The 1998 Chrysler Sebring has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,106,323 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 357 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION00V4210022000-12-18393,796 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT…
POWER TRAIN98V1830001998-08-06685,000 affected
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…
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Consequence
THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
35
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
21
4crashes1fires4injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
16
15crashes9injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
14
2crashes
WHEELS:RIM
13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10
SUSPENSION
10
WHEELS
9
1crashes
STRUCTURE
8
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints357
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“On highway 69 I proceeded to passing a semi near craft road. After passing the semi I release my foot off of the throttle, but the car continued to accelerate. Finally at 102 mph bouncing my foot on and off the pedal with no change. When going into the corner I then bumped the transmission into…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring. While driving approximately 20 mph, the front driver side tire detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the lower ball joint and axle failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler sebring. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle could be restarted; however, after several attempts the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump…”
“I was going 55 miles per hour with cruise control set when I hit the brake my car started going faster and would not slow down I had to turn the key off and go into a field. *tr”
“Axel and ball joint went out on me after buying this car within 48 hours. *tr”
“I purchased a 1998 chrysler sebring lxi the car has numerous problems, one is the control arm in the vehicle. This is a list of other evac problems - I was told that there was a recall on my vehicle for various problems - please advice - need help - called chrysler dealerships and first they said…”
“I purchased a 1998 chrysler sebring lxi the car has numerous problems, one is the control arm in the vehicle. This is a list of other evac problems - I was told that there was a recall on my vehicle for various problems - please advice - need help - called chrysler dealerships and first they said…”
“I purchased a 1998 chrysler sebring lxi the car has numerous problems, one is the control arm in the vehicle. This is a list of other evac problems - I was told that there was a recall on my vehicle for various problems - please advice - need help - called chrysler dealerships and first they said…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA99028 Opened 1999-09-10 · closed 2001-07-26
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE00007 Opened 2000-02-02 · closed 2000-07-18
DOOR PANEL/GARNISH SEPARATION
ALLEGED THAT THE PLASTIC GARNISH PANELS MOUNTED ON DOORS DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTINGS, SOMETIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION
InvestigationPE02082 Opened 2002-11-06 · closed 2003-04-23
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS.…
InvestigationPE99030 Opened 1999-05-03 · closed 1999-09-10
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.