Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Sebring vs Toyota Camry
How the Chrysler Sebring and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chrysler Sebring vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the Sebring had 1,936 complaints, 53 recalls, and 7 deaths, while the Camry had 2,143 complaints, 31 recalls, and 1 death. The Sebring's complaints often involve stalling and air bag issues; the Camry's include transmission and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Sebring or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring is a mid-size car that can be affordable to buy but may come with frequent repair needs. Over 10 years, owners filed 1,936 complaints, with electrical problems, engine stalling, and air bag issues among the most common. The high number of recalls (53) and crash-related complaints (143) suggests that some failures could happen while driving. If you are considering one, budget for potential electrical and engine repairs and check for open recalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular mid-size sedan known for dependability, but it is not trouble-free. In 10 years, owners filed 2,143 complaints, slightly more per year than the Sebring, with power train, engine, and brake issues reported. Recalls are much lower at 31, and there was only 1 death reported compared to 7 for the Sebring. Still, complaints include sudden acceleration, transmission grinding, and brake problems, so a thorough inspection is wise.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Sebring | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,936 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 53 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 143 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 193.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 134 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 7 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chrysler Sebring
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM438
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING314
- 03AIR BAGS310
- 04POWER TRAIN227
- 05ENGINE164
Owners report dashboard lights flashing erratically, loss of power, and stalling while driving. One complaint described the car stalling at 55 mph after all indicator lights flashed. This can be dangerous and may point to a computer or wiring fault that is hard to diagnose.
Complaints include the engine stalling without warning, sometimes after braking, and failing to restart. A 2009 Sebring owner reported stalling at 25-30 mph and needing a tow. Stalling in traffic increases crash risk and often requires costly repairs.
Owners report air bag warning lights staying on or beeping, and in one case the air bag deployed without a crash. There are also recalls for passenger-side air bag inflators. A faulty air bag may not protect you in a crash or could injure you if it deploys unexpectedly.
Some complaints describe the car losing power and stalling, similar to electrical issues. One owner reported the deck light coming on and the trunk opening while driving. Power train problems can leave you stranded and are often expensive to fix.
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALL BEGAN TO FLASH ERRATICALLY. THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN STALLED WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO REMAIN IN CONTROL. S…”
“I TOOK MY SEBRING IN FOR BRAKES AND THEY PUT NEW PADS ON. THEY ASK IF I WANTED AN OIL CHANGE. I DIDN'T NEED ONE SO THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE THE COMPUTER TO TAKE THE REMINDER OFF. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER, MY RADIO NO LONGER WORKED. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission damage. One complaint mentioned a 2021 Camry needing a transmission replacement, with parts on backorder. Transmission repairs are costly and can take weeks.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration, in one case leading to a crash. Another owner reported a coolant valve issue that was covered by a recall for some Camrys but not their VIN. Sudden acceleration is a serious safety concern.
Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills or when braking gently. One driver had to take evasive action to avoid a crash. Brake failure is extremely dangerous and should be checked immediately.
Complaints include air conditioning problems, such as a condenser damaged by a rock and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These are usually comfort issues but can be expensive to repair and may indicate poor design.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chrysler Sebring — 53 recalls
The defect: 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 passen…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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 custom…
The defect: 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, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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 custom…
The defect: 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, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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 custom…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler Sebring or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer issues per year (214.3 complaints) than the Chrysler Sebring (193.6 complaints), but the Sebring has far more recalls (53 vs 31) and more crash-related complaints (143 vs 181) and deaths (7 vs 1). In practice, the Camry may have fewer serious safety-related failures, but both need careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Chrysler Sebring has 53 recalls, including multiple for passenger-side air bag inflators, while the Toyota Camry has 31 recalls, mostly for seats and labels.
- Sebring owners frequently report stalling and electrical glitches, while Camry owners more often report transmission grinding and brake failure.
- The Sebring has 7 reported deaths and 134 injuries in 10 years, compared to 1 death and 163 injuries for the Camry.
- Camry complaints include sudden acceleration and brake problems, while Sebring complaints include air bag warning lights and unintended deployment.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: flickering dashboard lights, radio not working, or warning lights that stay on. These can indicate a failing computer or wiring.
- Test drive at highway speeds and brake firmly to see if the engine stalls or the brakes fail to respond, as owners reported stalling and brake failure.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front during acceleration, which may indicate transmission problems that require replacement.
- Test the brakes on a hill or during gentle braking to ensure they respond; some owners reported the pedal going to the floor with no braking.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle's recall history and confirm all open recalls have been fixed, especially air bag inflators on the Sebring and seat or label recalls on the Camry.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds, braking on a hill, and accelerating from a stop to check for stalling, brake failure, or transmission grinding.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and engine computer on the Sebring, and the transmission and brakes on the Camry.
- Check for warning lights on the dashboard, especially air bag and check engine lights, and ask if they have been diagnosed.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues apply.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chrysler Sebring or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Sebring vs Toyota Camry
- Chrysler Sebring total complaints
- 1,936
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chrysler Sebring total recalls
- 53
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chrysler Sebring avg complaints/year
- 193.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Sebring
- Chrysler Sebring top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN