1997 Chrysler Sebring Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about seat belts that lock up or won't retract, front suspension ball joints separating, and transmission trouble that shows up as slipping or racing engine speed. Many reports come at higher mileage, though some transmission and belt complaints are filed well under 100,000 miles, and several owners say dealers would not cover the repairs.

1. 1
   Seat belts

   Front seat belts lock up or won't retract

   Mentioned in 12 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe front driver or passenger seat belts that stay locked in the retracted position and cannot be pulled out, or that will not retract after use. In some reports the belt webbing fractured. Complaints say the belt became unusable for the occupant, and dealers variously quoted a timing control module replacement or declined to cover the repair. Reported from roughly 43,000 to 190,000 miles, with several reports in the 80,000 to 152,000 mile range.

   What to check: Pull each front belt fully out and let it retract several times, and check that the latch releases and the webbing is intact. Ask whether the retractors or the belt timing control module have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the seat belts on drivers and passengers sides do not work properly. The strap will get stuck in the retractor, it will not move. Most of the time on the drivers side it hardly ever works. This started on august 24, 2004. Contacted the dealer they are going to charge to fix it. The consumer thinks that Chrysler should replace the seat belts free of charge.”

   NHTSA complaint #10134036, filed 2005-09, 90,000 miles

   “Driver's seat belt retractor failed to retract back into position. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The driver seat belt didn't unlock. One would have to manually remove the seat belt out of the full retract position.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083682, filed 2004-09, 86,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, racing or failing

   • 13 complaints (6%)
   • median 40,190 mi at 6.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2004

   Owners report the engine revving while the car struggles to keep up, hesitation when leaving a stop, and in some cases the transmission needing replacement. A few complaints describe transmission fluid getting into the radiator or transmission lines leaking. Some owners say the dealer quoted a replacement and described it as a common failure at that mileage. Reported from about 57,000 to 90,000 miles, with a few at lower and higher mileage.

   Recall 98V183000

   What to check: Test drive from a stop and at highway speed, watching for slipping or delayed shifts, and check transmission fluid color and level. Ask whether the fluid and filter have been serviced and whether the transmission has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission is starting to fail at 62,000 miles. Why? My water pump was recently replaced. Then my engine light went on and the plugs and wires had to be replaced and the mechanic told me the transmission is staring to go. I have noticed that the engine is racing but the car is having a difficult time keeping up with the engine. Sure sign.”

   NHTSA complaint #10000602, filed 2002-12, 15 miles

   “1997 Chrysler Sebring lxi 6 cyl. Transmission failed at 69,000 miles had to be replaced $1,808.00. Engine failed 86,000 miles $2,500. Had to be replaced. Aluminum wheels easily damaged replaced all 4. I would never in life by another Chrysler. Would not even take a free one! Bought in 1997 as a demo. Problems since 1 week of ownership. I don't look their direction when passing dealerships. Had a toyota camry for 3 years prior to Sebring. No maintenance issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098664, filed 2004-11, 69,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint separation

   • 18 complaints (9%)
   • median 113,788 mi at 9.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe the front suspension ball joint failing, sometimes with a creaking or bumping noise when turning and sometimes with the wheel folding into the wheel well or the front of the car dropping. Several owners say the car came to a stop or the wheel turned out at a sharp angle. Reports mention prior recall repairs on the lower ball joints, with dealers sometimes saying the work had already been done or that the vehicle was not covered. Mostly reported from about 73,000 miles upward, with many at 140,000 miles and beyond.

   Recall 97V201000Recall 00V421002

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front lower ball joints and boots for play, rust or grease loss, and ask for documentation that recalls 97V201000 and 00V421002 were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down a side road at 15 MPH, after going through the 2nd of 2 small dips, the front ball joint broke on the 1997 Sebring and the car stopped. We got out, saw front wheel turned out at sharp angle, the right front of car dropped. Sheridan police drove by,we made an accident report. After having the car towed 2 blocks, the ins. Co. Was called we contacted phil long Chrysler in littleton co. To find price on the part. They asked for VIN number and determined there was recall on that vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10202009, filed 2007-09, 161,325 miles

   “Dt: consumer was aware of manufacturer's recall, 967 issued on may 16, 2001. Consumer stated that this recall repairs were never done. On june 23, 2005 she was traveling, through saint clareshores, michigan on i94, got off at exit and made a right turn and vehicle came to a dead stop. Right front tire went into wheel well, which did a lot of body damage. From there mechanic had vehicle towed to garage at waterford auto, in waterford, michigan. Mechanic then called Chrysler to find that there was a recall 967 on part that broke. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10129356, filed 2005-07, 73,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 21 complaints (10%)
   • median 106,800 mi at 10.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2013

   After front and rear impacts, owners report that the airbags did not deploy even though the vehicle was damaged, and in some cases occupants were injured. Complaints describe impacts from roughly 25 to 50 mph, including one where the car was destroyed. Several owners say there was no warning beforehand. Reported from older, lower-mileage cars up to about 200,000 miles, with no clear mileage pattern.

   What to check: Ask for any airbag service or warning-light history, and have the airbag readiness light and stored codes checked before buying; an airbag light that stays on or flickers warrants diagnosis.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 45 MPH. Upon impact,none of the air bags deployed. The driver had a sore chest, but couldn't remember if their chest hit the steering wheel.”

   NHTSA complaint #10046462, filed 2003-11, 75,000 miles

   “While traveling on highway and without prior warning another vehicle was turning in front of consumer's vehicle. She applied brakes, and she ran into other vehicle. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't go off.”

   NHTSA complaint #8005907, filed 2002-03
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes squealing and calipers sticking

   • 13 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 2.4 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2005

   Owners describe squealing or metal-on-metal brake noise and repeated replacement of pads, rotors and calipers, with the problem returning within months. Some reports say a caliper failed to release and the brakes had to be pumped or the parking brake used to stop. Others mention warped front rotors that were machined more than once. Filing dates and mileages vary widely, with several reports after repeated brake work.

   What to check: Listen for brake noise on a test drive and check rotor condition and pad thickness. Ask how recently pads, rotors and calipers were replaced and whether the same wheel has been serviced more than once.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes were squeaking, metal to metal. Took vehicle to mechanic, and he replaced front pads. Six months later, problem reoccurred. Took vehicle to dealer,and they replaced rebuilt caliper, rotors, and pads. Six months later, problem reoccurred. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8015504, filed 2002-08

   “My '97 Sebring has warped rotors on the front disc brakes. They have been machined twice. Other reports from other owners via internet reveal that this failure is a common occurrence with this vehicle. Tried to get TSB 05-08-98 but couldn't get it.”

   NHTSA complaint #705157, filed 1999-03

Buying note. Inspect the front suspension and seat belts before purchase and ask for recall repair records, since both are recurring topics in owner complaints on this model year. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the transmission and brake calipers is worthwhile given the age of these cars.

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.