The vehicle stalls and jerks back for up to 2 seconds. However, these two seconds can be very dangerous on a roadway as driving at high speeds it may cause an accident.
Chrysler Sebring jerking problems
39 of the 2,832 owner complaints about the Chrysler Sebring describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 39
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 59,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 11Check engine light 6Ball joint 3Transmission failure 2Sudden acceleration 2Premature wear 2Loss of power 2Hesitation 2
What owners say
Chryslers are known for their terrible transmissions, but this is our second chrysler sebring in this year range (same engine/trans models), both with the same issue. When shifting from or thru neutral, (eg. Reverse to drive), the transmission shifts so hard that it can lift the engine and snap a mount. This causes the car to make knocking noises when shifting (any gear), and causes the car to lurch in and out of gear, neutral, and park.
The car will stop suddenly while driving I've been told its an electrical issue in the transmission, but I see from the recalls that chrysler knows about these issues yet these cars are still been sold and driven even though they can have very dangerous consequences. The doors locks and unlocks on their own, the lights flicker. The car will also while in park jerk and rev as if someone is hitting the gas even though they are not, this also happens when in drive and my foot is on the break
While driving at highway speed, etc starting flashing check engine light came on, instant lost of power. Car jerking, RPM's up and down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler sebring. While driving various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle jerked forward and the electronic throttle failure warning indicator illuminated. The contact heard a grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The rear brakes would not operate correctly. There was corrosion in the trunk and around the rear driver side and passenger side doors. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the alternator replaced and the rear brakes needed adjustment. The electronic throttle issue was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had the alternator replaced and the brakes adjusted. The contact mentioned that the throttle issue has persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 40,000.
I was in a car accident yesterday.the brakes locked up on me.the steering wheel jerked & got stuck.I ended up htting 2 cars.I knew nothing about a recall.I've only had this car for 5 months.I have to loook online to find out there was a recall.I wnna know what is gonna be done about my situation?I'm very upset.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chrysler sebring. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk. As a result, the rear passenger who was eating began to choke. No medical attention was required. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced and the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns 2007 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions and the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact indicated that there was an electrical short within the vehicle. The instrument panel lights and gauges shorted out and failed to work on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster, the front passenger door switch and the passenger side rear door panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact continued to experience the vehicle jerking violently and then stalling intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 114,560.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that whenever driving between 10-20 MPH, the vehicle would jerk or hesitate abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that there were two recalls for the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 04v313000(fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) and the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v443000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump), but the contact's vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was 59,000.
I have a 2007 chrysler sebring touring. I bought it used in june 2010. Starting in sep 2010 it started having issues, (I.e., engine shut off at low speed or when gas tank was at 1/4 tank, engine would act as if was going to stall when sitting at a stop sign/light then would lurch forward suddenly, and brake light kept coming on). I had the o2 sensors replaced, engine light went out for a couple weeks and came back on. Mechanic then changed wiring harness. This time light was out for about a month or 2 but now will not turn off even though the mechanic couldn't find anything wrong with either the sensors or the wiring harness. Now they suggest replacing the engine brain which at this time is financially impossible for me. I took the car to a chrysler dealer shop when the airbag light cam on and I told the guy about all the issues. He pulled up the history and informed me the car's former owner had same shut off issues at 16k miles and had a new engine installed at 20k miles. Car is having the same issues that should have been resolved with new engine being put in. I've also had to have the brakes replaced after owning the car less than a year. I'm afraid the car shutting off on me is going to get me killed as I've just nearly missed getting into 2 accidents when the engine has shut off on me.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
- Risk
- This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 08V528000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. 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 01V011002 · 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
Questions about the Chrysler Sebring jerking
Which Chrysler Sebring years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (9 complaints), 2007 (8 complaints) and 2002 (4 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chrysler Sebring?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history