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 291 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 51 | 18% |
| Suspension | 29 | 10% |
| Air bags | 22 | 8% |
| Seats | 19 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 5% |
| Engine | 12 | 4% |
| Power train | 12 | 4% |
| Structure | 9 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Driving on [XXX] in Indiana my rpm’s began to accelerate and I hit my breaks and once I got to 30 mph my breaks went out. I looked online and one after another of complaints for exactly this has been posted in rooms. It
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Random stalling upon deceleration with no warning lights after stalling (as if the engine thinks it is still running). Occurs at low speed. Sometimes the engine will surge when the rpm drops off instead of stalling.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with smoke coming from underneath the hood. Smoke then entered the cabin of the vehic
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Car will start sometimes and then will not. Replaced 20 amp fuse and it will start. Maybe 10-15 times it will start and then it will not. My wife drives the car and is very concerning to her. Have looked at other complai
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while her fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle seemed as if it was running out of gasoline. The check engine and a fuel warning light wer
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ON. MEANING AIR BAG IS NOT OPERATIONAL.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY. TIRE SEPARATED FROM CAR AND AXLE SEPARATED FROM TRANSAXLE. APPROXIMATE SPEED LESS THAN 6MPH. NO CONTOL OF CAR AFTER INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I HEARD A POP THE A LOT OF SMOKE CAME IN THE CAR, I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BY THE FIREWALL, THE FUEL RLN HAD CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2004 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 200
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July
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.
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.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 291 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 51 of them (18%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) 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 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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 63/100. 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.