Total Complaints
481 filings
CHRYSLER SEBRING · model year
481 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996CHRYSLERSEBRING carries 481 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 52 crashes, 11 fires, 30 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 SEBRING is suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint with 42 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (25) and structure:body:roof and pillars (20). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 1996 SEBRING, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
481 filings
Crashes Reported
52 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 42 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 25 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 18 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 16 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 13 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 11 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN | 8 |
I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, & I finally said forget it(I would have been too costly) & I needed my vehicle to get to work. Many things failed after that; gas gauge; speedometer needle; right turn signal; & radio.Other things but just canât remember at the moment.
I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, & I finally said forget it(I would have been too costly) & I needed my vehicle to get to work. Many things failed after that; gas gauge; speedometer needle; right turn signal; & radio.Other things but just canât remember at the moment.
I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, & I finally said forget it(I would have been too costly) & I needed my vehicle to get to work. Many things failed after that; gas gauge; speedometer needle; right turn signal; & radio.Other things but just canât remember at the moment.
I was driving on the highway; all of a sudden my right dash speaker started on fire. I had a Bubbler in my vehicle, so I used that to put it out. Since then, my radio no longer works, nor does mileage show & gas gauge fluctuates, & cannot tell when it is actually empty.
AIR BAG COMES ON AND THE ALL DIALS ON THE DASHBOARD GO BLANK.
Mileage: 99,500
AIR BAG COMES ON AND THE ALL DIALS ON THE DASHBOARD GO BLANK.
Mileage: 99,500
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING THEN THE GAGES ON THE DASHBOARD STOP WORKING. SOMETIMES JUST THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT GOES AND THE DIALS STILL WORK. WHEN THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF USUALLY THE DIALS COME BACK WITHIN 10 MINITES OR 5 MILES.
Mileage: 49,000
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET DIAGNOSTIC FOR SMOG. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SMOG SMART EXPLAIN THEY HAVE DISMATELED MY CAR CLAIMING ENGINE, COOLANT, AND TIMING BELT. THEY HAVE REMOVED PARTS AND CLAIM THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND ITS COMPANY STATES ITS REPAIRS IS NOT WORTH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE CLAIM, THE COOLANT CLAIM AND TIMING BELT THEY HAVE MADE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE CHECKED FINE BEFORE DROPPING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WOULD STOP DUE TO HEATING THE FUEL RUNNING SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN A NON OP FOR 3 YEARS ANDREASON FOR SMOG. THE CAR WAS DELIBERATLEY DISMANTELED CAN I GET ITS INFORMATION OF THE CLAIM THE SMOG MART 7070STOCKTON SACRAMENTO CA 95820 IS MAKING SO I CAN SETTLE WITH THE SHERIFFS IN THERE DISTRUCTION OF MY PROEPRTY WITHOUT INVOICE SIGNATURE TO REMOVE ANY PARTYS ON MY CAR EXCEPT ORDERED TO RUN DIAGNOSITCIS.
Mileage: 168,000
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET DIAGNOSTIC FOR SMOG. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SMOG SMART EXPLAIN THEY HAVE DISMATELED MY CAR CLAIMING ENGINE, COOLANT, AND TIMING BELT. THEY HAVE REMOVED PARTS AND CLAIM THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND ITS COMPANY STATES ITS REPAIRS IS NOT WORTH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE CLAIM, THE COOLANT CLAIM AND TIMING BELT THEY HAVE MADE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE CHECKED FINE BEFORE DROPPING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WOULD STOP DUE TO HEATING THE FUEL RUNNING SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN A NON OP FOR 3 YEARS ANDREASON FOR SMOG. THE CAR WAS DELIBERATLEY DISMANTELED CAN I GET ITS INFORMATION OF THE CLAIM THE SMOG MART 7070STOCKTON SACRAMENTO CA 95820 IS MAKING SO I CAN SETTLE WITH THE SHERIFFS IN THERE DISTRUCTION OF MY PROEPRTY WITHOUT INVOICE SIGNATURE TO REMOVE ANY PARTYS ON MY CAR EXCEPT ORDERED TO RUN DIAGNOSITCIS.
Mileage: 168,000
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET DIAGNOSTIC FOR SMOG. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SMOG SMART EXPLAIN THEY HAVE DISMATELED MY CAR CLAIMING ENGINE, COOLANT, AND TIMING BELT. THEY HAVE REMOVED PARTS AND CLAIM THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND ITS COMPANY STATES ITS REPAIRS IS NOT WORTH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE CLAIM, THE COOLANT CLAIM AND TIMING BELT THEY HAVE MADE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE CHECKED FINE BEFORE DROPPING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WOULD STOP DUE TO HEATING THE FUEL RUNNING SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN A NON OP FOR 3 YEARS ANDREASON FOR SMOG. THE CAR WAS DELIBERATLEY DISMANTELED CAN I GET ITS INFORMATION OF THE CLAIM THE SMOG MART 7070STOCKTON SACRAMENTO CA 95820 IS MAKING SO I CAN SETTLE WITH THE SHERIFFS IN THERE DISTRUCTION OF MY PROEPRTY WITHOUT INVOICE SIGNATURE TO REMOVE ANY PARTYS ON MY CAR EXCEPT ORDERED TO RUN DIAGNOSITCIS.
Mileage: 168,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Mileage: 30,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE BRAKE CHAMBER, BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES, AND THE ADJUSTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TRANS CABLE BROKE CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AT ALL. *TR
Mileage: 175,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED BY PUTTING IT IN PARK, USING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 200,000
1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. WHILE THE DRIVER PULLED OFF TO THE RIGHT BERM, THE WHEEL CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0734-90.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS RELEASED DEBRIS THAT BEGAN BURNING HER FACE. THERE WAS ALSO A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE AS IF CHEMICALS WERE BEING RELEASED FROM THE AIR BAGS. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND A PHYSICIAN STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED WITH ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE THEN IMMEDIATELY STALLED. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE FAILED AN EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO SMOG. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAD A SECOND EMISSIONS TEST AND FAILED AGAIN DUE TO SMOG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 204,083.
Mileage: 167,000
MY 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE DASH STEREO SPEAKERS MID 10/05 .. SCREECHING NOISES CAME FROM MY SPEAKERS AND THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THEM. I TURNED OFF THE STEREO AND SOON AFTER WENT TO MY MECHANIC. WHEN THEY TURNED MY STEREO ON SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASH SPEAKERS AGAIN. I ASKED THEM TO PULL THE FUSE SO THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ON 2/16/06 I CALLED CHRYSLER. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM DATED 2/21/06 STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE TIME OR MILEAGE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. ON RECALL SIGHTS I HAVE FOUND WHERE THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN SLIGHTLY NEWER MODELS. THIS COULD HAVE ENDED IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH TO MYSELF AND MY TWO NIECES THAT I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THAT MORNING. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY CHRYSLER. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND I'VE ALSO HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND TIMING BELT. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY. *JB
Mileage: 118,000
LOWER LATERAL ARM BROKE ON OUR 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER RECALL. THIS IS THE 3RD MAJOR FAILURE AND INCONVENIENCE OF THIS PART. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 8 MOTHS AGO. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE AS WELL AS A MECHANICAL DEFECT. *JB
Mileage: 90,000
LOWER LATERAL ARM BROKE ON OUR 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER RECALL. THIS IS THE 3RD MAJOR FAILURE AND INCONVENIENCE OF THIS PART. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 8 MOTHS AGO. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE AS WELL AS A MECHANICAL DEFECT. *JB
Mileage: 90,000
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.