Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall. I am having several issues with the whole braking system, as it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of having no brakes. I have no type of brakes at all. When taken off parking, even with foot on brake, car will begin to move. This seems to be very common in these cars. The fuel pump was also replaced as it was letting less power go through. This happens as the car sits in parking, as well as, when driving. Also, the mechanic that looked at the car said that the pump needed to be replaced due to possible fire hazards. The lights flicker on and off by themselves, sometimes radio works, sometimes, lights get stuck on.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Sebring. Prior to purchasing the vehicle, the contact was not informed by the dealer that the vehicle needed extensive repairs. The contact requested reimursement. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving black smoke began coming from underneath the hood. There was no indication on the instrument panel of any malfunction. The consumer pulled to the side of the road and the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer noticed that the fire was underneath the passenger side of the hood of the vehicle. The consumer was told by a daimler Chrysler inspector that the fire was due to a electrical problem which started in the generator system.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that the key does not always turn when inserting it into the ignition. This frequently prevents her from operating the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer twice and they replaced the ignition lock cylinder both times at the cost of $400 each. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 72,640 and current mileage was 80,000.
Vehicle does not shift properly, heavy "thunking" when shifting into and out of drive and reverse. (regarding number of failures: this happened every time vehicle was shifted over a period of several days. Immediately brought vehicle to dealership and transmission output sensor was replaced. (note: filed as separate complaint - 6 months and 2,250 miles later similar problems and transmission input sensor was replaced)
Vehicle will not shift out of lowest gear (directly related to this: speedometer didn't work; vehicle overheating, but not registering on temp guage; compass/mpg/etc. Not functioning). Brought to dealership where output sensor was replaced. See complaint #10081186: 6 months and 2250 miles prior input sensor was replaced.
Vehicle failed ( complete mechanical stop) on highspeed highway interstate: twice from electronic failures in transmission soliniods, leading to a third failure from the transmission, the 4th was a complete electronic failure, followed by the 5th failure-same as the 4th the next day after Chrysler serviced the vehicle.
Car had been cutting out while driving for about a week and a half. Today while driving on a 4-lane very busy divided highway about 55 MPH, car shut off and restarted. Then when brakes were applied to turn and cross two lanes of traffic through median turn-off, car died and would not restart. Car would crank but would not turn over. Luckily a friend came by and pushed car out of the middle of the highway to a safe area. I called the towing company and then tried to start the car. It had been approximately 5-10 minutes and car restarted. I got the car home and parked it. I will be having the car towed to the repair shop and I do not feel safe driving it. I have looked up information regarding this mechanical failure and have found that it is a common occurrence in 1996-1999 sebrings. Most owners have paid a lot of money to get the problem corrected. …
I had a family member pickup up my vehicle from the airport parking lot one time I was away. They used my spare key. After the vehicle started it died and would not start. I had it towed to a Chrysler dealer. They told me I was using a key that fried a computer chip. It was a key I received from the dealer when I bought the car. I had used that spare key before. Now on occasion the engine will just shut off, not stall or anything. It has happened as I was starting first thing in the morning, at a stop light or as I am traveling down the highway. I have to pull over and try to restart. Sometimes it will start right up and at other times it will start 10 minutes later.
Doors and body dent very easily. This is my second Sebring convertable, and my last, sad to say, because I don't think the sheet metal is thick enough. This could have been a beautiful car, so fun to drive with the top down but the dings and dents are everywhere! Looks like a washboard! Also, several problems with electrical system. Check engine light comes on all the time and the dealer says there is no problem with it! Try telling that to the person you're selling the car too! Also, for such an expensive car, you'd think they'd make the convertable top to last longer. In both of the sebrings I owned the cloth top had to be replaced within the first 3 years!
Electrical complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chrysler Sebring, 10% of the model year's 264 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chrysler Sebring electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 2 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 1999 Chrysler Sebring electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.