CHRYSLER SEBRING · model year

2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING

53 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CHRYSLERSEBRING carries 53 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 2003 SEBRING is air bags with 7 filings, followed by structure:body (3) and electrical system (3). 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. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 2003 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.

53
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

53 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS7
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
SUSPENSION:REAR3
SUSPENSION3
WHEELS3
ENGINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STEERING:RACK AND PINION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (5)

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

09E05600009/10/2009

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE S

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

03V44300004/11/2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

15V33800002/06/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 200

Recent Complaints

20210711WHEELS

While driving approximately 25 mph I crossed over railroad tracks in the road. There is only a very small bump going over these. The front drivers side wheel came off. The lower ball joint pulled out and pulled the front axle out. The vehicle only has 91,000 miles on it. There was no warning that this was going to happen. I was driving in normal traffic. And was unable to move the vehicle out of the traffic lane. Vehicle had to be towed. This happened yesterday 7/10/21. I have seen other reports of problems with this but vehicles have higher mileage than mine. Is there not a recall for this?

20210711POWER TRAIN

While driving approximately 25 mph I crossed over railroad tracks in the road. There is only a very small bump going over these. The front drivers side wheel came off. The lower ball joint pulled out and pulled the front axle out. The vehicle only has 91,000 miles on it. There was no warning that this was going to happen. I was driving in normal traffic. And was unable to move the vehicle out of the traffic lane. Vehicle had to be towed. This happened yesterday 7/10/21. I have seen other reports of problems with this but vehicles have higher mileage than mine. Is there not a recall for this?

20170301ENGINE

I WON A CAR FROM MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. THE CAR HAD A 2.7L V6 ENGINE IN IT THAT NADA AND KBB DO NOT LIST SUCH AN ENGINE IN THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT I WON, SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WAS A DEALER SWAP PRIOR TO THE RAFFLE DRAWING, BUT THEY DENY THE SWAP WHEN I CALLED THEM ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. WHEN I WON IT, LAST JUNE IT HAD LIKE 181,000 MILES ON THE CAR, UNKNOWN MILEAGE ON THE ENGINE, BUT I HAD IT FROM JUN TO DEB 2016 AND DROVE IT MAYBE 9000 MILES MAX AND IT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES, SO LIKE 2-3 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR AND IT HAD NO INDICATION OF ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO SPONTANEOUS AND COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE MY CARS SERVICES REGULARLY FOR TIRE ROTATIONS, CAR INSPECTIONS ETC. NOTHING COULD HAVE WARNED ME ABOUT THIS AND I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE CLASS ACTIONS LAW SUITS PERTAINING TO THIS EXACT ENGINE UNTIL MY ENGINE FAILED A FEW MONTHS AGO. I CLIMBING TH INTERSTATE ON RAMP WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S ON MY CAR CONTINUED TO RISE W

Mileage: 190,000

20160718SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, HE TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TURNED OUTWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BONJOY WAS FRACTURED IT CAUSED THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,389.

Mileage: 131,389

20160718WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, HE TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TURNED OUTWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BONJOY WAS FRACTURED IT CAUSED THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,389.

Mileage: 131,389

20151215AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ

20151110CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS IN A WRECK ON 11/06/2015, A WOMEN FAILED TO YIELD AND I T-BONED HER PASSENGER SIDE BY BACK DOOR/BACK TIRE, I WAS GOING 30 MILES AN HOUR THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE CITY ROAD, I HAD MY SAFETY RESTRAINT ON AND STILL MANAGED TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDOW, I HAD A LOOSE CAR SEAT IN FRONT THAT HIT THE PASSENGER DASH, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SHE WAS HEADED NORTH AND I WAS HEADED WEST, I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD WHEN I HIT HER, SO IT FELT LIKE A BRICK WALL AT 30 MPH, I ENDED UP IN THE ER WITH A SPRAINED WRIST, MY LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD WAS SWOLLEN, AND I'M HAVING ISSUES IN MY BACK(DOCTOR SAID NECK AND BACK PAIN IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO WHIPLASH, I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH BACK PAIN. FROM ALL THE INFORMATION I'VE FOUND ON RECALLS, THERE IS NOT ONE FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS ON MY CHRYSLER LXI....

Mileage: 142,339

20150603ENGINE

START CAR, WHEN IN IDLE IT SHUTS OFF WITH IN A FEW SECONDS OF HITTING GAS NOW. IT USE TO IDLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO REV A LITTLE SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE BIT TODAY TO BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE OF ROAD LIKE LAST WEEK. WHY IS MY CAR DOING THIS?

Mileage: 155,000

20150603ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

START CAR, WHEN IN IDLE IT SHUTS OFF WITH IN A FEW SECONDS OF HITTING GAS NOW. IT USE TO IDLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO REV A LITTLE SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE BIT TODAY TO BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE OF ROAD LIKE LAST WEEK. WHY IS MY CAR DOING THIS?

Mileage: 155,000

20150603SUSPENSION

START CAR, WHEN IN IDLE IT SHUTS OFF WITH IN A FEW SECONDS OF HITTING GAS NOW. IT USE TO IDLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO REV A LITTLE SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE BIT TODAY TO BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE OF ROAD LIKE LAST WEEK. WHY IS MY CAR DOING THIS?

Mileage: 155,000

20150205STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO RISE WITHOUT CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20140613ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. THIS IS, APPARENTLY, A COMMON PROBLEM AFFECTING THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE. *JS

Mileage: 87,000

20130919AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

20130821STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH SEPARATING FRO VENT POSSIBLY BY THE SUN. ALSO THE FRONT BUMPER SCRAP MOST DRIVEWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

20130213WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND IT DEFLATED A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE CONSUMER SATED THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE WHEELS. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2007 AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ONCE A YEAR DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE WHEELS FIXED AT THE DEALER, AND THE FIX ONLY LASTED THREE DAYS. THE WHEELS LEAKED AT THE BEAD OF THE TIRE, DUE TO THEM NOT BEING SEATED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE SPENT $2,000 ON TIRES, ONLY TO FIND OUT, THE PROBLEM WASN'T THE TIRES, IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS. UPDATED 02/28/13

Mileage: 46,000

20120613SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,300.

Mileage: 115,000

20090624SEAT BELTS

I PARKED MY CAR JUNE 23 2009 AROUND 5:15 PM SEAT BELT WAS WORKING FINE. CAME BACK OUT OF THE HOUSE 20 TO 30 MINUTES LATER, SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR ME TO BUCKLE UP. *TR

Mileage: 69,700

20090323ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WORKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP - EVANS AUTO CAR IN BLUE ASH, OH - TO UNDERSTAND WHY 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING SUDDENLY EXPERIENCES DROP IN SPEED FROM 70 TO 25 MPH. REPAIR SHOP NOTED CAR COMPUTER LIKELY FAULTY AND PARTS UNAVAILABLE FROM DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO MESSAGE BOARDS AND OTHER CHRYSLER SHOPS, DEALERS ARE RESTRICTED FROM RELEASING PARTS DUE TO ANTICIPATED FUTURE PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS STEM FROM COLD-SOLDERING OF THE MAIN COMPUTER BOARD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEVELOPING SAFETY CONCERN THAT WARRANTS FUTURE INVESTIGATION DUE TO MANUFACTURER HOLDING BACK PARTS. REPAIR SHOP NOTED THEY MAY BE PREPARING FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

20090314FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PROBLEM: SMELLING GAS FUMES WHILE STARTING THE CAR. ENGINE FAILURE TO START. FAILURE IS DAILY. MY WIFE AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, EXCEPT NEEDING A NEW GAS CAP. SINCE THEN, OUR LOCAL DEALER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I AM CONCERNED THAT OUR CAR WILL RESULT IN WORST CASE SCENARIO RESULTS, LIKE AN EXPLOSION WHILE STARTING THE CAR. OUR CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2003, IN 2009 THE CARS CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE, SMELLING MORE FUEL FUMES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, I AM IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE ON YOUR END CAN HELP US. WE DON'T HAVE ALOT OF MONEY TO GO OUT AND SIMPLY GET A NEW CAR. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING MORE ATTENTION WHEN DESIGNING THE SEBRING LX. I AM AFRAID TO EVEN OPERATE IT. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN MY WIFE AND I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO REPEATEDLY TAKING OUR CAR TO SOMEONE ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED CLICKING SOUNDS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AND TH

Mileage: 57,678

20090314STEERING

PROBLEM: SMELLING GAS FUMES WHILE STARTING THE CAR. ENGINE FAILURE TO START. FAILURE IS DAILY. MY WIFE AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, EXCEPT NEEDING A NEW GAS CAP. SINCE THEN, OUR LOCAL DEALER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I AM CONCERNED THAT OUR CAR WILL RESULT IN WORST CASE SCENARIO RESULTS, LIKE AN EXPLOSION WHILE STARTING THE CAR. OUR CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2003, IN 2009 THE CARS CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE, SMELLING MORE FUEL FUMES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, I AM IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE ON YOUR END CAN HELP US. WE DON'T HAVE ALOT OF MONEY TO GO OUT AND SIMPLY GET A NEW CAR. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING MORE ATTENTION WHEN DESIGNING THE SEBRING LX. I AM AFRAID TO EVEN OPERATE IT. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN MY WIFE AND I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO REPEATEDLY TAKING OUR CAR TO SOMEONE ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED CLICKING SOUNDS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AND TH

Mileage: 57,678

Compare 2003CHRYSLERSEBRING to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING have?
The 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING has 53 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING?
Yes, the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 CHRYSLER SEBRING safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.