1996 Chrysler Sebring problems
NHTSA has received 481 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, and 17% of them involve suspension. After that come brakes (13%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 481 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 52 and 11
- Injuries and deaths
- 30 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 76,000 miles 45 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 45 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 76,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 83,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 52 complaints mention a crash; 11 complaints mention a fire; 30 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Chrysler Sebring with enough data (304 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler sebring convertible. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The air bags deployed and the contact was trapped in her vehicle. The air bags released debris that began burning her face. There was also a large cloud of smoke as if chemicals were being released from the air bags. She was transported to the hospital and a physician stated that she received second degree burns.
While driving at 40MPH front right end hit a wall, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. Dealer has not seen vehicle.
Driver's side airbag did not deploy during front end collision, vehicle stopped, rearended, thrown into stopped vehicle in front, entire front end smashed.
On the engine I had the pulley on the timing belt come apart and just last month I had the head gasket start to leak from the back. Timing belt 28,000 head gasket 37,500. I have had to replace all 4 tires that where on the car. All by 29,000 miles--some earlier and then later. The brakes were replaces at the same time as the timing belt pulley. I knew they needed replacement and had an appointment to get them replaced when the timeing belt went out. It is a 1996 but I only have 37,500 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without driver intent. She finally got it stopped by putting it in park, using the brakes had no effect. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated there was no recall on her vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.