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 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 17 | 19% |
| Power train | 11 | 12% |
| Structure | 10 | 11% |
| Suspension | 8 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TAKATA RECALL. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM, AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF HAVING NO BRAKES. I HAVE NO TYPE OF BRAKES AT ALL. WHEN TAKEN OFF PARKING, EVEN WITH FOOT ON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DRIVING DOWN ROAD, AROUND 10 MILES A HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT CLUNK ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT OUT TO CHECK, AND THE ENTIRE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON WAS LAYING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE RIM.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
CAR WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. WILL RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 TRIES. HAPPENS AFTER FILLING TANK. 1ST THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS. BUT TRIED DIFFERENT STATIONS. SAME PROBLEM. SPORADIC. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I SHUT OFF CAR AND TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FRONT SEAT BELTS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. IT IS GETTING WORSE, IN THE LAST 3 DAYS, IT HAS LOCKED UP TWICE AND CURRENTLY THEY ARE LOCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEATS TO BE USED *TR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCK UP AND DO NOT RELEASE. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BUT MOSTLY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY TIGHTEN & TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF ALMOST BEING PAINFUL. MECHANICS DO NOT KNOW WHY T
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HO
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE S
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 49 | 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 91 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 17 of them (19%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 68/100. 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.