure of suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint failure of recall NHTSA campaign id number: 00V421002 NHTSA action number: rq00015. This basically causes a drive wheel to all but fall off, rendering the car immediately inoperable, regardless of how dangerous the circumstances. I was very lucky in that I was in a residential neighborhood traveling at a low speed, otherwise I could well be dead. I have taken the car into south bay Chrysler in torrance california, and despite the very clear nature of the recall, south bay Chrysler in torrance, claims (as they have apparently done with hundreds of others) that my car is not subject to that recall and pay for the repairs. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints.
Suspension complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, 11% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is front (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V421002 (lower ball joint, Dec 18, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to suspension 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.