Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1996 Chrysler Sebring Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint — runs 2.0× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
343Complaints
12Recalls
41Crashes
10Fires
25Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint (12.2% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint | 42 · 12.2% | Recalled | Recall 00V421002 · Recall 97V201000 · Recall 99V066003 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 25 · 7.3% | not available | — |
| Structure:body:roof And Pillars | 20 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 99I004000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 18 · 5.2% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 17 · 5% | Recalled | Recall 98V183000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 16 · 4.7% | Recalled | Recall 96V123000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 343 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 12 campaigns
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 07E055000 · 2007 · reported 07/26/2007
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 06E091000 · 2006 · reported 11/02/2006
FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 06E088000 · 2006 · reported 10/23/2006
FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 02V186000 · 2002 · reported 07/08/2002
THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
NHTSA campaign 00V421002 · 2000 · reported 12/18/2000
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices
NHTSA campaign 97V015000 · 1997 · reported 02/10/1997
THIS CAN RESULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT CIRCUIT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
NHTSA campaign 97V201000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997
SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
NHTSA campaign 99I004000 · 1999 · reported 05/06/1999
IF THE COVER SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
NHTSA campaign 96V123000 · 1996 · reported 07/02/1996
A DISCONNECTED VACUUM HOSE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST DURING BRAKE APPLICATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
NHTSA campaign 98V183000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
NHTSA campaign 99V066003 · 1999 · reported 04/05/1999
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE,CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF PRIOR TO RECALL 97V201. ALSO, BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.”NHTSA complaint 836112 — filed 06/02/1999 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
“CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE APART. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER…”NHTSA complaint 830830 — filed 02/09/1999 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
“IN AUGUST OF 1998 I BEGAN TO DETECT A CREAKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL (EVEN AT A FULL STOP). I BROUGHT IT…”NHTSA complaint 702551 — filed 01/25/1999 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chrysler Sebring?
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint issues are the most-reported category, cited in 42 of 343 NHTSA complaints (12.2%), followed by air bags:frontal (25), structure:body:roof and pillars (20), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have?
343 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 41 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Chrysler Sebring have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Chrysler Sebring's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
