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1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems

28 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 140,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
28
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
140,000
crashes
4
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Front: control arm
    6
  • Front: control arm: lower ball joint
    5
  • Front
    5
  • Rear
    4
  • Front: control arm: upper ball joint
    3
  • Front: control arm: lower arm
    2
  • Front: springs: air suspension system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chrysler Sebring suspension problems in other years

1995200020052010

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 14

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 393,796 vehicles affected
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 jointReported November 13, 1997 · 599,000 vehicles affected
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

What 1997 Chrysler Sebring owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2015 · Suspension · 208,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that the front driver's side lower ball joints failed while pulling out of a parking space. The dealer stated that the ball joints were repaired in 1998 according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v201000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). In addition, the vehicle was previously repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v421002 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) in 2000. The contact did not remember the first recall repair; however, it is in the system as being repaired by the dealer. He believes that the repair was never performed, but was documented as completed in order to get paid by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2007 · Suspension · 161,325 miles · CO · crash

While driving down a side road at 15 MPH, after going through the 2nd of 2 small dips, the front ball joint broke on the 1997 sebring and the car stopped. We got out, saw front wheel turned out at sharp angle, the right front of car dropped. Sheridan police drove by,we made an accident report. After having the car towed 2 blocks, the ins. Co. Was called we contacted phil long chrysler in littleton co. To find price on the part. They asked for VIN number and determined there was recall on that vehicle. They said car was fixed once under recall, they wanted to see it. We had it towed there. Bernie said they would at least fix the ball joint. They estimated the damage and called district rep to come see the car. We were called and told district rep said no, they would not fix the car under the recall. We also owed them $100 (diagnostics).we were told by service manager, scott vansickle, there was nothing they could do. The car was 10 years old, had 160,000 miles. [recalled part was fixed at 20,000 miles in 1998.] decision was made by the district rep. And, besides, those parts wear out. I asked for name and number of district rep - chris g. At 1‑800‑992‑1997. I called, was told by alex, after much referral with his supervisor, that car had already been fixed and there was nothing they could do. I told him I wanted to speak with district rep, chris g, he said he was not at that number, they didn't have a district rep there, I needed to go through dealer for that. I asked him for his name, alex, and supervisor's name,ryan.chrysler's rep, ( chris g.) has offered to do absoluteley nothing to remedy this problem and is unwillling to do anything. I am lucky I was going slow and noone was hurt.this accident could have happened at 65 MPH on the freeway and the 3 of us could have been killed. I find it appalling that chrysler claims no responsibility for the fault of this part.

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Suspension · 73,000 miles · MI

Dt: consumer was aware of manufacturer's recall, 967 issued on may 16, 2001. Consumer stated that this recall repairs were never done. On june 23, 2005 she was traveling, through saint clareshores, michigan on i94, got off at exit and made a right turn and vehicle came to a dead stop. Right front tire went into wheel well, which did a lot of body damage. From there mechanic had vehicle towed to garage at waterford auto, in waterford, michigan. Mechanic then called chrysler to find that there was a recall 967 on part that broke. Consumer did not receive a notice, her ex-husband received the notice. Mechanic had vehicle towed to clarkston chrysler 8105 big lake road, po box 1015, clarkston, michigan 48347. Dealer looked at vehicle and said there was a recall, but they needed an investigator from chrysler to look at vehicle. Investigator came out on july 6, 2005. Consumer heard from manufacturer on july 19, 2005. They denied recall repairs because the part had already been replaced by someone else. However they did not have a record of it.

Filed May 19, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 81,350 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

On april 23, 2005, my son was traveling to work, about 12:30 in the afternoon, traveling westbound on the 210 freeway. At some point, his left rear tire went flat. His car lost control and spun counterclockwise, across four lanes of traffic, and head on into the center divider. His car continued to spin in the same dirrection and impacted again at the right rear quarterpanel, and the right rear bumper. My son got out of the car, and the chp arrived within ten minutes to have his car towed. I contacted daimler chrysler to let them know what happened and to express my concern. They sent an inspector to the salvage yard. Two weeks later I got a letter from chrysler saying that their recalled upper ball joint had nothing to do with the crash. I had a mechanic examine the vehicle, he had it lifted up with a forklift, and showed me the rack and pinion that was dangling down on the passenger side. He said that since there was no structural damage to the rest of the undercarraige, the broken steering was what caused my son's car to spin out of control, and crash into the median, injuring him, and threatening the other commuters.

Filed Feb 14, 2005 · Suspension · OK

While pulling inside the parking lot vehicle collaspsed to the ground. Driver noticed that right side collasped,but the left side was normal. Driver had the vehicle towed to the residence, and then contacted a mechanic. The mechanic determined that the right upper ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Suspension · IL

While turning in either direction vehicle made a clicking noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who discovered that right front control arm was loose.

Filed Jul 2, 2003 · Suspension · IL

While traveling at 25 MPH steering became very difficult to steer, and made a strange noise. Took vehicle to mechanic, and the mechanic stated tha t lower lateral ball joint failed.

Filed Oct 30, 2002 · Suspension, Transmission · TX

While driving the front left ball joint separated causing the wheel to fall off and the vehicle to fall on front bumper and front right fender. Both the bumper and the fender were damaged.

Filed Dec 30, 2001 · Suspension · VA

Grinding noises in the steeriing when turning left or right.

Questions about the 1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension

Does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 140,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring suspension?

Yes, 2 recalls: 00V421002, 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).

Other 1997 Chrysler Sebring problems

Brakes 32Transmission 29Airbags 24Seat belts 23Engine 22Body 18Electrical 18Acceleration 16Visibility 14Wheels 14Steering 11Fuel system 6Tires 3Lights 2Seats 2Locks 1

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