The contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, he was rear-ended by a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the driver claimed that the brakes had failed on his vehicle and he was unable to stop. The contact stated that he sustained back and neck injuries but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was informed that the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was a total loss by the other driver’s insurance company. The contact stated that both vehicles were towed to collision repair centers. The contact stated that his vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage of both vehicles were unknown.
The worst 1997 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.
- Brakes32
- Transmission29
- Suspension28
- Airbags24
- Seat belts23
- Engine22
- Body18
- Electrical18
- Acceleration16
- Visibility14
- Wheels14
- Steering11
- Fuel system6
- Tires3
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring
Ball joint 14No deployment 10Brake failure 8Sudden acceleration 7Check engine light 6Seat belt 6
Recalls 5
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
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
Seats: front assembly: head restraint
- What is wrong
- The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
- Risk
- The headrest support bracket can break, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
Recall number 97V081002 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1997 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
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
EA99028
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
PE99030
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
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring 130
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 This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Return: Wiring Assy
- Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy
- 05182535AD
- CBXDP361AA
- Warranty Operations Newsletter Updates from Warranty Operations
- Return: Lamp Assy
1997 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 1997 Chrysler Sebring owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fire in right front dash area( passenger side) to the right of the air bag. Broke/melted front window/wiper blade, burned a 12" square hole in the dash. While driving the vehicle the driver smelt something burning--no signs of smoke, the vehicle was driven and parked over night. The damage was noticed the next morning.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. While attempting to put on the seat belt, the seat belt did not release and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. ....updated 07/05/16 *bf the consumer stated the solenoid was defective. Updated 07/14/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 10e059000 (suspension). While driving 3 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise emitting from the front of the vehicle. The wheel assembly fractured and the front driver side tire was bent inwards towards the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the upper control arm was fractured and needed to be replaced. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 208,000.
I purchased the 1997 chrysler sebring in november of 2014. I did notice that the passenger air bag is slightly ejected. I have gone to automotive shops and even a chrysler dealership, and both inform me that the airbags for this particular car are no longer made. I need help on how to fix this problem to ensure the safety of my passengers. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side seat belts were locked and could not be released. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages was approximately 152,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle causing it to spin several times. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 200,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. While driving at unknown speeds, the driver blacked out due to a medical condition. In doing so, he unknowingly depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle proceeded to crash into a building. The vehicle was destroyed. Upon impact, the rear windows were blown out due to the severity of the crash. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed accordingly. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The manufacturer stated that an investigator would inspect the vehicle further and upon doing so, found it unusual that the air bags did not deploy due to the severity of front-end damage. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. The contact observed that the driver and passenger front automatic shoulder belt retractors were inoperative. The malfunction does not allow the webbing to be extracted. The shoulder and lap belt can not be worn by the occupants in the front driver and passenger seats. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunctions and there was no resolution. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. Both the failure and the current mileage were 152,200.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger and driver's side seat belts would not retract. The occupants are insufficiently protected in the event of a crash. The dealer stated that the seat belt timing control module needed to be replaced at the cost of $150. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 121,000.
Compare the 1997 Chrysler Sebring
Other model years
19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Questions about the 1997 Chrysler Sebring
Is the 1997 Chrysler Sebring reliable?
Owners have filed 210 complaints about the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, 1.8 times a typical Sebring model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chrysler Sebring?
Brakes, with 32 complaints. Next is transmission (29).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring have?
5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, suspension and power train.
What year does the Chrysler Sebring have bad brakes?
The Chrysler Sebring model years with the most brakes complaints are 1996 (54 complaints), 1995 (35 complaints) and 1998 (35 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring get?
Official estimates for the 1997 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 1997 Chrysler Sebring?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history