Odometer and the Tachometer come on and function of their on free will while the car is running.
Unexplained popping noises coming from dash area.
Horrible wear on the drivers seat, even with leather treatment applied weekly since I came to own the car.
Driver's door is literally coming apart at the seems. The interior components are held to the door by this one way locking plastic pegs. Those pegs decided to stop function around the 4 birthday of the car. So when you shut your door the thing rattles and sound awful. Also on the door the molding around the window/lock controls is separating.
The car takes on water whenever it rains. Leaving you with a nice mildew smell for quite some time afterword.
Almost all the stitching on the top has came loose.
Headlight bulb replacement is amazingly difficult. You have to remove the entire headlight unit to actually be able to replace the bulb.
I have had to replace the rotors once.
The car also eats through tires like no other, these are nice tires by the way. I believe that is to be expected with a front wheel drive though.
Rear window defroster has never functioned.
The fabric lining the trunk is falling down.
The steering rods have failed once, and were subsequently replace by the dealership, under warranty.
Passenger window is 1.5 times slower than any other window to move up or down.
This car is most comfortable, but it is lacking in the power department. The creature comforts are plentiful, considering the year, although it seems that the grand majority of said comforts don't function anymore. I have owned this car for 4 years, putting a higher than average number of miles upon it each year. The mechanical reliability of the car has been satisfactory, considering my daily commute, but that is the best I can say for it. The car perform it's job. It was my main mode of transportation, and added a little top-down fun on the side. However upon final consideration of this vehicle, I must say that I will not be getting another Chrysler product. Well unless they learn a great deal from their new German parents. My next car will be German, a BMW to be exact--hopefully it will make up for where this car fell somewhat short.
The odometer not working is a known defect. Lots of information on the Sebring Convertible at www.sebringclub.net. There is a procedure to repair the cluter assembly yourself.
I have a 1997 jxi also and have had the same issue with the 20a fuse blowing. No mechanic could tell me that it was the starter, I read about it here and and had a new starter put in and have no trouble since. I have had 4 set of new brakes, need new rotors, replaced oxygen sensor due to check engine light, conver top is falling apart, drivers side leaks with rain, and now the oil pressure light is on when I stop a lights I am in park. 114,000 miles and I do love my car. Has anyone else had the oil pressure issue and if so what was the cause, I have not had this looked at yet.
I had the oil pressure light looked at this weekend and needed to have the oil pressure sender switch replaced, costed $89 with the oil change, not too bad I guess.
I own a 1997 Chrysler Sebring JXI, the fully loaded model. My car has had all the same problems mentioned in the original comment.
Water leaks over the driver's side window, especially with washing.
The paint on the interior door handles is chipping off, looking very tacky.
The sending unit was sending too much electricity to the starter motor, causing a 20 cent 'peanut fuse' to blow on a regular basis. The first time this happened, the car was towed approximately 20km to the dealership. The problem cost $120 to diagnose, including labor! The starter and sending unit was later replaced under warranty after completely burning up. This happened at about 70,000km.
The oil pressure light used to come on when I would stop the car, but I ignored it and it seems to have given up now.
The odometer and tachometer click on and off (mostly off) of their own free will.
Had to replace the rotors once and the brakes still squeak incessantly, extremely annoying.
One of the rear hub mechanisms wore out and almost seized up. The mechanic was very perplexed by the sound it made and informed me if I had not brought the car in, the wheel could have locked up causing an accident. I can now hear the other side going... this cost $150 plus labor to repair.
The car has begun to falter and nearly stalls when shifted into drive... very disturbing.
Both front end tie rod arms have worn out, needing replacement. These cost $125 each plus labor. The problem caused an alignment problem that burned off a really expensive set of Fulda tires...grrrr.
The top is falling apart around the rear window.
The rear defrost is non-functional because the contact point needs to be re-connected. I just haven't got around to fixing it.
Oh yeah, the remote stops working periodically. Also the interior light has begun to click on and off in a rather ghostly fashion, only when the driver side door is open. Oh yeah, that little pin holding the driver's door is broken causing an annoying 'ping' when I open the door.
Hmmmm...what else will go wrong? Anyone want to buy a really nice car?
I have a 1996, reading these comments made me smile. I have all the exact same problems as you have described, plus a few more.
My Car has 120,567 miles now... odometer is fine top is OK.. just the cd changer won't play seats are torn... but I love my car.
I have had so many things go wrong with this wreck, that all I can suggest to you is to sell it while it's still running. I can't give mine away, so I'm gonna take joy in watching this horrible car get crushed.
Make no mistake, this is a very badly designed and built car, and the trouble is all you can expect.
I should mention that my father is a mechanic, and will not have anything to do with the car.
I bought a used 1997 Satellite Sebring JXI convertible for my daughter and the car has been great. Only the top is a problem (showing wear) and after 12 years I would expect that. She has over 100,000 miles on the car so far and it has been good to her for 4 years. After reading these comments I have to KNOCK on WOOD.
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