Chrysler Sebring Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chrysler Sebring options? We analyzed 10 model years (2001–2010) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Chrysler Sebring? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chrysler Sebring has 1,936 owner complaints and 53 safety recalls across model years 2001–2010. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2008 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chrysler
- Model
- Sebring
- Model years analyzed
- 2001–2010 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,936
- Safety recall campaigns
- 53
- Crash-related complaints
- 143
- Fire-related complaints
- 68
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2008 (352 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (45 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chrysler Sebring: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHRYSLER SEBRING has 1,936 NHTSA complaints and 53 recalls on record. 143 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,936 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 53 federal recall campaigns
- 143 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
53 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2001–2010. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,936 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,936 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission was shifted to drive (D), and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no trouble code was retrieved. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V528000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V047000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000.
DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT COME ON AT ALL AND AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR A FINE
WHILE DRIVE THE CAR LOSES POWER AND WILL STALL AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF, WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY AND DRIVE FINE AGAIN CAN NOT IDLE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME LIKE AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN CAUSE WHEN YOU ACCELERATE YOU WILL HAVE NO POWER AND HAVE TO TRY TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD SO YOU DON'T GET HIT, TOOK TO MECHANIC SAID PCM PROBLEM THAT IT NEEDED A NEW PCM, LOOKED UP PCM PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR YEAR AND MAKE AND MODEL AND THERE IS A RECALL BUT WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN IT'S NOT ONE OF THEM BUT MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED FOR THE RECALL ON THE 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING PCM RECALL NOT SURE WHY MINE IS NOT INCLUDED! THE GUY THAT OWNED THE VEHICLE HAD THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THE CAR HAD BEEN PARK SINCE 2014 ONLY DRIVEN IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY CAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS AS THE CAR WILL STALL ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH
THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALOT AND I WOULD GIGGLE THE WIRE TO GET THEM TO FULLY TURN ON. THEN THAT STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT ROUTES OF TRYING TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT NOTHING WILL. IT CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN DURING THE DAY NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND STARTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REMAINED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED TO TOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON OUTTA NOWHERE, VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN A ACCIDENT EITHER. TURNS ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BATTER FOR THE PAST YEAR AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO STOP THE ISSUE BUT SOMETHING IS CONSTANLY MAKING MY VEHICLE GO DEAD. THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT IS THAT THE SEAT WILL NOT GO DOWN AND I'VE TRIED TO GET THAT FIX BUT T I WAS TOLD THAT ITS A PART I NEED TO PURCHASE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED LEE AUTO MALL AT 207-784-5441 (LOCATED AT 765 CENTER ST, AUBURN, ME 04210) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
TAKATA RECALL MY DASH LIGHTS DON'T WORK AND I CAN'T SEE HOW FAST I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT TIME.
ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON EXPRESS WAY. ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK STARTER WILL NOT TURN ENGINE. HAPPEN THREE TIMES IN SIX MONTH PERIOD. SAFETY ISSUES.
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO BE CHECKED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND RESET THE LIGHT. A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY ARE WORKING TO FIND THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND A SENSOR BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE READER SAID TO DO BUT THE CAR IS STILL DYING AND HAS REDUCED SPEED.
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 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN EXCESSIVELY. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
NOISE IN FRONT END. RACK AND PINION STEERING. BEEN HEARING THIS FOR A FEW YEARS. FINALLY HAVE A MECHANIC WHO CAN FIX IT. MORE LOUD AS IT DRIVES. CAN FEEL A THUMP AND KNOCKING NOISE. THOUGHT IT WAS TIRE RODS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE AND FELL INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE 1ST REPAIR WAS MADE BY MIDAS ON 02/17/16 AND 2ND WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BY POWER UP AUTO ON 3/22/16. *TR
THE 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING HORN STARTS TO BLOW AT ALL HOURS AND I HAVE TO GO OUT AND HIT THE HORN PAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD IT GO OFF IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST HAD A GUY IN A ROAD RAGE SITUATION UNTIL I TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HORN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY FOR SURE. I SEE WHERE THERE ARE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND UNABLE TO TURN, RACK AND PINIONS ARE DEFECTIVE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS A LOTS OF CHRYSLER SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. *TR
Showing 20 of 1,936 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chrysler Sebring
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chrysler Sebring, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chrysler Sebring has 1,936 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chrysler Sebring has 53 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 143 of the Chrysler Sebring's 1,936 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chrysler Sebring vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chrysler Sebring vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chrysler Sebring has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Chrysler Sebring by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chrysler Sebring.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chrysler Sebring reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chrysler Sebring reliable?
Poor. The Chrysler Sebring has 1,936 NHTSA owner complaints and 53 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chrysler Sebring years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2008 (352 complaints), 2007 (339 complaints), 2004 (291 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chrysler Sebring problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (438 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (314 complaints); AIR BAGS (310 complaints).
Does the Chrysler Sebring have recalls?
Yes — 53 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chrysler Sebring. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.