Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
We have a 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible which has a problem with lurching forward and unable to stop (no brakes). This has happened 3 times and we feel it is a very dangerous situation. It has now been diagnosed as a transmission problem. We feel we should not be responsible for this defect but Chrysler has refused to fix the problem. When we contacted Chrysler, we were told we had an extended warranty but now are told we do not. We are afraid to drive the car and feel strongly that Chrysler should be willing to repair or take it off the road.
Loose brakes, transmission slips, accident and airbags did not deploy it takes a long distance to stop. Brakes are not ABS. 9/11 truck pulled out in front of me, stomped on brake, wheels did not lock, car did not stop rolling and I hit the vehicle. Transmission always slips, especially at 30 MPH. I have been in two frontal hits and airbags did not deploy. Dealer has been told about the problem numerous times.
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 a new 2004 Sebring limited convertible from egolf motors, hendersonville, nc in sept., 2003. I immediately noticed the engine idle was a problem because when the brakes are applied when slowing to stop, the engine seems to pulse or rev up and then die down to a normal idle. No accidents have occurred, but the engine has died on two occasions while idling. When the transmission shifts it is jerky and at times noisy. I have had the service manager and transmission specialist at egolf motors inspect and drive the car and their response is that it is normal for this vehicle. However, I drove another new Sebring on the car lot and found the transmission to shift smoothly and the idle had none of the surging features of my car. I pointed this out to the service manager and he said my car is normal and if I could replicate what is happening then to bring the car back. …
2004 Sebring 4 door sedan has occasionally lunged or surged forward when stopped at a light or in traffic. This occurs while my foot has been on the brake and I hate to think of what could happen if I did not have my foot on the brake when it lunges forward. I could hit someone or something. Have had it to the dealer 3 times for this. The 2nd time I had found a service bulletin on this website describing what should be done to correct the problem.(the first time they just said they couldn't do anything because they couldn't make the problem happen)when I brought the service bulletin to them last dec 2005, they said they fixed it. It has now happened again, and is back into the dealership where I was at first told that if they couldn't make it happen, they couldn't fix it. I told them this was the 3rd time in the shop for the same issue and it is a safety issue. …
Ongoing issue with 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible (limited edition) automatic transmission "clunking when changing gears", "not engaging gear selected" and twice transmission shift to high, then lower gear resulting in vechicle surging. First time this happened it caused the car to jerk straight forward (was in a curve) toward a bridge abutment. Second time the surging occured, was slowing down for a red light with a car in front of me. I barely missed hitting the car in front of me. Dealer replaced transmission pump, then notified me that the shift cable was broken. It was replaced. Vehicle continues all symptoms described, including new problem with clunking when shifted from park. This is new and was identified by dealer service department on 5/5/04. Dealer says they can't identify the cause so repairs cannot be made. …
Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible, limited delivered new - November 2003 purchased used - March 2004, 600 miles on vehicle, original owner deceased, purchased from estate the vehicle has a vibration problem between approximately 45 - 60 MPH. It has been serviced by a Chrysler dealership five (5) times and by a Goodyear company owned distributor three (3) times. The tires have been force balanced several times and then replaced with new Goodyear assurance comfortread tires. These tires have been force balanced several times by both Chrysler and Goodyear with no acceptable level of positive impact towards resolution. The vibration continues to date. Is there a vibration problem in all such vehicles? We have been unable to resolve this vibration. The vibration continues with the vehicle engine turned off and the car coasting in neutral. …
For approximately 2 weeks, my 2004 Chrysler Sebring has been having what I consider to be a huge safety issue. When the car is placed into reverse to back up, then shifted into drive and the gas pedal pressed, the car continues to travel in reverse. I placed the car in park, then shifted to drive. The car continued to travel in reverse. Again, shifted to park and back to drive. The car the drifted forward while the engine sounded like it was revving. I continued to shift from park to drive numerous times, and the car continued to drift and make the revving sounds. For the past 2 days, I have shifted from reverse to drive and have to stomp on the gas pedal, at which point the engine seems to lurch into gear and then drives fine. And when I say stomp on the gas pedal, I mean stomp - hard.
I bought the car used at in 2005 with 23K miles. After about a month we noticed a hard shift problem between 1st and 2nd mainly. We took the car in for repairs several time but the dealer claimed they couldn't find a problem. Finally they acknowledged the problem and did a partial rebuild on the transmission. After about two weeks the problem resurfaced and the dealers still could not find the problem. I tried a different dealer just after the car hit 36K and they also claimed no problem and charged me for the service since it was just out of warranty. The driving lights also quit just after the warranty ran out. At this point I'm just living with the problem because the dealers can't seem to find the problem.
I have a 2004 Chrysler Sebring with a 2.7l v6 engine. The potentially dangerous problem which has come up numerous times is the engine RPM will surge causing the car to lurch forward. The problem occurs when coming to a stop - the engine RPM will drop to the point where the engine will almost stall, then surge excessively causing the car to lurch forward. This surge of rpms has caused me to almost hit cars in front of me and worse, sending me into an intersection with oncoming cars. I have called about this issue and brought my car in to have this issue examined - the only thing that was does was to reprogram the transmission PCM. I do see that this is a fairly common problem with other owners.
Transmission complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, 9% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.