Air bag light came on as I was pulling out of a parking lot. Turning the steering wheel, it made a bit of a crunching sound. Light stayed on; sound happened whenever steerting wheel turned. Called mechanic and was told the car is unsafe to drive as the air bag may deploy. Further diagnostic revealed the need for a replacement clock spring for the air bag which is an expensive repair but the car was deemed too unsafe to drive as it is. Some time back, I was hearing a squeaking while turning the wheels very slowly and thought it was a tire issue, but nothing appeared to be a problem there.
2001 Chrysler Sebring: airbag warning light
11 of the 242 complaints about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 95,195
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
Started the vehicle and the air bag light lite up and I heard a chime, after about 15 seconds it went off and then kept repeating this cycle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH and the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. In addition, the cruise control and horn failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to a defective clock spring and could result in the air bags not properly deploying. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. There was a technical service bulletin, item number 082700, pertaining to the air bag failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on a consistent basis. When the horn was engaged it failed to function. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the clock spring. The failure and current mileage was approximately 109,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Bought used in 2007 sebring 2001 at 87k miles. At round 95k, while pulling out of parking space, heard cracking noise in steering wheel..resulting in no horn, air bag light cont illuminated so can't tell if there's a problem, and no cruise control. Took car to private dealer and diagnosed clock spring, but chrysler says its not under recall protection any longer!!! Crazy, I know! Also, since purchase have many probs with electrical dash probs ie flashing on/dimming and radio just turning off...also not covered! And had strange humming noise since purchase while driving...finally found out what it was and had to replace both front hubs. All of these safety issues seem to be a continuing prob with other drivers as per the complaints I've read here at least as far back as I read (thru 2006). Why is chrysler not being made to rectify at least the air bag (clock spring) issue they already admitted to???? Really kind of the same thing with the elect issues too, but I kind of understand poss issues with that after so many miles. Would really like help/advice on how to make chrysler take responsibility for that expensive clockspring/air bad issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop to have the shock absorber replaced and the mechanic noticed that the air bag light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The day before, the contact made a right turn in the vehicle and heard a crackling noise accompanied by the air bag light illuminating. The failure and current mileages were 64,000. Updated 9/3/09 *cn the consumer stated chrysler authorized the repair to replace the clockspring, but she was charged $155.00. Updated 09/04/09.
Heard something rip or break inside steering wheel when pulling out of a parking space, followed by the air bag light turning on. No problems with steering, but fear a costly repair for the air bag and or clock spring mechanism. Had to replace hub bearings 3 times.
Clockspring: I have a 2001 chrysler sebring and my airbag light is illuminated, therefore my airbag will not work. My horn and cruise control will not work either.
I had to slam on my brakes and had a passenger in the car with me. Nothing deployed...but the airbag light came on the next day...well I took it to dinovos and they said the passenger seat belt pre tensioner was open...cleaned it and greased it and the light went off...if I was in an actual wreck..would I have had an airbag..that is the question of the day.
December of 2002 - rear window defogger quit. Wire connector came loose from rear window. Could not be repaired. Window had to be replaced to fix problem. May of 2004 - air bag indicator came on and chime sounded. Sensor or some sort replaced at an expense of over $300.00 june of 2005 - repeat or above problem. Appointment to bring car in for servicing on june 28th. June of 2005 - repeat of rear window defogger. Item has not worked for months. I have run a report on mycarstats.com and have found both of these problems with other owners of this model. Appears we have a problem here. I should not have had to pay for the air bag problem the first time and I certainly shouldn't have to pay next week when I bring it in for servicing.
Airbag/clockspring failure. Was in front end crash at 25-30mph and airbags did not go off. This was on 06-26-04 got the car fix at earnhardt auto body a five star dealer. On 10-09-04 the airbag light came on. So I took it back they said they would call my insurance to see if they would cover the work. They would if it was from the crash. The computer showed no error code so I had to pay. Body shop said they can't fix I would have to take to service.but the tech at body said it was a bad clockspring. So on 10-11-04 I took to service and they told me they would have to do a diagnostic which I had just paid for at there body shop. I told them this but this did'nt matter.but I need my car getting to work. So I let them keep it for a diagnostic. A few hours later they called and said it was a bad clockspring and it would cost about $481.00. Because my warranty was up in time not miles. Was up by abot a month and week or two. I ask them if this was a safety concern and they no. Call for more info on this story.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
- Risk
- If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 16V401000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
- Risk
- If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
Recall number 15V338000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which may not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.
- Risk
- A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.
Recall number 00V306000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
11 of 242 owner complaints about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring (5%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
There are 3 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring
Engine failure 41Knocking 16Stalling 16Ball joint 15No deployment 9Adaptive cruise 5Grinding brakes 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5Transmission failure 5
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