Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Recall 98V183000 concerning ignition key shift interlock: after having recall repairs done on August 27, 2004 vehicle came out of park while parked at an incline. Vehicle rolled down through some tree line and landed in a ditch. 9 year old grand child , who was in the vehicle, sustained injuries to the neck, rib and both ankles, and was transported by an ambulance to a local hospital.
My wife's 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible was parked in a wal-mart parking lot on U.S. Route 130n, hamilton township, nj. She got into the car, started it up and moved the console shift lever toward "d". She had parked facing the lane between the parking spaces so she could drive forward and not have to back out of the spot. When the shift lever got to "r" the car lurched rearward and then as the gear shift went to "d" the car shot forward even though her foot was planted firmly on the break (you can't shift this car without having the brake pedal depressed). The wal-mart security film shows white smoke issuing from the front wheel wells as the car rockets out of sight. The car sped about 250-300 feet before my wife steered into the wal-mart plant display and the car finally stopped. No injuries to anyone and no damage to any other cars. …
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. …
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. …
Upon attempting to start the car, I had to put the car in neutral or jiggle the gear in park in order to start the car. I replaced the starter thinking that was why the car would not start. I was informed by several auto part stores that I would have to replace the neutral safety switch, had that replaced and the car still would not start. I had my car towed to ganley Dodge to have them put the transmission back into my car, which cost me $70 plus $180 diagnostic. The ganley Dodge gave me a quote of $3500 for a new transmission. That was not in my budget, I then had my car towed by transmission world to their shop, I explained to them the problems I was having with my car, prior to this I didn't have any problems with the transmission. …
I am the owner of a 1998 Chrysler Sebring, and recently have had problems with the transmission (automatic) not shifting correctly. We took the vehicle in to have it checked out and the shop said that this is a common problem with this vehicle. They said that when the ect module inside the transmission goes bad, it causes the whole transmission to burn out. We took the vehicle to the local Chrysler dealer to get a second opinion and they too confirmed that the transmission had gone bad, due to the module going out. My boyfriend works in the automotive parts business and he talked to a few shops about this vehicle and they all said that this is a common problem for the Chrysler Sebring. The vehicle has about 112K miles. We were quoted 3K to repair the vehicle at the Chrysler dealer. Ts
I went to have the transmission looked at as it's under warranty. I bought this car with 75,000 miles on it 3 years ago. Shortly after that the transmission went out. When the mechanic put one in he found out that there was already a used one in there. Two months later that tranmission went out and it got replaced. Well this brings us to present day where I'm getting it checked out and have them check everything out. They tell me that the rear ball joints are out and it'll cost $1200 to fix it. I'm like that's not worth it. I then find out that this is recalled.
1998 Chrysler Sebring. Consumer writes in regards to transaxle floor shifter ignition/park interlock recall repair history. The consumer wanted to know, if the vehicle was fixed properly, due to the fact the vehicle was recently purchased and the recall was issued in 2005.
Consumer received recall 98V183000 for the shift interlock. Took vehicleto dealer, and was told upon her arrival, that recall repairs for had been performed in febuary 2005. Consumer had not taken vehicle to dealer prior to the incident date.
Vehicle was parked inside of driveway, consumer's daughter was inside of the vehicle. The keys were not in the ignition. Car started to roll and the daughter jump out of the vehicle, and vehicle rolled into a ditch.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock May fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock May also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on June 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
NHTSA investigations
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an…
Transmission complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, 9% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 98V-183 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.