Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Driving on [redacted] in Indiana my rpm's began to accelerate and I hit my breaks and once I got to 30 mph my breaks went out. I looked online and one after another of complaints for exactly this has been posted in rooms. It was towed to our mechanic and hopefully he can figure out why
Dt: the ABS brakes failed on the vehicle. She purchased the vehicle used with 19,000 miles on it. After she purchased the vehicle she noticed a grinding noise with the brakes. She took the vehicle into the dealership and had the rotors replaced because they were warped. The vehicle continued to have the grinding sound, but because they would not supply her with a loaner vehicle she did not take it in. On May 31, 2005, she was going around 40-45 miles per hour and she tried to apply the brakes when the ABS failed. She skid 75 feet on dry pavement. There was a police report taken and a ticket was issued, but she is fighting the ticket because it was due to the brakes failing. None of the airbags deployed. This caused the consumer to hit her head and she has post concussion syndrome with possible seizures and is out of work. …
I was driving down the road coming to a stop light when I noticed my car had just turned off without warning. Luckily there was a turn lane and the light was red so I didn't cause any accident. After that I took my car to see why the engine light came on and the mechanic said the code stated it had to do with the oxygen sensor. I replaced the part and the car ran OK until another time I was stopped at a light and the car turned off again. I've noticed the engine light comes on and then goes off after a couple of days. I was told I probably need to replace the intake manifold gasket which I bought but haven't replaced because someone told me about the recall of other sebrings that had the same problem. The car was running fine and the engine light had gone off and then it happened again with no warning. …
Car cold stalls, stalls when at traffic lights, engine shakes violently, brakes squeal an grind, when starting car floods itself and cannot be turned on for a few hours, had an accident at 44-50 MPH and airbag did not deploy,gears stick and do not come out of gear at times:insurance was called at time of accident and said no reason could be identified as to why airbag did not deploy. Car has had new brakes every 3-4 months,brand new cooling system, tune-up, oil change every 2500-3000 miles, dealership updated software, cold start stalling problem could not be duplicated, check engine light keeps coming on and off and no problems found at auto shop. I contacted the dealership and they informed me that since the car was used they were not going to and could not do anything about it and refused to check anything out or even listen to my concerns. …
Vehicle was purchased used with 18,455 miles on it. After vehicle was purchased we noticed a grinding noise with the brakes. We took the vehicle into the dealership and had the rotors replaced because they were warped. The vehicle continued to have the grinding sound, we brought the vehicle back to the dealership and again work was done on the brakes. We did not have opportunity to drive it much after as our daughter got into a car accident with this vehicle on oct 13, 2005, she was pulling out of the elementary school parking lot (no more than 5-10 MPH) to go across the road to enter the high school and another vehicle hit her front corner passenger side (other vehicle was going approx 40-45 MPH). The real issue is that both front airbags did not deploy until several minutes after the accident occurred...that is what caused the majority of the injuries to my children.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. On 09/01/2007, while driving 35mph the contact crashed into the rear end of a vehicle. The antilock brake system failed and none of the air bags deployed. The front passenger bruised her knees on the dashboard, severely bruised across her abdomen chest. The passenger also had an injury to her neck and was unable to work for two days. Pictures are available. A police report is available. The vehicle was towed. The mechanic has not diagnosed the vehicle. The weather was not a factor. The current and failure mileages were 30,000. The purchase date of the vehicle was 3/5/2006.
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.
Traveling on the interstate two cars got into a fender bender another crashed into them and I was traveling behind the third vehicle when I applied the brakes and sent into a skid. My car slid a good distance until it crashed right into the back of the third vehicle which was a Volvo in which their air bags deployed. My Sebring did not stop nor did the air bags deploy. I was traveling around 30-40 MPH when the impact happen. Will not have confirmation until tomorrow but it appears that the car will not be salvageable. It is my understanding that anti-lock brakes should prevent a skid on a dry surface on a clear day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring sedan. While driving at an unknown speed, the front driver side tire separated from the ball joint. In addition, the vehicle collapsed and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10e059000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle would not slow down when he depressed the brake. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the curb. This caused the passenger side front and the driver side rear tire to go flat. The contact had the vehicle towed to the mechanic and as of April 28, 2008, the mechanic had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 92,000.
Brake complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, 7% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Sebring brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes 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.