I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, & I finally said forget it(I would have been too costly) & I needed my vehicle to get to work. Many things failed after that; gas gauge; speedometer needle; right turn signal; & radio.Other things but just can’t remember at the moment.
The worst 1996 Chrysler Sebring problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension70
- Brakes54
- Transmission47
- Engine41
- Body39
- Electrical37
- Airbags31
- Visibility27
- Acceleration19
- Seat belts16
- Steering13
- Wheels7
- Fuel system6
- Tires5
- Lights4
- Locks3
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring
Ball joint 44No deployment 15Brake failure 14Stalling 13Fire or smoke 10Grinding brakes 7Water leak 7Premature wear 6
Recalls 7
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l v6 engines, the throttle control cable can fray causing the throttle to bind or stick.
- Risk
- This could potentially result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the throttle cable assembly. Owner notification began august 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V186000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v‑066.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.
Recall number 00V421002 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 99V066003 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
- Risk
- If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Recall number 98V183000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
- Risk
- Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the lower control arm will be replaced.
Recall number 97V201000 · Recall details
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
- What is wrong
- The electrical contacts in the power mirror switch can accumulate road salt due to water entering into the switch.
- Risk
- This can result in a high resistance short circuit and possibly cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the power mirror switch with a newly designed switch.
Recall number 97V015000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
- What is wrong
- The power brake booster vacuum hose was improperly installed on the intake manifold vacuum nipple.
- Risk
- A disconnected vacuum hose causes an increase in engine idle speed and loss of power assist during brake application increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will fully install the intake manifold vacuum hose to the vacuum nipple on the intake manifold.
Recall number 96V123000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring
Defect investigations
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
PE02082
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
RQ00015
Automatic transaxle ignition interlock
Alleged failure of the automatic transaxle ignition interlock system that either allows the ignition key to be removed when the transmission gear selector is not in the park position and the transmission gear selector to be shifted when the ignition key is removed or prevents theignition key from being removed when the transmission gear selector is in the park, or any other, position.
EA98014
Convertible top cover disengagement
Alleged that the convertible top cover may disengage from the subject vehicles while driving.
EA97025
Convertible top cover disengagement
Odi has received three reports alleging disengagement of the convertible top cover from the subject vehicles while driving.
PE97029
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring 121
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Return: Wiring Assy
- Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy
- Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your...
- CBXDP361AA
- Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
1996 Chrysler Sebring fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 27-29 | 21-22 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 20 |
What 1996 Chrysler Sebring owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving on the highway; all of a sudden my right dash speaker started on fire. I had a Bubbler in my vehicle, so I used that to put it out. Since then, my radio no longer works, nor does mileage show & gas gauge fluctuates, & cannot tell when it is actually empty.
Air bag comes on and the all dials on the dashboard go blank.
Air bag light goes off and on when starting and driving then the gages on the dashboard stop working. Sometimes just the red air bag light goes and the dials still work. When the red air bag light goes off usually the dials come back within 10 minites or 5 miles.
I took my car to get diagnostic for smog. The shop I took it to smog smart explain they have dismateled my car claiming engine, coolant, and timing belt. They have removed parts and claim they contacted chrysler and its company states its repairs is not worth the vehicle. The engine claim, the coolant claim and timing belt they have made against the manufacture. The engine checked fine before dropping the car off. The car would stop due to heating the fuel running since the car had been a non op for 3 years andreason for smog. The car was deliberatley dismanteled can I get its information of the claim the smog mart 7070stockton sacramento ca 95820 is making so I can settle with the sheriffs in there distruction of my proeprty without invoice signature to remove any partys on my car except ordered to run diagnositcis.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler sebring. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact crashed the vehicle into a ditch. There were no injuries. The independent mechanic repaired the brake chamber, both rear brake lines, and the adjuster; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Trans cable broke caused the car not to shift out of gear at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without driver intent. She finally got it stopped by putting it in park, using the brakes had no effect. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated there was no recall on her vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.
1996 chrysler sebring wheel came off while driving on the ohio turnpike. While the driver pulled off to the right berm, the wheel crossed the median and struck another vehicle. *kb according to the police report, the lug nuts sheared off. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0734-90.
Compare the 1996 Chrysler Sebring
Other model years
19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Questions about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring
Is the 1996 Chrysler Sebring reliable?
Owners have filed 342 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, 2.9 times a typical Sebring model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
Suspension, with 70 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is brakes (54).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?
7 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, suspension and power train.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring suspension?
Yes, 3 recalls: 00V421002, 99V066003, 97V201000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chrysler Sebring have bad suspension?
The Chrysler Sebring model years with the most suspension complaints are 1996 (70 complaints), 1995 (46 complaints) and 2002 (37 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 27-29 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history