Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Chrysler Sebring Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
210Complaints
11Recalls
37Crashes
4Fires
21Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (8.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 18 · 8.6% | Recalled | Recall 98V183000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 15 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 02V186000 |
| Air Bags | 11 · 5.2% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 10 · 4.8% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 10 · 4.8% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 210 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 11 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 07E055000 · 2007 · reported 07/26/2007
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 06E091000 · 2006 · reported 11/02/2006
FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 06E088000 · 2006 · reported 10/23/2006
FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 02V186000 · 2002 · reported 07/08/2002
THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
NHTSA campaign 00V421002 · 2000 · reported 12/18/2000
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
NHTSA campaign 97V201000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997
SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
NHTSA campaign 99I004000 · 1999 · reported 05/06/1999
IF THE COVER SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
NHTSA campaign 97V081002 · 1997 · reported 08/08/1997
THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
NHTSA campaign 98V183000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHY WOULD THE TRANSMISSION START TO FAIL AT 58K MILES, NEVER BEFORE HAS THIS HAPPENED WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED.”NHTSA complaint 708688 — filed 07/16/1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chrysler Sebring?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 210 NHTSA complaints (8.6%), followed by air bags:frontal (15), vehicle speed control (13), air bags (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring have?
210 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 37 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Chrysler Sebring have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Chrysler Sebring's reported problems?
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
