Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Chrysler Sebring problems
Owners filed 291 complaints about the 2004 Chrysler Sebring with NHTSA between Nov 2003 and Mar 2025. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (68).
Complaints
291
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
27
Reported by owners
Fires
21
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine and engine cooling68
- Air bags42
- Suspension39
- Electrical system27
- Power train27
- Vehicle speed control23
- Seats20
- Engine18
- Service brakes, hydraulic14
- Structure14
- Visibility13
- Fuel system, gasoline11
- Steering9
- Seat belts8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
38
31
32
26
34
15
20
11
10
10
17
10
12
6
3
5
2
1
1
3
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 38 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 32 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 34 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Air bags
42 reports18 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Suspension
39 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Electrical system
27 reports4 fires
“Car will start sometimes and then will not. Replaced 20 amp fuse and it will start. Maybe 10-15 times it will start and then it will not. My wife drives the car and is very concerning to her. Have looked at other complaints on your site about this and no one has had it resolved!!!!”
Power train
27 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I GOT THE CAR ON JAN 1,14..SINCE I HAD THIS I HAVE PROBLEMS. IN JULY 14 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT ON THE CAR..AND ITS READING GAS LEAK AS OF NOW .ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITS SELF I WOULD BE DRIVING DOING 60 MPH AND IT WILL A ACCELERATES AND IT SCARES ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR SOME TIMES.ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WERE PUT IN THE WRONG WAY. THE HORN WORKS ONCE IN AWHILE..THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD IT. *TR”
Vehicle speed control
23 reports4 crashes
“WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. (FORCEFULL), SO MUCH THAT I HIT SOMEONE THAT WAS 5+FT INFRONT OF ME I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES WITH ME. BUT I CAN PROVIDE THEM AND ALSO THE REPAIR BILL”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.