VehicleVerdict

1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible is among the quieter years of the Sebring Convertible on NHTSA's books: 61 complaints (37% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (9), suspension (9), and steering (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

61

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Sebring Convertible years?

Sebring Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sebring Convertible years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission915%
Suspension915%
Steering813%
Body & Structure711%
Brakes610%
Electrical System610%
Visibility & Wipers35%
Other35%
Seat Belts35%
Airbags23%
Engine23%
Tires & Wheels12%
Speed Control12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 1998 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.

“MY WIFE'S 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WAS PARKED IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT ON U.S. ROUTE 130N, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND MOVED THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER TOWARD "D". SHE HAD PARKED FACING THE LANE BETWEEN THE PARKING SPACES SO SHE COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 14, 2004 · crash

“I OWN A 1998 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WHICH I HAVE MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD BY FIRESTONE THAT IT NEEDS A NEW RACK AND PINION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SILENT RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION OF THESE VEHICLES.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 28, 2003

“AFTER EXPLAINING TO MY MECHANIC THAT MY FRONT END WAS RUBBING AND GRINDING AT A SPEED OF 40 AND ABOVE, AND THAT IT WAS WORSE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR BEARING LEFT, WHILE BEARING RIGHT THE RUBBING AND GRINDING LESSENED A LOT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT HE REPLACED FRONT BRAKES & BALANCED WHEELS. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 1, 2007 · crash · fire

“(1) RAINED (2) CARS PANELS AND INTERIOR RETAINING AND FILLING UP WITH WATER (3) CANNOT FIND LEAK, ANOTHER OWNER OF SAME MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM DRILLED HOLES IN THE ROCKER PANEL TO RELEASE WATER - DID NOT RELEASE OR RESOLVE. HAVING TO SCOOP OUT WATER AND WET-VAC DAILY. CAUSING MILDEW,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 7, 2003

“FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS OCT - 2001, BLEW IGNITION FUSE , THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED STARTER AND FUSES PER DIAGNOSES FROM DEALER(STARTER DRAWING EXCESS AMPS CAUSING IGNITION FUSES TO BLOW). MARCH 2003 , IGNITION FUSE STARTED TO BLOW AGAIN. REPLACED FUSES ABOUT SIX TIMES IN ABOUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2003

1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible — common questions

Is the 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 61 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sebring Convertible year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Sebring Convertible problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (9 complaints), suspension (9 complaints), steering (8 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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 1998 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.