1999 Chrysler Sebring Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1999 Chrysler Sebring most often describe transmission failures, front suspension ball joint wear, and door trim, handles and hinges coming loose or breaking. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 120,000 miles, and several describe problems that appeared gradually and then failed suddenly while driving, along with repeated dealer visits that did not resolve the concern.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Door panels, handles and hinges breaking loose

   • 24 complaints (14%)
   • median 92,750 mi at 5.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2008

   Complaints describe interior door panels detaching, sometimes while driving, and exterior door handles snapping off so the door cannot be opened from outside. Owners also report broken door hinges and, on convertibles, stitching around the top and windows giving way. Several say the dealer treated the repair as not covered and quoted a per-door cost. Mostly reported between about 32,000 and 120,000 miles, and some convertible top stitching problems are described in hot climates.

   What to check: Open and close every door from outside and inside, pull gently on the interior panels, and on convertibles check the top stitching around the windows for rot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In sept. 2003 my driver door handle broke-off. Within 3 weeks, the passenger door handle broke as well. I've called Chrysler and they informed me that it was my problem. To replace the handle / latch cost around $125 for each door.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045921, filed 2003-11, 97,500 miles

   “My door panel on the drivers side of my 1999 Chrysler Sebring lxi blew off on the highway hitting my car and coming dangerously close to hitting several others behind me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141193, filed 2005-10, 116,500 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint wear and separation

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 100,461 mi at 9.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners describe a clicking or groaning noise from the front end when changing direction, followed by diagnosis of worn or separated lower ball joints; some report the front of the car dropping onto the tire. Several mention the ball joint boots were dry, split or missing grease, and some say the dealer declined to perform recall work on their vehicle. Reports range from roughly 24,000 to 168,000 miles, with several owners noticing noise well before 50,000 miles.

   Recall 00V421002

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V421002 was completed and have a shop inspect both lower ball joints and their boots for play, cracked rubber or missing grease before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchase this used 1999 Chrysler Sebring lxi 2 years ago and was told by the dealer it only needed a wheel alignment. After attempting to get an alignment I was informed that the lower lateral control arms needed to be replaced. This is extremely scary and very hard to get fixed because of my work schedule. I contacted a dealer and was told that my car had the recall work done in 2001. I looked my VIN up on the Chrysler website and was advised there was no recall affecting my vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10241127, filed 2008-09, 138,000 miles

   “Nhtsa#00-v-421-000:lower ball joint boot: lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly dirt and water can intrude. Also mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture which can cause ball stud to corrode. Consumer stated that his vehicle was recall and the recall failed. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10003762, filed 2003-01, 46,186 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hard shifting or internal failure

   • 19 complaints (11%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2006

   Complaints describe the transmission shifting into a lower gear on its own at highway speed, refusing to engage a gear, or making a loud noise followed by loss of drive. Several owners say a shop found metal debris in the transmission fluid or a hole in the case and replaced or rebuilt the unit. Others report the speedometer stopping at the same time, and some describe the dealer recognizing the pattern immediately. Most reports fall between about 44,000 and 86,000 miles, with failures appearing at speed as well as at low speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and check the fluid for a burnt smell or debris on the dipstick; drive the car at highway speed and confirm it holds gear and the speedometer reads steadily.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 1999 Chrysler Sebring in july 2005. My transmission blew up almost causing the car to catch fire. I was on the freeway returning home from a trip and heard this loud noise that shook the entire car. I thought that a truck tire had blown out until I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a big ploom of smoke that appeared to be coming from my car. I immediately looked at the dash to see if there were any warning lights and there weren't. But the car began to slow down very fast. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141218, filed 2005-10, 85,000 miles

   “Upset with the fact that I have two Chrysler products: 1990 plymouth voyager and 1999 chrsyler Sebring both of which failed prematurely. The voyager had two transmission replacments and the Sebring had one transmission replaced. Both failed before 70,000 miles. I see that there's bulletins addressing the issues, but when the dealer was contacted I was told sorry and it's to late to make any claims. We are all aware there are secret warranty watches as well as reasonable durability. I have written and called but seem to get nowhere”

   NHTSA complaint #10125208, filed 2005-06, 68,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or accelerator response problems

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • median 92,322 mi at 9.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own from low speed or in reverse without pedal input, in some cases continuing despite braking. Other reports describe the accelerator pedal going unresponsive with the check engine light on, or the engine racing and downshifting abruptly at highway speed. Complaints note that some vehicles were not included in related campaigns. Reported from roughly 39,000 to 178,000 miles, often at very low speed such as pulling into a parking space or driveway.

   What to check: During a test drive, check that the pedal returns freely with no binding, that idle speed is steady in gear and in reverse, and ask whether any throttle or speed-control repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the vehicle was in reverse, and the brake pedal applied, the vehicle accelerated at a high speed. The vehicle had gone out of control approximately 55 feet and hit the garage and two parked vehicles. The brakes did not respond because the vehicle did not shift into any other gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #10021527, filed 2003-06, 69,488 miles

   “Backed out of driveway, changed directions, throttle applied, speed of vehicle increased, speed continued to increase. The vehicle had no response to the braking system, vehicle proceeded through a stop sign across a major 4 lane road, stroke the front of a brick building, and continued along the side of the building. Then, striking a parked vehicle with trailer. Vehicle was totaled, and has been transferred to dealership for verification.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117930, filed 2005-04, 73,645 miles
5. 5
   Wheels

   Aluminum wheels bending and losing air

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 50,500 mi at 5.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners report repeated flat tires and rapid air loss traced to the aluminum rims, with shops describing bends in the wheel and poor sealing at the bead. Some say several wheels were found bent at once and that the tires were replaced repeatedly without solving it. Dealers are described as unwilling to cover the wheels. Most reports come in under about 85,000 miles, and some owners describe flats within the first couple of years of ownership.

   What to check: Inspect each rim for bends or curb damage, check tire pressures after the car sits overnight, and ask whether wheels have been replaced or repaired for leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On december 18,2003 , one the wheels (rims) on my wife's car bent and caused the tire to deflate very repidly and almost caused her to loose control and cause an accident. In 2002 the same thing had happened with another of the wheels. The car had to be towed after the 2003 incident. While having the wheel replaced it was found out that two other wheels were bend and in need of replacement. My wife found out from other customers at the tire place that several other people had the same bad experience with the same type Sebring. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10052612, filed 2004-01, 84,000 miles

   “I have never had a flat tire untill I owned this vehicle. The problem I believe is with the aluminum rims. They lose air, the rim bends up easily, I never know when I'm going to have another flat tire because of these stupid rims that look nice.all tires on my vehicle have been replaced. This car is a death trap and me and my daughter might not be so lucky the next time I get a flat tire because of my rims!!!!!!!t*ak (tiresize: p215/50r17)( DOT number: tire size: p215/50r17 )”

   NHTSA complaint #742951, filed 2001-03

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worth the cost on this model year, with attention to the transmission, both front lower ball joints and recall 00V421002 completion, and the condition of the wheels. Maintenance records showing transmission service and front-end work give the clearest picture of how the car has been kept.

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.