2010 Chrysler Sebring Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Sebring most often describe throttle-related problems: the electronic throttle control (ETC) light comes on, the car loses power or decelerates unexpectedly, and stalling follows. Second most common is the restraint system — air bag warning lights lingering and complaints about the 16V668000 recall, plus reports of air bags not deploying in a crash. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to well past 100,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   ETC light, loss of throttle, stalling

   • 13 complaints (15%)
   • median 103,280 mi at 5.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2020

   Owners describe the electronic throttle control light coming on, often at a stop or while cruising, followed by the car shaking, refusing to accelerate, or dropping speed sharply on the highway. Several had the throttle body replaced and reprogrammed, and some report the problem returned afterwards. Mechanics and dealers are variously reported as replacing the throttle body, cleaning the throttle, or being unable to diagnose the cause. Reported from about 23,000 miles up to 127,000 miles, occurring both at a stop and at highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, watch for the ETC or check-engine light and any hesitation under acceleration. Ask whether the throttle body has been replaced and whether any related software or module work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Periodic loss of throttle control. Throttle light will come on usually while idling at a stop, car starts shaking, will not accelerate. Almost got into a wreck. I have two kids with me in the car. I thought it was safe because throttle body was replaced and didnt have problems for a couple weeks since then! Mechanics cant even figure out the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11197192, filed 2019-04, 108,000 miles

   “I was driving my car last week and the electronic throttle control light came on then went off happened maybe 3 or 4 times but nothing of it... So today I'm on my way from work I make a stop on my way home go to start the car and leave and I turned the key but nothing the radio and lights all work but it's not even attempting to start. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10598238, filed 2014-06, 55,812 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and restraint concerns

   • 25 complaints (29%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 7.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Many owners describe the air bag warning light staying on, sometimes along with the seat belt warning, and dealers often did not diagnose or repair it. Several complaints reference recall 16V668000 for the occupant restraint control module, with owners saying parts were unavailable for months; in one case the dealer performed the recall but told the owner it did not cover the light. A few reports describe air bags not deploying in a collision. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 12,000 to 105,000 miles, and often filed years after purchase while waiting on recall parts.

   Recall 16V6680001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the air bag light goes out after the self-check. Ask for proof that recall 16V668000 was completed, and whether the occupant restraint module was replaced or inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was in a car accident where another car hit the passenger side and only the passenger air bag deployed. The crash was bad enough where the other airbags should have deployed. I suffered injuries to my back, neck and arms.”

   NHTSA complaint #10606052, filed 2014-06, 105,475 miles

   “I was notified of a recall back in september 2016. It is now august 2017 and there is still not a remedy. It's entirely too long of a time for me and my daughter to ride in that dangerous car! Too long and they don't seem to care at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11013136, filed 2017-08
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brakes feel soft or fail to stop the car

   • 10 complaints (12%)
   • median 51,079 mi at 3.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor, having to pump it repeatedly, or the brakes not responding when pressed at low speed. Some had the master cylinder, brake booster, or hydraulic pump diagnosed or replaced, and a few note their vehicle was not covered by recall 10V009000 for the brake booster input rod clip. Others report vibration through the wheel or an ABS light after extended driving. Reported from about 28,000 to 118,000 miles, often at low speeds or after the car has been driven a while.

   Recall 10V009000

   What to check: Test the pedal feel at a stop and at low speed, and check for an ABS light. Ask whether recall 10V009000 was completed and whether the master cylinder or brake booster has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving into work on june 27, 2016 at 7:45 am I proceeded off the highway ramp and my brake light came on I pushed the brake and pressed the emergency brake thinking some how that will help; however it didn't and after about 10 minutes it went off. I went to work and it was fine. Again this morning july 7 at 8:20 the same thing has happened this morning and now my back brakes are squeaking.”

   NHTSA complaint #10883285, filed 2016-07, 89,000 miles

   “On may 31, 2013, I was traveling to visit family for easter. My twenty-month-old son was also in my vehicle. Driving at approximately 30-35 miles per hour, less than 2 RPM, around a curve when I lost all power steering out of nowhere and could not steer. Also my brakes went all the way to the floor and would not work. I was unable to control my vehicle. The vehicle went off the embankment uncontrollably, almost flipping and hitting concrete plates head on and that quick the vehicle came to a stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10507374, filed 2013-04, 57,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering becomes stiff or loses assist

   • 13 complaints (15%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2023

   Owners describe the steering wheel becoming hard to turn, sometimes intermittently while driving, and in some cases losing power assist entirely mid-turn. A few mention rack-and-pinion or steering column replacement, and one report links the problem to a failed power control module. Complaints also reference recall 10V475000 for a power steering pressure hose. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 99,000 miles, with some reports at much higher mileage.

   Recall 10V475000

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock-to-lock while parked and at low speed and listen for noise or uneven effort. Ask whether the power steering hose recall 10V475000 was performed and whether the steering rack or column has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Whitish/grayish smoke was billowing out of front end of car. Patrons driving alerted us & we exited vehicle. As we vacated vehicle we realized purse was still in vehicle, we ran to retrieve it & as we retrieved belongings, fire engulfed front end of vehicle & shot through front of vehicle & engulfed the entire front portion of vehicle & inside of vehicle. Power steering fluid dripped on engine which ignited the fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10735203, filed 2015-07, 86,000 miles

   “I was getting off the freeway and the car started to slow down and stutter so I turned off the main road and the engine turned off and the power steering went out. Luckily it was a sunday so there wasn't any traffic behind me but if there had been there could have been an accident since I had no control over power steering or the engine shutting off. There was no indication on the dash board that there was a major issue. I tried to start it a few times but had to wait over 5 minutes before it finally started. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10691613, filed 2015-03, 74,563 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Wipers and electrical faults tied to control module

   • 13 complaints (15%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners describe windshield wipers that stop mid-swipe, change speed on their own, or quit during rain, with the wiper motor and linkage reported as fine. Several attribute the problem to the integrated body or control module, and one owner reported a long back-order wait for the module while the wipers were not working. Other electrical reports include stalling with multiple warning lights and battery drain. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 100,000 miles, often noticed in wet weather or after the car sits.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Run the wipers through all speeds, including intermittent, and watch for them stalling or changing speed. Ask whether the body or integrated control module has been replaced or repaired and whether any warning lights have appeared.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The check engine light came on aug 2016. Garage says it needs a new integrated control module, told them to order one, they said it will take several months because 100's are on back order, they said to go ahead and drive the car. The windshield wipers are not working now (june 2017) and the garage says it is because of the integrated control module. The module is still on back order and we are number 450 or such. This seems to be a common problem the the Sebring (now Chrysler 200). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10994564, filed 2017-06, 34,000 miles

   “Wipers have a mind of their own. Sometimes they just quit working during a rain storm and other times they change speed on their own and other times they stop right in your field of vision during a rain storm. You can sometimes get them working again by pulling off the road if you can do safely and shut the car off and restart it and things go back to normal. I had a mechanic look at it and there is nothing wrong mechanically wrong with the wiper motor or linkage. The problem is with the integrated body computer that controls the wiper system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10649168, filed 2014-10, 27,245 miles

Buying note. These cars are old enough that condition and repair history matter more than mileage, so ask for records on throttle body work, the two open recalls, and any module replacements. A pre-purchase inspection that checks the warning lights, brakes, and steering assist is worth the cost on this model year.

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.