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 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 14 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 16% |
| Power train | 6 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while approximately 20 MPH, the entire wheel detached from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was inspected. It was confirmed that the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE HORN ON MY 2005 SEBRING WILL RANDOMLY SOUND AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEAT UPON OR VIOLENTLY SHAKEN UP AND DOWN. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK ON IT'S OWN AS A SAFETY FEATURE. IT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
FRONT END OF THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. UNSAFE FOR SURE WHEN IN MOTION . VEERED OFF-ROAD
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE HORN GOES OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE DAY. THE HORN RANDOMLY GOES OFF WHEN THE CAR IS POWERED ON AND IN MOTION (ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A STREET), SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY AND POWERED OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY - THE VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY HEARD A DINGING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING SOUND AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE AFFECTED FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | 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 82 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 14 of them (17%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (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 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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.