Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When slowing down to stop, the vehicle lunges forward. (forcefull), so much that I hit someone that was 5+ft infront of me I do not have pictures with me. But I can provide them and also the repair bill
Shortly after I took delivery on my 2004 Sebring sedan in July, 2004, I returned to the dealer because the car would shake and stall out at low idle speeds. The dealer addressed the problem. The problem recurred again in late 2005, but this time, it didn't always stall out. At times while I was breaking or even stopped with my foot on the break, the car would suddenly surge forward without my touching the accelerator. I took it to the dealership again, and it was fixed, I was told, by a computer update, and I got it back on 12/1/05. I noticed that the problem was recurring as I drove about 450 miles on January 3rd and 4th of 2006. I planned to take the car back to the dealership after driving home on 1/6. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed however, the brakes failed to slow the vehicle. The contact was able to place the shifter in the neutral position to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact also stated that when the vehicle was restarted, the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Dt: the contact stated the accelerator pedal stuck , causing an accident. When the accelerator pedal stuck the contact could not control the vehicle. There was a problem with the accelerator pedal sticking prior to the accident. Then, the vehicle was inspected to determine the problem, but was not repaired. After the accident a diagnostic test was performed, but it did not show anything wrong with the vehicle. This was an intermittent problem. The vehicle has not been repaired. Updated 11/7/2005.
When cruise control on, when you step on brake at stoplight, accelerates un- controllably. Must slam on brakes, shift to neutral, and turn ignition off. Then would accelerate again several times when trying to restart car. I think cruise control finally went off.
I have already submitted one complaint and this is an extension of that plus a new complaint. On 7/11/2004 my vehicle surged again when I started to take my foot off the brake while sitting at a stop sign. When will an investigation begin on this problem? Including my past complaint I have found 10 complaints about this problem. Does someone have to die before an investigation is started? The odi id# for just the surging issue are: 10075295, 10079965, 10079969, 10072311, 10063597, 10064593, 10074633, 10065378, 10075041, and 10080475. I informed the dealership about the problem and they looked at all the sensors and computers and said they found no problem or record of a problem in the car's computer, this was on 7/12/2004. …
Follow up to odi #10064593. Vehicle continues to accelerate unexpectedly while sitting at a stop. Has also stalled on three occasions and idles rough. It has been to two (2) dealerships 8 times. Tcp sensor, ad solenoid, map sensor and pcv valve all been replaced. Service bulletin #18-041-03 has been ran twice. The vehicle has almost hit two cars, one motorcycle, one concrete piling and two buildings. The only thing that has kept me from hitting anything is the fact that I always have my foot on the brake. Why won't Chrysler or the NHTSA begin an investigation? I have found over a dozen complaints regarding Chrysler/Jeep vehicles with the same dangerous malfunction. I love my car, but I am afraid someone is going to get hurt.
Dt: consumer has a 2004 Chrysler seabring. Consumer complained about an intermittent stalling problem. Vehicle has been worked on twice due to stalling. Dealer cleaned the throttle body twice. The vehicle was at the dealer on August 12, 2005. Then the vehicle stalled again on August the 13, 2005. Dealer said the problem was build up in the throttle body. When the vehicle stalled there was no warning, and the vehicle started up with no problem after stalling. She contacted dealer August 15, 2005 and the dealership assured her the vehicle was safe, and did not offer to try to do anything else to fix the problem. She did not think vehicle was safe, and was scared to let her family ride in it.
My 2004 Chrysler Sebring limited convertable has an ongoing problem of the engine intermittently surging, revving, and dying at slow speeds. I've been to the dealer 11 times. He can't duplicate problem but has found oil on map sesor,pcv valve & hose and intake plenum. He has replaced these parts and finally had to replace whole engine along with running service bulletin # 18-041-03. The surging, reving, and dying has started again. The first time was at 531 miles and the most resent was at 18500 miles. The Chrysler people told me mine was the only case but I've found 9 more on this website. Something must be done!!!!
2004 Chrysler Sebring touring 20000 miles. When car is stopped with foot on brake car jumps forward for no reason like some one had put their foot on the gas this has happen couple times took it to the dealer. He found a service bulletin and was going to do it when I take it back. But after reading it seems like there is a lot of people with this problem there should be recall before some one is killed!!!! Also when in traction control it makes a terrible noise like the brakes grinding on the rotors when the wheels are spinning dealer not sure what is wrong and is going to look into it.
Acceleration complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, 8% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Sebring acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 4 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 2004 Chrysler Sebring acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 63% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.