2009 Chrysler Sebring

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

70/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	5	11%
Air bags	4	9%
Vehicle speed control	2	4%
Electrical system	2	4%
Tires	2	4%
Fuel system	1	2%
Electrical system	1	2%
Exterior lighting	1	2%
Power train	1	2%
Seats	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission was shifted to drive (D), and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa
NHTSA complaint: Power train

The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT COME ON AT ALL AND AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR A FINE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE DRIVE THE CAR LOSES POWER AND WILL STALL AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF, WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY AND DRIVE FINE AGAIN CAN NOT IDLE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME LIKE AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN CAUSE WHEN YO
NHTSA complaint: Power train

THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ALOT AND I WOULD GIGGLE THE WIRE TO GET THEM TO FULLY TURN ON. THEN THAT STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT ROUTES OF TRYING TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT NOTHING WILL. IT CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN DURING TH
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND STARTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAK
NHTSA complaint: Power train

AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON OUTTA NOWHERE, VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN A ACCIDENT EITHER. TURNS ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BATTER FOR THE PAST YEAR AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO STOP THE ISSUE BUT SOMETHING IS CONSTANLY MAKING MY VEHICLE GO DEAD. THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT IS THAT THE SEAT WILL NOT
NHTSA complaint: Seats

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 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.

Fuel system 09V047000

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 91 MY 2009 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A COMPATIBILITY ISSUE BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SOFTWARE AND FUEL PUMP MODULE CAN RESULT IN THE FUEL GAUGE OVERSTATING THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEVEL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF F

Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 08V528000

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	76	good
Maintenance	88	excellent
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	49	below average
Efficiency	45	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 42% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 43% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 93% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 30% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 76: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2009 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 88: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2009 Chrysler Sebring?

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 5 of them (11%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2009 Chrysler Sebring reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) 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.

How long will a 2009 Chrysler Sebring last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2009 Chrysler Sebring?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.