VehicleVerdict

2003 Chrysler Sebring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2003 Chrysler Sebring is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 53 owner complaints run below the Sebring median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (9), suspension (8), and airbags (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

53

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sebring years?

Sebring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted534 complaints1995: 229 complaints1996: 481 complaints1997: 295 complaints1998: 357 complaints1999: 231 complaints2000: 141 complaints2001: 322 complaints2002: 261 complaints2003: 53 complaints2004: 304 complaints2005: 107 complaints2006: 181 complaints2007: 534 complaints2008: 388 complaints2009: 64 complaints2010: 140 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints
Sebring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sebring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Chrysler Sebring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine917%
Suspension815%
Airbags713%
Brakes611%
Body & Structure48%
Lighting36%
Tires & Wheels36%
Speed Control36%
Steering36%
Electrical System36%
Transmission24%
Seat Belts12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2003 Chrysler Sebring have recalls?

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

15V338000AirbagsJune 2, 2015 · 443,442 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Consequence

If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

03V443000Fuel SystemNovember 4, 2003 · 5,911 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“START CAR, WHEN IN IDLE IT SHUTS OFF WITH IN A FEW SECONDS OF HITTING GAS NOW. IT USE TO IDLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO REV A LITTLE SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE BIT TODAY TO BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE OF ROAD LIKE LAST WEEK. WHY IS MY CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 3, 2015

“2003 SEBRING REAR MOUNT ASSEMBLY FOR STRUT CRUMBLED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING BANGING NOISE IN REAR PASSENGERS SIDE. WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THAT THOUSANDS OF REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. WAS TOLD THAT PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS DUE TO MAKING THEM OUT OF STEEL AS THE ORIGINAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 1, 2008

“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND CHEMICAL CONTENT CAME OUT ONTO DRIVER'S FACE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 2, 2003 · crash

“DT CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. *TT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN. *TT *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 21, 2005 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 SEBRING LXI AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR HOUSE ON A SUN. MORNING HEADING BACK TO COLLEGE. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND ONLY THE CENTER ROAD BED IS TAR AND THE SHOULDER IS GRAVEL. SHE WENT SLIGHTLY INTO SHOULDER AND SAID SOMETHING UNUSUAL HAPPENED AS SHE COULD NOT STEER AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 17, 2008 · crash

2003 Chrysler Sebring — common questions

Is the 2003 Chrysler Sebring reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 53 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sebring year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2003 Sebring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (9 complaints), suspension (8 complaints), airbags (7 complaints).

Does the 2003 Chrysler Sebring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Chrysler Sebring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Chrysler Sebring under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Chrysler Sebring years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sebring years to avoid are 2007, 1996, 2008, 1998. The cleanest record among Sebring years belongs to 2013.

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.