NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 294 owner complaints for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring. Most complaints involve seat belts (38) and suspension (35). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sebring model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 433 |
| 1997 | 294 |
| 1998 | 319 |
| 1999 | 263 |
| 2000 | 172 |
| 2001 | 269 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 74 |
| 2004 | 291 |
| 2005 | 82 |
| 2006 | 138 |
| 2007 | 339 |
| 2008 | 352 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 104 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RELEASE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BENT INWARDS TOWARDS THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.”
“MY 1997 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN DURING RUSH HOUR. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AT A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, MY CAR DIED MIDWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR WIRING IS THE CAUSE FOR MY FUEL PUMP TO CUT OFF AS A SAFETY MEASURE FOR THE CARS PROTECTION BUT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. AFTER SEEING THE DEALER AND LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON FOR THE 2.7L ENGINE IN MY CAR AND MANY OTHER AUTOS MADE BY DAMLIER CHRYSLER. IF THE 18 WHEELER WOULD HAVE NOT CHANGED LANES I WOULD HAVE DIED. I AM WAITING TO REPLACE THE WIRING BECAUSE THIS IS SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF WORK. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, (FFS), VMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sebring Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, (FFS), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
11 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 294 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (38), suspension (35), electrical system (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Chrysler Sebring at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).