Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 277 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 50 | 18% |
| Suspension | 22 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 8% |
| Power train | 16 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 5% |
| Wheels | 15 | 5% |
| Air bags | 13 | 5% |
| Tires | 12 | 4% |
| Visibility | 11 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
AXEL AND BALL JOINT WENT OUT ON ME AFTER BUYING THIS CAR WITHIN 48 HOURS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OF DEALER [ WHITTEN BROTHERS,RICHMOND,VA ] TO DIAGNOSIS THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT. PROBLEM IS A HARSH NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT[UNDER ]THE CAR WHEN A ROAD POT HOLE OR IMPERFECTION [SUBST
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OF DEALER [ WHITTEN BROTHERS, RICHMOND,VA ] TO DIAGNOSIS THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT. PROBLEM IS A HARSH NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT [UNDER ] THE CAR WHEN A ROAD POT HOLE OR IMPERFECTION [SUB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OF DEALER [ WHITTEN BROTHERS,RICHMOND,VA ] TO DIAGNOSIS THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT. PROBLEM IS A HARSH NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT[UNDER ]THE CAR WHEN A ROAD POT HOLE OR IMPERFECTION [SUBST
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1998 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 277 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 50 of them (18%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) 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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.