Check a VIN

1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems

21 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
95,000
crashes
2
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    10
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    5
  • Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
    1
  • Manual transmission: floor shift assembly
    1
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Driveline: differential unit
    1
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    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 transmission problems in other years

1995200020052010

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switchReported August 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles affected
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

What 1998 Chrysler Sebring owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · OH

Upon attempting to start the car, I had to put the car in neutral or jiggle the gear in park in order to start the car. I replaced the starter thinking that was why the car would not start. I was informed by several auto part stores that I would have to replace the neutral safety switch, had that replaced and the car still would not start. I had my car towed to ganley dodge to have them put the transmission back into my car, which cost me $70 plus $180 diagnostic. The ganley dodge gave me a quote of $3500 for a new transmission. That was not in my budget, I then had my car towed by transmission world to their shop, I explained to them the problems I was having with my car, prior to this I didn't have any problems with the transmission. It took transmission world a week before they could get the transmission out of the car, to have the transmission taken out and taken apart to find out what was wrong it cost me $2,037.00 for a 3 year warranty on a new transmission.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · FL

Consumer received recall 98v183000 for the shift interlock. Took vehicleto dealer, and was told upon her arrival, that recall repairs for had been performed in febuary 2005. Consumer had not taken vehicle to dealer prior to the incident date.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

Recall 98v183000 concerning ignition key shift interlock: after having recall repairs done on august 27, 2004 vehicle came out of park while parked at an incline. Vehicle rolled down through some tree line and landed in a ditch. 9 year old grand child , who was in the vehicle, sustained injuries to the neck, rib and both ankles, and was transported by an ambulance to a local hospital.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Transmission · PA

While driving vehicle down shifted on its own. Consumer was at an intersection and shifter would not move. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Transmission · MI

Consumer received a recall letter, dealing with the gear shift. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to have the recall fixed. However, gear shift could still be moved without the key being inside the ignition.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Steering · 66,944 miles · OH

I purchased this car on nov 2, 2003. When I purchased it, there was a rattling noise when you go over bumps, and also when the car goes up to 70 you could here a grinding like noise in (what I thought was the engine). They told me to go ahead and take the car and they scheduled me for service the following friday. When I brought the car in, they said they didn't work on chryslers and sent the car to tuffy. When it was time to pick up the car, the guy tore up the bill of service and said you're all set, so I really don't know what was done. When I asked for a copy he said he didn't have it, but could it order it for me. When I drove home, the rattling noise under the front left side was gone, but when I got off the freeway and tried to make a left turn, the car pulled away in the opposite direction and didn't want to turn. I almost ran into a tree. I called and told them about it, so they had me bring it in that following monday for service. When I picked it up again, they said they had to replace the bearings, that the bearings were bad. As I drove off the lot and onto the freeway, you could hear a grinding noise under your feet as the wheels turned and also anytime you tried to apply pressure to the brakes, the car would grind like the there was something going on between the wheels, brakes and steering. I waited 3 days to make sure it wasn't just me. But what appeared in the beginning to be a slight grinding when you get up to a certain speed evolved into a problem that was much worse. A problem that you could here more consistently, every time you applied pressure to the brakes, or just sometimes driving along the streets you could hear the grinding in the wheels, like something had rusted or gone bad, which caused the car to drive hard. It took a lot more power to accelerate, so much so that it feels like the overdrive doesn?t work (it takes that much power to get the car going, and it wasn?t that way before.

Filed Jan 7, 2004 · Brakes, Transmission · 46,000 miles · MD

Transmission and brakes are terrible. Brakes shake and shudder and barely stop the car. Transmission humss and shifts badly

Filed Dec 20, 2002 · Transmission · 112,325 miles · CA

I am the owner of a 1998 chrysler sebring, and recently have had problems with the transmission (automatic) not shifting correctly. We took the vehicle in to have it checked out and the shop said that this is a common problem with this vehicle. They said that when the ect module inside the transmission goes bad, it causes the whole transmission to burn out. We took the vehicle to the local chrysler dealer to get a second opinion and they too confirmed that the transmission had gone bad, due to the module going out. My boyfriend works in the automotive parts business and he talked to a few shops about this vehicle and they all said that this is a common problem for the chrysler sebring. The vehicle has about 112k miles. We were quoted 3k to repair the vehicle at the chrysler dealer. Ts

Filed Aug 26, 2002 · Transmission · MI

This vehicle is (20) days beyond recall scope. The federal safety agency recall 98v183000, ignition key shift interlock; with no key in the ignition, a child was able to move the gear shift which allowed vehicle to move. The vehicle rolled into someone elses driveway hitting a tree. Manufacture not claiming any responsiblity eventhough vehicle is exhibiting same failure. Please describe details

Filed Sep 19, 2001 · Transmission · PA

Started car, with foot on brake went from park to reverse to neutral to drive. When car went into drive it raced out of control. Resulting in hitting the other vehicle

Questions about the 1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission

Does the 1998 Chrysler Sebring have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the transmission of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Chrysler Sebring transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V183000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chrysler Sebring have bad transmission?

The Chrysler Sebring model years with the most transmission complaints are 2008 (48 complaints), 1996 (47 complaints) and 2007 (40 complaints).

Other 1998 Chrysler Sebring problems

Body 65Brakes 35Suspension 26Acceleration 23Wheels 22Engine 21Airbags 19Electrical 16Visibility 16Tires 14Steering 13Seat belts 11Fuel system 9Locks 7Lights 3Seats 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1998 Chrysler Sebring?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history