VehicleVerdict

1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible sits mid-pack among Sebring Convertible years: 99 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 97, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (18), speed control (11), and body & structure (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

99

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

11

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Sebring Convertible years?

Sebring Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted175 complaints1996: 99 complaints1997: 98 complaints1998: 61 complaints1999: 136 complaints2000: 97 complaints2001: 145 complaints2002: 175 complaints2003: 41 complaints2004: 73 complaints2005: 62 complaints
Sebring Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sebring Convertible years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1818%
Speed Control1111%
Body & Structure99%
Suspension88%
Transmission88%
Brakes88%
Steering77%
Seat Belts77%
Fuel System44%
Other44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Engine33%
Airbags33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Lighting22%

Does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E059000SuspensionDecember 27, 2010 · 22,689 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

09E056000SuspensionOctober 9, 2009 · 5,787 units

Defect

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

04V021000TransmissionJanuary 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNMODIFIED! WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, I HEARD A POP (LIKE A BALLOON POPPING) AND SMOKE AND FLAME BURST FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED FIRE BEGAN IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL LINE AND SPREAD INTO THE DASHBOARD. POSSIBLE CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING ARC WHICH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 26, 2008 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH, AND LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE TRAFFIC BARRIERS APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ACCELERATOR CABLE FRAYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION /…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 30, 2001 · crash

“DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, ABS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALER 4 TIMES. STILL NOT FIXED, LEAKS WATER, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH DOOR LOCKS AND LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF, AND LIGHTER ALSO PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, STILL A PROBLEM, BRAKES AND ROTORS MUST BE CHANGED ONCE A YEAR,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 5, 1999 · crash

“VEHICLE ROLL BACK OCCURRED WHEN GEAR SHIFT WAS KNOCKED OUT OF PARK.*MR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT STICK AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS.*TS (THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE) *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“WHILE MERGING INTO THE INTERSTATE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED OFF FROM THE A- FRAME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NO LUBRICATION/GREASE BETWEEN THE SEATING OF THE BALL JOINTS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 18, 2004

1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible — common questions

Is the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sebring Convertible: 99 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1996 Sebring Convertible problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), speed control (11 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler Sebring Convertible years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sebring Convertible years to avoid are 2002. The cleanest record among Sebring Convertible years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.