NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 319 owner complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring. Most complaints involve structure (71) and service brakes, hydraulic (37). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
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.
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 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. ADDITIONALLY, THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AN INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.”
“THIS COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS THE ONE FILED ON MARCH 12TH OF 01. PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. ON MY MAKE AND MODEL CHRYSLER SEBRING CONV. THERE ARE NO WEAR SENSORS ON THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS. ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE DO THEY HAVE THE REQUIRED HARDWARE TO DETECT BRAKE WEAR. ON MY CAR THE RIGHT INSIDE BRAKE PAD ALWAYS WEARS OUT FIRST. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE MY BRAKES AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME MILEAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION IF REQUIRED TO VERIFY COMPLAINT IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. *JB”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER ARM CONTROL, LOWER BALL JOINT, TIE ROD, AND AXLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
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, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Sebring Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 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 |
13 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 319 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (71), service brakes, hydraulic (37), suspension (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Chrysler Sebring at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).