2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv Problems
- Complaints
- 114filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,520miles, 106 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this convertible report two broad themes: electronic throttle and stalling behaviour around stops, and problems with the power-folding top and its trunk/deck hardware. The top and latch complaints show up early in the car's life, while electrical and throttle complaints are spread from low mileage up past 100,000 miles.
- Vehicle speed control
Electronic throttle light, surging and stalling at stops
- 25 complaints (22%)
- median 65,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (23 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2010–2018
Complaints describe a lightning-bolt throttle warning light, the engine revving on its own or lurching forward while stopped, and reduced power or refusal to accelerate past a low speed. Several owners say the car shut off at a light or while driving and could be restarted, and that dealers either could not duplicate the problem or quoted a throttle body or electronic throttle control replacement. Reported across a wide range, from under 10,000 miles to over 130,000 miles, often at idle or at a stop light.
What to check: During a test drive, stop and hold the car at idle and watch for the throttle warning light or an unsteady idle; ask the seller whether the throttle body or pedal assembly has been replaced and whether any diagnostic codes have been stored.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 2008 sebring had the electronic throttle control light come on. When this happened the vehicle immediately reduced itself to 2000 rpms. I could not accelerate beyond that threshold. If the vehicle came to a stop it would stall out completely. I have read several similar reports of this issue including it causing involuntary acceleration.”
NHTSA complaint #10579628, filed 2014-04, 65,742 miles“My car has accelerated 3 different times when im at a complete stop on christmas day it accelerated and almost hit the car infront of me it doesn't do it everysingle time I drive but has happened more then once it has also shut off at complete stops several times the Chrysler dealership gives me the run around and say nothing is wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10372519, filed 2010-12, 36,000 miles - Engine
Engine stalls or surges and dies
- 34 complaints (30%)
- median 65,371 mi at 4.4 yrs old (32 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2008–2022
Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning at speed or at a red light, sometimes with high or fluctuating idle beforehand. Some complaints say the dealer could not find a stored fault, others mention tune-ups, oxygen sensors, throttle body or intake manifold parts being replaced with the stalling continuing afterward. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 130,000 miles, with several cases in traffic or at stop lights.
What to check: Ask for any service records covering stalling diagnostics and sensor or throttle work, and check whether the check-engine light is currently on. A scan for stored and pending codes before buying is worthwhile.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle shuts off while driving it, 1st. Time I was going about 30mph it shut off without warning. Next time I was reversing in driveway and it just shut off. Both times put in park and restarted. Dealership tried to duplicate problem and put it on computer, but nothing shows up. It was a couple months in between episodes.”
NHTSA complaint #10328362, filed 2010-05, 31,724 miles“I have two complaints. I was driving on a highway proceeding at approximately 55 miph and the car turned off. No warning, just dead. Second complaint: I filled up with gas. I proceeded to leave the station which involved exiting and turning onto a main highway. I tried to stop at the top of the exit driveway and I had no power brakes. I pushed hard on the brake pedal and the car stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10292717, filed 2009-11, 37,000 miles - Body and structure
Convertible top sticks, deck lid and hinge parts break
Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints
The power top stops partway through opening or closing, and owners trace it to broken plastic hinges or a cracked trim piece on the trunk deck lid that guides the top. Some report the top being stuck up or down and the car unusable, with dealers declining to cover it or quoting several hundred dollars for repair. A related complaint describes water leaking through the top seals after rain or washing, which the dealer described as normal. Mostly reported between about 6,000 and 50,000 miles, sometimes on repeated repairs years apart.
What to check: Cycle the top fully open and closed several times during inspection, listen for popping or grinding, and check the plastic hinge and trim pieces in the trunk deck area for cracks. Check the seals and carpet for water stains after rain.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“2008 Chrysler sebring convertible top not working properly. Top is getting stuck half way when lowering. Took it to dealership and they would not repair. Accused me of damaging and wanted to charge me $700 to repair. I refused to pay it and have not been able to use the top. Lease is now up and I am afraid they are going to come after me for the cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10407785, filed 2011-06, 37,784 miles“When closing the top, I heard a pop sound and the roof stopped. It would no longer open or close but was stuck halfway open. The deck lid (a trim piece with plastic hinges) had broken affecting the top operation. It was repaired out of pocket in 2013. Now in 2015, the same piece broke again, again rendering the top inoperable. I contacted Chrysler about the issue and was told there was nothing they could do. …”
NHTSA complaint #10765039, filed 2015-09, 36,000 miles - Electrical system
Lighting and electrical gremlins (TIPM module)
- 22 complaints (19%)
- median 55,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (21 state mileage)
- filed 2009–2019
Complaints describe dashboard and instrument panel lighting failing or going intermittent, headlights and tail lights not working, random horn activation, locks cycling on their own and batteries draining. Several owners say a mechanic identified the integrated power module (TIPM) as the source, and one notes the whole module had to be replaced. Spread from very low mileage to over 145,000 miles, with several reports above 80,000 miles.
What to check: With the car running, check that all exterior lights and dash illumination work, and test the horn and door locks. Ask whether the TIPM has been replaced and whether any electrical repair kits or updates were applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My back lights work as long as the car is in park. But when I shift into drive they go off. I only know this because other drivers that was driving behind me told me so. I have been told it is tipm module. I do not have a $1000 for the repair so I only drive it in the day time”
NHTSA complaint #10958597, filed 2017-03, 82,000 miles“First indication of an electrical problem occurred in jan of 2014, when a yr. Old battery failed. Dealership replaced free of charge. In august 2014, my passenger side low-beam headlight went out, so I took it to dealership to replace the bulb. It didn't fix the problem. The dealership kept the car for 2 days and found there was an internal failure in the tipm driver, the bulb was bad. Bulb replaced, still not working, mechanic tested and traced wiring and connectors, all good. Mechanic found tipm has bad circuit for right headlight. …”
NHTSA complaint #10626217, filed 2014-08, 65,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Shifter stuck in Park (shift interlock failure)
- 10 complaints (9%)
- median 37,390 mi at 2.8 yrs old (10 state mileage)
- filed 2009–2013
Owners report the gear selector locking in Park so the car cannot be moved, sometimes requiring a tow and interior disassembly to release it manually. Several complaints describe a small plastic piece inside the shifter breaking, and that the whole shifter assembly has to be replaced rather than the single part. Reported as low as 17,500 miles through the 40,000s, often after the car sat overnight or shortly after fueling.
What to check: Sit in the car and shift from Park to Drive and back several times to confirm it releases smoothly, and ask whether the shifter assembly or interlock has ever been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My car was parked in my garage. I went to leave and the car would not come out of park. The car had to be towed to the dealer to be fixed. They stated that a part had broken. I could not even use the manual release to get it into drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10352716, filed 2010-08, 17,500 miles“24 hours of purchasing from original- sole owner of whom kept it very well, low mileage 28,000m & garaged. I drove it for the first gas fill-up and proceeded to restart, shift from p to drive. Locked up. Referred to manual in which I followed instructions for hidden reset button. To no avail, called local Chrysler dealership. Their response you get it here & we'll fix it! Totally frustrated~I did. Broken shifter has 2 little pink plastic guards holding it all together- really? One has broken but the whole shifter has to be replaced!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10525977, filed 2013-07, 28,500 miles
Buying note. This model year draws recurring complaints about throttle and stalling behaviour and about the power top's hardware, so a thorough test drive with several stops, a full top cycle and a code scan matters more than cosmetics. Ask for service records on throttle body, shifter and electrical module work before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 114 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv. 106 of the complaints include a mileage, and 51% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,520 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system33 29%
- Engine15 13%
- Engine cooling15 13%
- Body and structure15 13%
- Vehicle speed control13 11%
- Brakes9 7.9%
- Other or unknown8 7.0%
- Air bags7 6.1%
Also reported: Steering (7), Electronic stability control (4), Fuel system (4), Seat belts (4), Suspension (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Exterior lighting (2), Interior lighting (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While driving the engine light came on, loss speed occurred, car felt like in was going to dye on the freeway. No acceleration power. Engine light flashing, throttle light flashing in red. Car has no pick up. I have called Chrysler and was told no recall. I had it checked at local auto shop and code was p0035. Crank shaft sensor. Many customers have had this issue and no one not even Chrysler can figure out the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10694860, filed 2015-03, 118,400 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I have a 2008 sebring convertible.. While driving.. The car's electronic throttle control light comes on and starts to lose power and will almost shut down.. I am hearing about others with similar problems.. Pg 181 on owners' manual.. This makes it for a real dangerous situation if the engine shuts down.. I lose all steering and braking while driving at high speeds.. Especially on curvy roads..”
NHTSA complaint #10359123, filed 2010-10, 65,000 milesEngine: “My car shut down completely as I was driving, the steering wasn't working, I couldn't turn the wheels at all. The breaks would not work either, no matter how hard I pressed on the breaks the pedal would not move. Luckily I wasn't going fast or driving on the highway cause that would have killed me.”
NHTSA complaint #11165186, filed 2019-01, 130,000 milesEngine cooling: “The motor surges when in park & while idling at a stop sign. It has happened many times, and I have almost slammed into a pedestrian because it catches me by surprise. I removed the floor mat to ensure that is not the problem (it has happened 3 times since), and the last time it happened (last week) the car was in park, and the engine roared as if I was flooring the accelerator, on it's own.”
NHTSA complaint #10452374, filed 2012-03, 15,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
51% of the 106 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 78,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11017435Apr 2, 2025Other or unknown. Actuator - a/c and heater
- 10248509Sep 15, 2023Electrical system. Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring…
- 10244348Sep 15, 2023Electrical system. Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring…
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Equipment, Body and structure. Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Equipment. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
Other model years of the Chrysler Sebring Conv
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18 | 69,202 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 114 | 48,520 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2006 | 59 | 53,378 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chrysler Sebring Conv model years
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv?
Owners of this convertible report two broad themes: electronic throttle and stalling behaviour around stops, and problems with the power-folding top and its trunk/deck hardware. The issues reported most often: Electronic throttle light, surging and stalling at stops; Engine stalls or surges and dies; Convertible top sticks, deck lid and hinge parts break.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv have?
NHTSA recorded 114 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 33 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 17.
Has the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv reported?
Among the 106 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,520 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 78,000 miles; 51% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.