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 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and it carries 2 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 | 25 | 32% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 8% |
| Power train | 5 | 6% |
| Visibility | 5 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A QUITE NEIGHBORHOOD STREET BOTH AIR BAGS WENT OFF WITH NO ACCIDENT, BIG BUMPS OR DIPS OR ANY OTHER REASON. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UP LOAD THEM. *DSY.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RAIN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS F
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DRIVERS INBOARD SEAT BELT BROKE OFF WHEN MY SON TRIED TO BUCKLE UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. POTENTIALLY A FATAL SITUATION IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONNECTING CABLE FRAYED. IT WOULD NOT HAVE HELD IN ANY TYPE OF FORWARD ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TOOK MY CAR IN 10/23/15 TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP I NEEDED NEW TIRES THAT THEY WERE ALMOST BALD AND THE THREAD INDICATORS WERE SHOWING ON ALL 4. MY TIRES HAD ONLY 20K MILES ON THEM AND THE WARR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
ALARM SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE MULTIPLE TIMES AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARK. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOORS WILL LUCK AND UNLUCK MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALL THE INTERIORS LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT THE SAME TIME THE DOORS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE SEATS BELTS WILL LOCK AND YOU CANNOT LOOSEN THEM. IF YOU ARE JUST ENTEREING THE CAR YOU CANNOT PUT THEM ON.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ENGINE STALLS. SOMETIMES ENGINE (CAR) STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR STOPPING BEFORE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. NO CODES SHOW
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 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.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 25 of them (32%). There are 2 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 2000 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 65/100. 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.