Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 41 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 9% |
| Air bags | 14 | 7% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Visibility | 10 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 4% |
| Seats | 8 | 4% |
| Structure | 8 | 4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY 95 CHRYSLER SEBRING HAS A SQUEAKING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWARDS THE BACK TIRES I HAD IT CHECKED OUT THEY SAID THE RUBBER PIECE ON BY BALL JOINT IS GONE SO THE NOISE IS FROM THE METAL RUBBING AND TO BE CAREFUL
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHRYSLER SEBRING. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE WHOLE WHEEL AND THE BALL JOINTS CAME OFF OF THE AXLE, THE VEHICLE FELL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
DT: THE INJECTORS LEAKED. ALSO, THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. WAS NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE LEAKAGE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THIS OUT WHEN HE WENT TO GET THE BRAKES REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON SEPTEMBER
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I WISH YOU WOULD RECALL THE FUEL RAIL WHICH CONNECTS TO MY CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 2.5 COUPE,WHY, BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE WITH JUST A SPARK IT ALSO LEAKS AND I HAVE MY KIDS TO THINK ABOUT. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD TH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
AS I WAS LEAVING I PUT MY CAR ON REVERSE TO DRIVE OFF.I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL IT TOOK OFF AND HIT A POLE.WHAT I MEAN BY TOOK OFF IS THAT I ONLY HAD A SMALL AREA TO REVERSE IN SO I GENTLY PUSHED THE PEDAL AND IT LIKE JERKE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING VEHICAL SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL DUE TO LOWER LATERAL ARM OF SUSPENSION BREAKING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHICH IN TURN CAUSED EXTENSIVE OTHER DAMAGE TO SUSPENSION...ETC. REPLACED CV BOOTS, ALSO NOTICED DAMAGE TO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2 YEARS AGO, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH THE RIGHT LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT BROKE IN TWO, CAUSING $10,000.00 IN BODY REPAIRS, RECALL REPAIRS, ALL TO THE FRONT END OF MY CHRYSLER SEBRING.THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHILE DRIVING FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A BROKEN LOWER BALL JOINT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 Chrysler Sebring. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS COND
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 JOIN
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 I
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 41 of them (21%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.