1996 Chrysler Sebring: brake failure

Filed Dec 16, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · MI

Cable connecting gas pedal to engine frayed and stuck at full throttle. Brakes did not work. Was traveling in rush hour traffic at full speed two times. The first time repeated stomping on the gas pedal and brake pedal and throwing the car into neutral unjammed it after a couple of minutes. The second time also in rush hour traffic these efforts did not help. I wove in and out of traffic until I got to an off ramp, and luckily was able to get through the traffic light at the intersection at the off ramp and onto a sidestreet where I put it into neutral and landed it like an airplane on a landing strip with the brakes smoking and the engine screaming and the car glided to a stop. Was told the cable had unwound like a frayed piece of rope and stuck inside the cable connecting the pedal to the engine.

Filed Dec 12, 2001 · Steering · IL · crash

Loss of control/steering on car. First incident was traveling on highway approx. 45 MPH and needed to break suddenly. Car lost control and began to fishtail. Luckily was able to gain control. Second instance was traveling approx. 65mph went to merge into right lane and noticed a vehicle there. Jerked the car back into my lane (no brakes applied at that time) and the car lost control again and began fishtailing uncontrollably. . Could not gain control this time and ended up hitting the middle barrier of the expressway resulting in another car hitting mine. Crash could have been a lot worse. Am now waiting for chrysler investigator to determine if this is a result of a recall. But, will bring to independant mechanic for their opinion first. Just curious if this has happened to anyone else.

Filed Jul 7, 2000 · Acceleration · OH

While accelerating to pass a vehicle at 60 MPH accelerator pedal went to the floorboard. Vehicle kept accelerating without application. When braking was not effected, driver down shifted to the lowest gear, shifted vehcle in park and turned the engine off. Throttle cable was frayed. This was discovered by owner before the vehicle was idle to the dealership.

Filed Nov 22, 1999 · Acceleration, Brakes · MD

While driving the vehicle down hill throttle cable broke, causing the accelerator pedal to not return to idle and the brakes did not work. The driver had to downshift into low gear and use the emergency brake to stop. Dealer has vehicle.

Filed Oct 4, 1999 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

The vehicle had remained stuck on cruise control. It kept on accelerating. Had applied brakes; vehicle did not slow down. Relaxed on brakes & vehicle accelerated again. Had worn brakes out. At side of road & turned vehicle off & disengaged cruise control. Restarted vehicle & had no brakes. Used emergency brakes. Had vehicle towed to dealer.

Filed May 17, 1999 · Brakes · FL · crash

Letter sent to chrysler with all details (file number 5441396)(copy available on request). I braked, car stopped momentarily, then started to slide as though on ice. Brake pedal did not go down all the way to the floor & I was still applying pressure as the car continued forward. First time just went thru stop sign. Second time (10 minutes later), I had the same problem and hit a car. Estimated damage given was only to their car. Did not estimate mine. Chrysler's independent advisor said nothing was wrong with the brakes. Don't know what they checked but they said they wouldn't do any more. Terrified to drive car again. Traded it in to another dealer for a different brand. They considered the estimated damage in the trade-in price. I hope nobody gets killed next time. Considering they had a recall on the 96 sebring convertible, you would think they would look harder for the cause of this double brake failure. Maybe they fixed the problem and just did not want to admit that there was one.

Filed Feb 9, 1999 · Brakes · NJ

Vehicle collision due to brake failure.

Filed Feb 4, 1999 · Brakes · NJ · crash · 1 injury

While driving applied brakes and nothing happened, vehicle went into a spin, hit a stone wall. Police report stated vehicle had no brakes. Fluids checked okay. Dealer contacted and does not accept responsibility for the incident. *ak ml

Filed Sep 14, 1998 · Brakes · FL · fire

Brakes failed 7 months after dealer installed new brake booster vacuum hose as result of a chyrsler recall. When brakes failed front bumper struck the rear bumper of a jeep. While traveling at approx. 10 MPH, the jeep only experienced minor damage. Within seconds of collision, the engine of my vehicle caught fire - resulting in a total loss of my vehicle. Believe this is due to manufacturer defects.

Filed Jun 22, 1998 · Brakes · CA

Brake problems; intermittently, while driving the vehicle at 30 MPH and applying the brakes, the pedal goes to the floorboard and the vehicle keeps traveling at 35 MPH. This happens without warning, under normal braking conditions, on regular road surface, and no inclement weather. The brakes pads were replaced 4 times/rotors were replaced once, and calipers were checked/replaced. Owner still experiencing braking problem.

Filed Aug 5, 1997 · Brakes · TX

Brake pads wear excessively and destroys the rotors. When it rains the brakes are completely inoperable. The pedal goes to the floor and rotors "scream", metal against metal.

Filed Jun 20, 1997 · Brakes · MD

While driving on three seperate occasions on or about 15 MPH, trying to come to a complete stop brakes failed . Manufacturer was contacted. There was an inspection on the vehicle, the manufacturer could not duplicate the problem, but the connection was tightened.