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Electrical systemPart report

1996 Chrysler Sebring Electrical system Problems

Complaints
37about this part
Share
11%of 343 total for the year
Median mileage
99,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, 11% of the 343 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10186678, filed 2007-04, 118,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11470156, filed 2022-06

“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 can’t remember at the moment.”

NHTSA complaint #11491258, filed 2022-10

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10679492, filed 2015-01, 30,000 miles

“While traveling and without any indication engine would stall. Vehicle has been serviced. Technician stated distributor cap needed to be replaced. The manufacturer's technical bulten states that the problem could be due to excess solder between the coil out put terminal and coil cover plate.”

NHTSA complaint #881832, filed 2001-03

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20101720%
2009921%
20088837%
200711935%
20065848%
20052128%
20042310%
200337%
2002157%
20012310%
2000910%
1999148%
1998166%
1997189%
19963711%
199586%

Other parts of the 1996 Chrysler Sebring

Suspension
70 complaints
Brakes
55 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
47 complaints
Engine cooling
39 complaints
Body and structure
39 complaints
Air bags
31 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaints
Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Seat belts
16 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Equipment
9 complaints
Wheels
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology