Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Car will start sometimes and then will not. Replaced 20 amp fuse and it will start. Maybe 10-15 times it will start and then it will not. My wife drives the car and is very concerning to her. Have looked at other complaints on your site about this and no one has had it resolved!!!!
As I was driving on the highway I noticed a burning smell. I looked to my right and I saw smoke. I pulled over to the side of the road. I then turned off my vehicle. The smoke stopped. I had my dogs bed on the passenger seat. When I moved it, I saw the burn whole in the seat and the dog bed. It was 85 degrees. I did not have the heated seats on. If I did not have the top down the car would have filled with smoke causing major visibility problems. If it weren't for the dog bed that smothered the fire, there would have been flames. My dog and I might not be here to report this fire. After Chrysler inspected the vehicle they determined there was no defect. Chrysler will not tell me what caused it other than it was not a defect and therefore not their problem. The dealer I brought the vehicle to said there was a short in the relay. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger side seat was burned on the seat itself and on the rear of the seat. The vehicle had been parked for nine hours in sunlight, however, the windows were tinted. The heat function had not been used. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 83,000.
Dt*: the contact stated there was a burning smell coming from the inside of the vehicle. The next day the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called and filed a report. Upon inspection the insurance company determined the electrical wiring in the rear defroster caused the fire. Previously, the vehicle was taken in for repair because the rear defroster, turn signals and the windshield wipers had failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and would not allow the arm system to activate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,742.
Consumer complained about an electrical system problem. Vehicle caught on fire and burned the wiring. Also, transmission experienced problems, such as down shifting. While driving automatic transmission would go into a lower gear and remain their for an extensive period of time.
I purchased this car new as a christmas gift for my wife in 2004. She had informed me a couple of times prior to the reported date that she'd experienced the car failing to start when she turned the switch. She stated when she turned the ignition to start the car nothing would happen-- the car would just be silent. After returning the key to the start position again and attempting to start it-- the car would start. It has also happened to me on a few occasions. The problem was never located. We just continue to use it as is. Over the years we have experienced other electrical related issues-- none having bee resolved. First the car lighters stopped working. I had them replaced several times but they continued to short out. The fuse (under the dash for the lighters) just blows out (literally tosses out) any fuse you put in it. So it too is no longer in use. …
After driving car and leaving it parked for 2 days; when going to start it again, the horn didn't work properly (really weak!), and it wouldn't start until several attempts and giving it gas. Also......the rear right side window defrost (wire harness that is soldered to window) popped off the window without reason. When repaired at dealership, the guy said it was the 3rd one he had fixed recently and it was always on the same side of the vehicle. This could cause window to fog up. Also approximately jan of 2005 I went in to a dealership because a strange noise was coming from my rear left suspension/wheel. It made squealing/grinding noise when turning or over bumps. They couldn't find the problem......suggested to get rotor turned.....maybe it did help!
I was crossing 4 lanes of oncoming traffic and my car stalled and died. This was the first time it had happened so I was unsure what to do. Thank goodness I put my car in p and restarted it in enough time to get out of the way before I was hit. This has again happened many times over the last 10+ years of ownership. Funnily enough, as I pulled up to my bank to make my final car payment, the car also stalled. It was too ironic. I have taken it to the dealership which is such a hassle and of course, they can find nothing wrong. Now, my check engine light comes on and then goes off with no apparent reason. Please issue some sort of recall so no one is hurt because of this issue.
I can remember all of the dates that these problems occurred but, I did have automobile insurance and they did have a tote truck to take my car to a body shop. This been repaired some time three to four time a year. I keep going to get this repaired. I bought two cars same make and model and everything on both cars been repaired and its not because of an automobile incident its because of the barron been coming aparts. I have bought a new motor on both cars. I have had nothing but. Problems with this car the same problems with both cars. I am so afraid of these cars because I bought them new and I know I bought a new engine.
Electrical complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, 9% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is horn (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Sebring electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.