Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, she attempted to avoid another vehicle from crashing into the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete wall and the air bags deployed. The front passenger sustained face injuries from the plastic cover from the air bags and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact crashed into an animal. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.
Airbag/clockspring failure. Was in front end crash at 25-30mph and airbags did not go off. This was on 06-26-04 got the car fix at earnhardt auto body a five star dealer. On 10-09-04 the airbag light came on. So I took it back they said they would call my insurance to see if they would cover the work. They would if it was from the crash. The computer showed no error code so I had to pay. Body shop said they can't fix I would have to take to service.but the tech at body said it was a bad clockspring. So on 10-11-04 I took to service and they told me they would have to do a diagnostic which I had just paid for at there body shop. I told them this but this did'nt matter.but I need my car getting to work. So I let them keep it for a diagnostic. A few hours later they called and said it was a bad clockspring and it would cost about $481.00. Because my warranty was up in time not miles. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While stopped at a red light, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by an SUV. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy. Two people were injured and had to be transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The contact believes that the impact was great enough for the airbags to have deployed. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 86,000.
While driving approximately 30 MPH brake pedal fell apart, causing vehicle to hit a temporary concrete wall in a construction zone. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries to the head and arms. The rubber grip on the brakes popped off when brakes were applied. Consumer noted the air bags were a design flaw since they didn't deploy even though there are two sensors. Vehicle has been repaired. (father on behalf on son).
Tl*- the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving at 30 MPH the contact's vehicle crashed into the passenge's r door of a 2001 Dodge Ram. The air bags did not deploy during the crash. The manufacturer stated that the crash did not create the longitudinal back to front deceleration necessary to deploy air bag. The onboard computer report stated that the air bags were operational. The crash destroyed the vehicle. The current mileage was 85000 . Updated 04/12/07.
Dt: caller said 3 times her air bag light come on, and had it fixed twice. She did not remember the first time. The second time was in August 2004 ,and the last time was on July 24, 2005. Caller's vehicle was involved in an accident on July 14, 2005. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy, and the air bag light was not on. Dealer was not contacted yet. Manufacturer said warranty expired.
My wife was in a frontal crash with enough impact to nearly push the engine into the passenger compartment. The car was totaled by the insurance company. The air bags never deployed. I believe this was defective equipment or design. I do have digital pictures that show the extent of damage.
I was driving around town and my air bag light came on. Now the steering wheel kinda clunks when you turn it and is stiff when making turns. Since this has happen my horn nor my cruise control works. Contacted Chrysler and my VIN isn't in the recall for air bag issues. Seems unsafe
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision while driving at 20 MPH and the front air bags did not deploy. There was no indication or warning that there was a problem with the air bags before the collision.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and…
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which May not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.
Airbag complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, 13% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler Sebring airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-401 (inflator module, Jun 3, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-338 (inflator module, Jun 2, 2015); NHTSA recall 00V-306 (frontal, Oct 12, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler Sebring airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags 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.