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 1999 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Car will stall at any speed. Will restart after about 15 tries. Happens after filling tank. 1st thought it was bad gas. But tried different stations. Same problem. Sporadic. Often happens when I shut off car and then attempt to start it again a few minutes later. Doesn't seem to be a problem when the car is cold. Very dangerous situation on high speed roadways.
On 4/22/04 I took my 1999 Chrysler severing convertible to be services because the ac didn't seem to be cooling and there was a grinding noise in the front drivers side wheel. Turns out the rack & pinion steering is shot, the cooling core is cracked and the cooling sensor is not functioning properly. Repairs would total more than $2100 to fix. Requested a front end alignment and took vehicle home to consider options. Two days later vehicle failed when started, 'service engine soon' light came on, speedometer didn't work, and vehicle was stuck in 2nd gear. Found out that both transmission sensors are bad, there is silver sludge in transmission and I need new front brakes. This vehicle has 48,000 miles on it. Has been services according to manufactures recommendations and I can't wait to get rid of it.
Main transmission seal failure, pan gasket failure, bushings and support bracket failure. The consumer received a recall letter regarding a defective interlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs, however the consumer believed since the recall was performed, additional problems with the transmission had arisen. The consumer was told the problems that have occurred had not to do with the recall. Prior to receiving the recall notice, on several occasions, the consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle was not in park, on another occasion, the vehicle rolled into a parking garage which caused damaged to the consumers rear bumper.
The consumer received a recall notice(00V421002) lower ball joint boot. After the work was done the consumer had an accident. The consumer applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. The driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a curb. The vehicle stalled and the driver was unable to restart. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The driver went to the hospital on his own. The problem has been undetermined at this time. Chrysler service manager faulkner. The vehicle stalled and the gear shift failed which May have caused the accident. Per inspection, the steering was found damaged. Refer to recall#01i012000.
This car is a death trap and needs to be investigated. Car will lose all power, steering, and brakes while traveling at speeds up to 55mph. This is very dangerous and I almost killed myself because of this issue. I have taken the car to 3 mechanics and they cannot diagnose the problem. Chrysler won't even return my calls regarding the issue, which I've researched and found hundreds of others with this same problem. This is a huge safety hazard and Chrysler should take responsibility for whatever it is that is causing this to happen. I'm wondering if I can take legal action against them. This is absolutely unacceptable.
When accelerating to approximately 50 MPH my 1999 Chrysler Sebring jxi has recently started to shudder at 3-4 gear changes. Was advised by mechanic that torque converter is going out. About 2 months prior tachometer started moving irratically. Dealership advised guages needed to be reset, but problem has persisted. Although possibily unrealated, this afternoon (day after seeing mechanic for torque converter problem), my car began to overheat while idling for only 2-3 mins. I immediately turned off ignition, and had car towed to dealership. I am waiting for a diagnosis.
Upset with the fact that I have two Chrysler products: 1990 Plymouth voyager and 1999 chrsyler Sebring both of which failed prematurely. The voyager had two transmission replacments and the Sebring had one transmission replaced. Both failed before 70,000 miles. I see that there's bulletins addressing the issues, but when the dealer was contacted I was told sorry and it's to late to make any claims. We are all aware there are secret warranty watches as well as reasonable durability. I have written and called but seem to get nowhere
While driving 60 MPH, the consumer heard a thud coming from the vehicle. Two miles down the road the engine stalled on a bridge. The vehicle was towed to a garage and was examined by a mechanic. The mechanic found a hole in the transmission, caused by the differential and the keeper pin separating inside the transmission. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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 1999 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Chrysler Sebring, 21% of the model year's 264 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.