1996 Chrysler Sebring problems & reliability
343 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
24 complaints report injuries (25 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1996 Chrysler Sebring vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 70 | 20% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 52 | 15% |
| Power Train | 47 | 14% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 39 | 11% |
| Structure | 39 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 37 | 11% |
| Air Bags | 31 | 9% |
| Visibility | 28 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 16 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 76,850 miles (middle 50% between 50,141 and 101,500 miles), based on 34 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I was driving my car & listening to music. All of a sudden my passenger side dash speaker started smoking, then was shooting fire. I had a Bubbler drink & splashed it across the dash onto the speaker. It was scary, as I thought my engine might blow up. I took it to the shop, but they were so busy, it sat for a week, &…”
Electrical System · filed Oct 28, 2022
“I was driving on the highway; all of a sudden my right dash speaker started on fire. I had a Bubbler in my vehicle, so I used that to put it out. Since then, my radio no longer works, nor does mileage show & gas gauge fluctuates, & cannot tell when it is actually empty.”
Electrical System · filed Jun 20, 2022
“Air bag light goes off and on when starting and driving then the gages on the dashboard stop working. Sometimes just the red air bag light goes and the dials still work. When the red air bag light goes off usually the dials come back within 10 minites or 5 miles.”
Air Bags · filed Oct 1, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
Preliminary Evaluation PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003
- LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
Recall Query RQ00015 · opened Aug 2, 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2001 · led to recall 99V066004
- AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK
Engineering Analysis EA98014 · opened May 29, 1998 · closed Sep 14, 1998 · led to recall 98V183000
- CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT
Engineering Analysis EA97025 · opened Nov 24, 1997 · closed Nov 17, 1998 · led to recall 99I004000
- CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT
Preliminary Evaluation PE97029 · opened Jun 17, 1997 · closed Nov 24, 1997
Technical service bulletins
121 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
0807317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2017
Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing part…
23027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 23, 2016
05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See attachments for identifying…
23104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See…
23137 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1996 Chrysler Sebring has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 76,850 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.