Chrysler Sebring Convertible grinding brakes problems

Filed Feb 5, 2011 · Suspension · 15,000 miles · IL

I was backing out of a friends driveway in my 1997 chrysler sebring convertible when all of a sudden there was a loud noise and a grinding sound. When I got out to look, it turns out that the front lower ball joint assembly broke in half by the front hub assembly. I then called a tow truck to have my vehicle towed and when the tow company came they informed me this was the 4th chrysler convertible in two months that they have had to tow with the front lower ball joint breaking. I then decided to check for recalls and it turns out there are 2 recalls on this vehicle but when I contacted the loccal chrysler dealership they inform me that there is no recall on my car. How can that be when you list the following recalls 04v021000, 09e056000 and 10e059000 on your website. I am just very thankful that I was not driving at a higher rate of speed when this happened or it could have been serious, like two of the other accidents that happened the tow truck driver shared with me. Two of the other vehicles he towed, the drivers were injured when the ball joint broke and they crashed.

Filed Feb 21, 2009 · Wheels · NJ

I have a 2003 chrysler sebring convertible that has chrome/aluminum wheels. I noticed that I was losing substantial pressure in my tires on a regular basis. Thinking this was a problem with the tires, and the car was under warranty, I took the car back to the chrysler service center in wyckoff nj where I purchased it. Upon inspection, the service technician indicated that there was nothing wrong with the wheels and that I should make sure to keep the tires properly inflated. The problem persisted and, when I brought the car to my regular (non-chrysler) mechanic, he pointed out that my rims were corroding from the inside and that this affected the bead on the tire and caused it to lose pressure. He indicated that he had called chrysler and been told the problem was not covered under warranty. I have since read that this is a common problem with sebring rims. I sent an internet complaint to chrysler's website but received no response. My mechanic advised that all he could do, instead of total replacement, was grind down the old rims and tar over them as a stop gap solution. I experience additional loss of pressure about every other day and have taken the car back to tire dealers twice to regrind the rims. Each time they point to the corrosion and their frustration with chrysler not dealing the problem. Having tires lose pressure because of a defect in the design and performance of the wheel is a clear safety hazard. I hope the federal safety agency will look into this and require chrysler to stand behind its product. Thank you.

Filed Sep 4, 2007 · Steering, Transmission · 133,480 miles · RI · crash · fire · 1 injury

After explaining to my mechanic that my front end was rubbing and grinding at a speed of 40 and above, and that it was worse while driving straight or bearing left, while bearing right the rubbing and grinding lessened a lot. My mechanic said that he replaced front brakes & balanced wheels. The same situation still existed. He stated that my front axle needed to be replaced, & he would replace it when he came back from vacation. I explained to the mechanic that it was getting worse and if my children and I would be safe driving the vehicle until he returned, he said it would be fine to drive. On june 30th 2007 ,the children and I noticed it was getting worse. I drove the car home. I then decided to go for a ride with it, alone. I started driving on route 195 east in the high speed lane with my cruise control set at 65 MPH. Shortly after crossing the ri/ma line the steering wheel became very loose and I heard a very loud bang. My car then started to lift off the ground. Lifting the right side & then the right. I tried to apply my brakes but with two tires off the ground they were not working. I tried steering the car in the opposite direction that was being lifted off the road. I had no steering at all. The car rocked side to side while heading into the next lane of travel and as it did the rocking turned the car over and over and over several times. After the first roll over I do not remember anything. I became unconscious. The state police who investigated the accident stated, the car was going in all directions across the highway while rolling over several times landing in the bush off the side of the highway. He stated that there were 6 witness and one of them had pulled me out of my car and carried me away from the vehicle a few feet (I was not conscious). I did become somewhat coherent,and heard a loud explosion and saw my car burst into flames. I then became unconscious again until the next morning in the hospital.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Body, Fuel system · 2,000 miles · FL

Problems started even before the first payment was due. The transmission was replaced twice and still jolts when driving and slips out of gear. On the third occasion I was told by the service manager that it is normal for the sebring's drive that way and it was not fixed. Over time the fuel pump has been replaced three times and still has the same problem. The roof has leaked. The doors shake. Automatic windows do not work properly. Both front seats do not lock into place. The key is difficult to remove on occasion. I have had two alignments done but the front end shakes when driving and has a rubbing/grinding noise. The car has 43,000 miles and I consider it unsafe and unreliable for long distances.

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Body · MS · crash

Dt: 2000 chrysler sebring, the wheel fell off while the consumer's daughter was driving 25 MPH in a neighborhood. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who determined that the a frame had cracked. The wheel was the passenger front wheel. She heard a grinding sound before this happened. She did hit another vehicle and both vehicles were damaged. The police did respond, but did not file a report. Daimler-chrysler sent an inspector and told them it was not fault of the manufacturer. They would not show her the report and if she wanted to do anything further she would need to get a lawyer. The vehicle had been serviced in february 25, 2005; it had a brake inspection and other brake work done.

Filed Apr 30, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 48,801 miles · WI

On 4/22/04 I took my 1999 chrysler severing convertible to be services because the AC didn't seem to be cooling and there was a grinding noise in the front drivers side wheel. Turns out the rack & pinion steering is shot, the cooling core is cracked and the cooling sensor is not functioning properly. Repairs would total more than $2100 to fix. Requested a front end alignment and took vehicle home to consider options. Two days later vehicle failed when started, 'service engine soon' light came on, speedometer didn't work, and vehicle was stuck in 2nd gear. Found out that both transmission sensors are bad, there is silver sludge in transmission and I need new front brakes. This vehicle has 48,000 miles on it. Has been services according to manufactures recommendations and I can't wait to get rid of it.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · MD

Front lower ball joints wore out. As a result, a grinding sound was produced.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · AL

Consumer noticed a deep scratch on the wood paneling. (nar) *la while lowering the convertible top the vehicle's rear windshield shattered. The brakes squealed and had to be replaced at 12000 miles. The vehicle had various electrical malfunctions. When the vehicle was started the speedometer would bounce from 0 - 120 MPH. The dealer was never able to rectify this problem. The radio, cd player and speakers were replaced several times. While driving the vehicle shut down with no warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the consumer that the engine had blown.

Filed Apr 10, 2003 · Brakes, Seats · 22,000 miles · IN

Drivers seat does not latch properly , was taken into dealer and wasn't fixed properly. Rear defrost does not work was taken into dealer and was told that it worked because the light on the switch turns on but it still does not defrost, front brakes make squealing noise must put new brake pads on every 2 months because the rotors get too hot and the pads get glazed , car has been taken in at least twice for each of these and the problems still are not fixed.

Filed Jan 19, 2003 · Brakes · PA

We leased a 2000chrysler sebring convertable brand new. This past november we bought the vehicle. We have 30000 miles on the car and with no warning at all our brakes were gone to the point that the 2 front drums had to be replaced and the rear passenger drum had to be replaced. We have owned many cars and never had to replace drums and very few times had to replace brakes. We had no loss of brake pedal and no squealiong or grinding at all. They have been checked each time it was int he garage.