VehicleVerdict

1996 Chrysler Sebring transmission problems

The 1996 Chrysler Sebring has 55 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

55

Transmission complaints

11%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

98V183000TransmissionAugust 6, 1998 · 685,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

What owners report

1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING HAS PROBLEMS WITH ROOF LEAKING, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSAXLES FLOOR SHIFTER/PARK INTERLOCK WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO HIT NINE CARS AND BE EJECTED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PARK /NEUTRAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?

NHTSA has 55 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring transmission — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V183000.

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.