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Research · Compact Cars

2004 Chrysler SebringRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 291 owner complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Sebring. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (68) and air bags (42). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
291
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Air bagsReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V338000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Oct 9, 2009NHTSA 09E056000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

291 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2003 – Mar 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling68
  2. Air bags42
  3. Suspension39
  4. Electrical system27
  5. Power train27
  6. Vehicle speed control23
  7. Seats20
  8. Engine18
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sebring model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996433
1997294
1998319
1999263
2000172
2001269
2002234
200374
2004291
200582
2006138
2007339
2008352
200945
2010104
Crashes reported
27
Fires reported
21
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

68 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10451205

Air bags

42 reports18 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS FLASHING, WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,999.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2019Air bagsODI 11232753

Suspension

39 reports2 crashes
“DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY. TIRE SEPARATED FROM CAR AND AXLE SEPARATED FROM TRANSAXLE. APPROXIMATE SPEED LESS THAN 6MPH. NO CONTOL OF CAR AFTER INCIDENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2020SuspensionODI 11377440
All 2004 Sebring problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S4)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sebring
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Sebring 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900404
Sebring Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900404
Sebring
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
Sebring
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
Sebring
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
Sebring
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
Sebring 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Sebring 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
Sebring Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
Sebring Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Sebring Convertible
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
  • Sebring
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, CLKUP
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, 2MODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, FLEX-FUEL, CLKUP
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chrysler Sebring as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1101Vehicle 1085Vehicle 1084
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Sebring questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Chrysler Sebring have?

7 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.

What are the most common 2004 Chrysler Sebring problems?

Owners filed 291 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (68), air bags (42), suspension (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Chrysler Sebring get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Chrysler Sebring at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026