Most common 1999 Chrysler Sebring problems
Share of the 264 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chrysler Sebring complaints by model year
Best Sebring years: 2009, 2003, 2010. Years to avoid: 1996, 2001, 2002, 1998, 2007. Compare all years →
1999 Chrysler Sebring recalls (2)
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1999 Chrysler Sebring:
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
Three of the manfacturer complaints and two of the manufacturer crashes reported above were duplicates of odi reports.the majority of crashes occurred after operators parked the vehicle without engaging park gear position; a non-functional ignition-park interlock system subsequently failed to prevent key removal before the operators exited the vehicle.most of the crashes were minor and involved minor property…
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.
Door panel/garnish separation
Alleged that the plastic garnish panels mounted on doors detach from their mountings, sometimes while the vehicle is in motion
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…
What 1999 Chrysler Sebring owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 55 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 24, 1020 belmont st, brockton, ma, 02301) where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture in the camshaft timing and that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that it was a safety hazard to work on the vehicle due to its condition. The vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
While slowly backing out of our driveway in reverse in our 1999 Chrysler Sebring convertible, the car suddenly accelerated to full throttle, I stepped on the brake, tried to shift to neutral, instead shifted to drive and the car shot forward at full throttle until hitting a golf cart and the end of the garage, despite standing on the brake full force. It only stopped after turning off the ignition.
Body & structure all 46 →
I purchase this used 1999 Chrysler Sebring lxi 2 years ago and was told by the dealer it only needed a wheel alignment. After attempting to get an alignment I was informed that the lower lateral control arms needed to be replaced. This is extremely scary and very hard to get fixed because of my work schedule. I contacted a dealer and was told that my car had the recall work done in 2001. I looked my VIN up on the Chrysler website and was advised there was no recall affecting my vehicle. Firestone would have charged me over $1000 to fix the problem, but I can not afford to. My vehicle is currently undriveable. I am also having issues with my driver side door which hangs slightly when opened and must be lifted to close. My side panels on both doors keep getting dislodged but have not fell off yet. I am truly afraid for the safety of my family with this vehicle and do not know what to do. …
I have a 1999 Chrysler Sebring which has had the ball joint come out of both sides of the vehicle of the front 2 wheels about 6 months apart. This has caused damage to my vehicle which I have repaired. I am very concerned about my safety and the safety of my family because this last time I was about a mile away from getting on the highway, which could have been deadly. I feel that this is a safety issue and wonder about recalls and if I should be reimbursed. The tow to my home was $106, the tow to the mechanic was $65 and the mechanic bill was $303. This is just the drivers side. This happened on the passenger side as well and I feel I should be reimbursed for both. Documents of these charges can definitely be provided if needed. I am concerned about this happening again, not just my own car but anyone else that May be driving one of these vehicles. Please let me know either way. …
Suspension all 33 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the front end of the vehicle collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the front driver's side lower ball joint and axle fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign number: 09e056000 (suspension) however, the recall expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 10/3/2017
Driving down road, around 10 miles a hour, the car suddenly went clunk on the left side, and would not move. Got out to check, and the entire piece that holds the tire on was laying on the interior of the tire rim.
1999 Chrysler Sebring engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chrysler Sebring a good car?
Based on 264 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Sebring rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sebring at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chrysler Sebring?
The transmission & drivetrain — 55 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the body & structure (46) and suspension (33).
How many recalls does the 1999 Chrysler Sebring have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring, the most recent from January 13, 2004 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chrysler Sebring?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2003 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 2001, 2002, 1998 and 2007. See the full Chrysler Sebring years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Chrysler Sebring problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.