1997 Chrysler Sebring Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1997 Chrysler Sebring, and owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l v6 engines, the throttle control cable can fray causing the throttle to bind or stick.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable assembly. Owner notification began august 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
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Suspension: lower ball joint
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.
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…
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Park/neutral start interlock switch (power train)
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…
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.
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Suspension: lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. If the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the…
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Head restraint (seats)
The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Chrysler Sebring have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA; 37 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 21 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 96,080 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 39 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, he was rear-ended by a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the driver clai”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 21, 2022 · Service brakes
“Fire in right front dash area( passenger side) to the right of the air bag. Broke/melted front window/wiper blade, burned a 12" square hole in the dash. While driving the vehicle the driver smelt some”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 19, 2015 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring (Sebring Convertible). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–19 / 24–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/2.4/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Chrysler Sebring model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chrysler Sebring model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 1997 Chrysler Sebring
How do I know if my 1997 Chrysler Sebring has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1997 Chrysler Sebring; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chrysler dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V421002).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chrysler models
- Town and Country13,517 complaints
- Pacifica7,008 complaints
- 3004,925 complaints
- 2004,187 complaints
- Pt Cruiser2,524 complaints
- Concorde2,217 complaints
- 300C1,258 complaints
- Lhs968 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.