CHRYSLER SEBRING · model year

2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING

304 NHTSA complaints, 36 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHRYSLERSEBRING carries 304 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 36 crashes, 14 fires, 41 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 2004 SEBRING is engine and engine cooling with 24 filings, followed by air bags (21) and power train:automatic transmission (19). 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 7 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 2004 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.

304
Complaints
36
Crashes
14
Fires
41
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

304 filings

Crashes Reported

36 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING24
AIR BAGS21
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
SUSPENSION13
ENGINE11
SUSPENSION:REAR9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER7
STEERING7
STRUCTURE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM5
TIRES5

Recalls (7)

04V31300029/06/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

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

04V33600008/07/2004

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE LEFT HAND REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

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

20250314FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Driving on [XXX] 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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250314SERVICE BRAKES

Driving on [XXX] 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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250314ENGINE

Driving on [XXX] 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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230617ENGINE

Random stalling upon deceleration with no warning lights after stalling (as if the engine thinks it is still running). Occurs at low speed. Sometimes the engine will surge when the rpm drops off instead of stalling. I have almost run into other cars when the surging happens. The stalling occurs randomly and is becoming more frequent. A scan of the internet shows many others with same issue. No CEL.

20230316ENGINE

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with smoke coming from underneath the hood. Smoke then entered the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the odometer was inoperable. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that her daughter had asthma; however, the contact and her two children did not receive medical attention. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to their location. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

20230215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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!!!!

20220517FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while her fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle seemed as if it was running out of gasoline. The check engine and a fuel warning light were illuminated. The driver pulled over at a service station and became aware of gasoline pouring from the fuel return. The driver parked the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

20210424AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ON. MEANING AIR BAG IS NOT OPERATIONAL.

Mileage: 79,120

20210424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ON. MEANING AIR BAG IS NOT OPERATIONAL.

Mileage: 79,120

20201202SUSPENSION

DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY. TIRE SEPARATED FROM CAR AND AXLE SEPARATED FROM TRANSAXLE. APPROXIMATE SPEED LESS THAN 6MPH. NO CONTOL OF CAR AFTER INCIDENT.

Mileage: 265,000

20200612FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HEARD A POP THE A LOT OF SMOKE CAME IN THE CAR, I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BY THE FIREWALL, THE FUEL RLN HAD CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 193,000

20191027SUSPENSION

THIS CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE HAD THE LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAIL AND SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE LOCATION HAPPENED ON SMOOTHLY PAVED SPRING RUN ROAD EXTENSION LOCATED IN PENNSYLVANIA, ALLEGHENY COUNTY,IN MOON TOWNSHIP. THE TIME OF THIS EVENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 6:15 A.M.

Mileage: 102,000

20190530SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS. THE VEHICLE SWERVED ON THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,021.

Mileage: 109,021

20190423SUSPENSION

BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE LEAVING FROM IN FRONT OF MY HOME LUCELY

Mileage: 5

20190205STEERING

AS I DRIVE MY SEBRING, EVERY DIP, HOLE OR CREVASSE MY CAR HITS(GOING 30 AND UP ITS DANGEROUS) SENDS IT WAY TO THE SIDE, DOESN'T HAVE AN EXACT SIDE EITHER. DOES IT BOTH WAYS. I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY LOWER BALL JOINTS SO POSSIBLY MY CONTROL ARMS AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THIS SPECIFIC CAR HAD ISSUES WITH THE CONTROL ARMS. THE WAY THE CAR DRIVES RIGHT NOW IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THIS CAR DID ACTUALLY HAVE A RECALL OR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

20190205SUSPENSION

AS I DRIVE MY SEBRING, EVERY DIP, HOLE OR CREVASSE MY CAR HITS(GOING 30 AND UP ITS DANGEROUS) SENDS IT WAY TO THE SIDE, DOESN'T HAVE AN EXACT SIDE EITHER. DOES IT BOTH WAYS. I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY LOWER BALL JOINTS SO POSSIBLY MY CONTROL ARMS AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THIS SPECIFIC CAR HAD ISSUES WITH THE CONTROL ARMS. THE WAY THE CAR DRIVES RIGHT NOW IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THIS CAR DID ACTUALLY HAVE A RECALL OR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

20180201CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL TWICE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT TWO INSPECTORS TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS AN INSURANCE ISSUE AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20170619CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. (FORCEFULL), SO MUCH THAT I HIT SOMEONE THAT WAS 5+FT INFRONT OF ME I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES WITH ME. BUT I CAN PROVIDE THEM AND ALSO THE REPAIR BILL

Mileage: 63,000

20170619CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. (FORCEFULL), SO MUCH THAT I HIT SOMEONE THAT WAS 5+FT INFRONT OF ME I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES WITH ME. BUT I CAN PROVIDE THEM AND ALSO THE REPAIR BILL

Mileage: 63,000

20170215FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REALLY HOT AND HAD TWO BURN HOLES. THERE WAS ALSO A HOLE IN THE CONTACT'S JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS ALSO BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 2004CHRYSLERSEBRING to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING have?
The 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING has 304 NHTSA complaints, 36 crashes, 14 fires, 41 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING?
Yes, the 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2004 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.