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 2002 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized and caused the vehicle to crash into a concrete divider. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was not sure if a police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bag on the driver side exploded. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The driver had metal fragments in the arm as a result of the explosion. Both the driver and passenger received medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45mph a deer and telephone pole were struck with the front end of the vehicle. The frontal air bags did not deploy during the accident however, an hour later both frontal air bags deployed. The contact was not the driver of the vehicle therefore, it is uncertain if there was pre-impact braking. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and no injuries were sustained. The air bag warning light did not illuminate. As a result of the accident the vehicle caught fire and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealership. The insurance company has the vehicle performing an investigation. The police were alerted and a report was filed at the scene. The vehicle is a 2002 Chrysler Sebring lxi.
The airbag light has come on and off for the last couple of month. I took it to the dealership and also did some research online regarding the light only to find that this is a more than common, irreparable issue. On 2/10/2015, while driving- specifically coming to a stop, I saw a swirl of what appeared to be smoke, coming out around the steering column. A woman, with only my son in the car, I was fearful, pulled the car to the side and had it towed. I have since been advised that what I saw was not smoke, rather, powder from the airbag which is apparently leaking. That has not been repaired. I resumed driving and after about a day and a half, the air bag light is back on.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While the contact's daughter was driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. His daughter crashed into another vehicle and the front air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed and would not investigate why the air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter received injuries to her face and neck. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Second failure of 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible air bag deployment . My wife had a head -on collision of left fender while turning. The airbag did not deploy. This is a the second time of an accident and the airbag did not deploy. My wife suffered a severe concussion again from the steering wheel although she was wearing a seat belt. Is there a Sebring air bag problem similar to the Chrysler Mini-van deployment. Car is currently located at dealer undergoing repairs.
While driving an accident occurred. There was snow and ice . Consumer was driving at 25 MPH. The air bag did not deploy right away. However, the air bag deployed about two to three minutes after the impact. This was a head on collision. Both the driver, and passenger were injured. The drivers side air bag deployed but was not inflated. The passenger side air bag deployed half way. The driver hit the steering wheel bending the steering wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring sedan. While driving at 30 MPH, the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
My air bag light has come on and has been on for over 3 months. I saw today on wink news that 2002 chryslers were being recalled due to air bags. I looked up my vehicle by VIN number and it says 0 recalls. Could you please let me know if auto is safe to drive.
Air bag did not released in crash where my vehicle, 2002 Chrysler Sebring sedan, was going 20 MPH and hit by vehicle going 45 MPH. My vehicle sustained over $9000 damage. I received a minor injury.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, 12% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Sebring airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-401 (inflator module, Jun 3, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-338 (inflator module, Jun 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chrysler Sebring airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 10 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.