VehicleVerdict

2005 Chrysler Sebring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Chrysler Sebring is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 107 owner complaints run below the Sebring median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (24), airbags (21), and engine (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

107

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Sebring years?

Sebring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sebring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Chrysler Sebring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2422%
Airbags2120%
Engine1514%
Transmission87%
Steering77%
Suspension77%
Brakes66%
Fuel System55%
Tires & Wheels44%
Other33%
Seat Belts33%
Speed Control22%
Body & Structure11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2005 Chrysler Sebring have recalls?

6 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.

04V579000SteeringDecember 9, 2004 · 26,354 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND CONVERTIBLE MODEL VEHICLES, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V532000Seat BeltsNovember 2, 2004 · 8,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE AFFECTED FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 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.

“I'VE WRITTEN TO YOU PEOPLE BEFORE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND A GIRL CALLED BACK AND SAID SHE'D CALL AGAIN BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE ARE SO BUSY. I NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD AND THAT WAS LAST FALL. THE HORN BUTTON IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS STOPPED WORKING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE A HORN TO WARN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 16, 2015

“THIS COMPLAINT IS ON BEHALF OF MY FATHER. ROBERT MULCAHY SR. HE OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING (TOURING) AUTO. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN NUMBER, BUT COULD GET IT. HE WAS JUST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT HAD HIM IMPACTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT OF HIS CAR AT OR AROUND 35-40 MPH. WE BOTH FIND IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 9, 2007 · crash

“SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A USED CHRYSLER SEBRING 2005 FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, A LARGE STREAM OF OIL BEGAN (AND CONTINUED) TO POUR OUT OF THE DRIVE SHAFT SEAL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD DRIVE SHAFT THAT HAD RUINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 12, 2013

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HER ELBOW STRUCK THE GEAR SHIFTER AND PLACED IT IN REVERSE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD AND STRUCK A HOUSE AND A PORCH. THE CONTACT ENTERED HER VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 16, 2009 · crash

“THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE ON THE CONSUMER'S 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *NM CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DEC 2004 AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD THE ACCIDENT. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 27, 2004 · crash

2005 Chrysler Sebring — common questions

Is the 2005 Chrysler Sebring reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 107 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sebring year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Sebring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), airbags (21 complaints), engine (15 complaints).

Does the 2005 Chrysler Sebring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Chrysler Sebring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.