Well, I certainly am sorry about the problems some of you've been having. I don't mean to be rude, but unfortunately the original reviewer bought a real lemon, plain and simple, and should probably not be taken as an all encompassing verdict on all Sebrings.
We've had our '97 JXi for almost ten years now and she has given us (knock on wood for the future) 87,000 miles of rock-solid performance. It's still spacious, comfortable, fairly spirited, and just as pretty as the day we bought it, even if it's long been relegated to fair-weather duty. Yes, the odometer/tach does seem to be a common problem with these models, but does not affect the drivability of the car in any way, as even when out it still seems to keep accurate mileage. If you are handy with a solder gun it's a pretty easy fix and there are tutorials online for it.
As I said, we bought this car new so I know for certain that regular maintenance has been spot-on, the first three years through our local dealer (which we've never had any problem with) and the last seven years have all been done by myself, aside from tires and alignments. Buying a used Sebring is just like buying any used car. Without proper service records one never can know how cared for (or abused) the car had been by it's previous owner (s). If you have a good, trustworthy mechanic and the car gets thoroughly checked then you can be fairly certain with regard to it's reliability.
Anyone who is in the market for a full-sized convertible that fits four adults in comfort and style would be hard pressed to find one that's as good of a bargain as the Sebring. Don't be scared off from a truly fine car just because of a couple of lemons! Mopar4Ever!
I love my 96 Sebring convertible, On sunny days, I push it out of my garage and sit in it and dream I'm at the beach. If it would run long enough without overheating, I'd go to the a real beach. It tends to collect moisture when it rains, but that's OK, 'cause it doubles as a cloth topped bathtub. Another plus, you always have water with you when it overheats. If needed, you can jack it up and take a nice long shower under the quarter panel as the rainwater runs out of the floor and body panels, it's a little rusty and smelly at times though., This is the most versatile car I've ever owned. Thanks Chrysler! What's your next great idea?
September 8, 2007
I bought a new Chrysler Sebring Convertible in 2003. It is a 2002 model that was still on the showroom floor in February. Larger engine, power seats and 4 disk CD changer. This car has run beautifully and the dealership has been great. Now I am into replacing front and rear brakes at 35,000miles. No problems with the instrumentation or window leakage. There is a transmission leak that I will need to have fixed when it becomes a problem. Cost quote for that is over $500. We change the brakes ourselves to keep the cost down. The car still looks good when cleaned and shined. Travels well on long trips too. I plan to keep this car for a long time.
I have a sebring convertible JX 2.5 V6 I have just replaced the thermostat... the one that came out of the vehicle is different than the one specified for the car by the dealer...part # MD 194988 does anyone know the temperature range on this? Has anyone had a similar experience? The car fan came on for the first time in 5 years (after I shut off the car) and this morning after driving it 4 blocks and turning it off it wouldn't start again... anyway just some strange happenings. sound familiar to anyone?
I have the same problem with the tachometer and odometer. Is there a website where I can go to learn how to fix it? I heard two solutions: the computer behind the dashboard, which I can't fix, and something about soldering a wire. If it's the wire, that's something I can do. Also, maybe Chrysler should take responsibility for this constant problem, since I see it everywhere on the Internet.
I had a problem with the odometer/tac, and found this easy fix. It appears it is a faulty solder point on the circuit board.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_wrong_with_a_1997_Chrysler_Sebring_when_the_odometer_and_RPM_gauge_stop_working
I hope this link I found helps.
Also, I have what looks like a missing O2 sensor harness. The sensor is there, but nothing is plugged into it, so needless to say it doesn't work...
I have a 99 Sebring JXI Convertible which only has one of the problems expressed in here. Well, it probably does, since I haven't actually checked it yet. The rear window defogger does not work. According to this list of problems there are some tabs that either need reattaching or permanent soldering or something to correct it. I will investigate that later today.
The only issues I have with the car (only has 52,000 miles currently) is that there is a metallic rattle from the right rear of the car. Seems to be either brake or suspension related in that corner. Going over bumps and rough roadway causes that corner to rattle sounding like a spring in a metal box. When I apply the brakes (hydraulic) the noise stops. Applying the brakes loads the suspension so any lose bushing wold stop rattling or if the caliper or pads are rattling same thing they will go quiet as well.
Anyone experience this one? other than that, the car is a dream.. A little underpowered for my desires, the car would have been much better with the 3.5 V-6 used in the Concorde. Massive torque in that engine.
I own a 1997 Chrysler Sebring JX.
I had a problem with my gauges, but I did the easy fix online by soldering the joints back up and it works great.
Unfortunately I have a huge electrical problem and I am wondering if anybody knows what it is or if it occurs to anybody else?
When I accelerate quickly or bring the car over 2,500 RPM, all the gauges go out along with the radio shutting off and the battery light turns on. All the gauges come back after slowing down and taking the foot off the gas.
The lights go extremely bright sometimes, burning out, and all interior lights go extremely bright. The windshield wipers go extremely fast, and windows go up extremely fast as well, and also the car starts to lag in power. It once also burned out my computer when it happened.
I believe something may be wrong with the alternator overpowering everything after I wind it up too far when accelerating fast. I am wondering if it's that piece that grounds out in the starter? If anybody has ever heard about that?
I am going to try the alternator and I'll get back on to post if that fixes it. Anybody please give me a hint if you have any idea what it may be?
Justin.
My mother bought a 99 Sebring Conv. Limited with around 60k she drove it for years with no problems serious problems then at 210k she did a 360 in the snow and put a ding above the rear drivers side tire that's when she then decided to park it... Loving her car soo much she then bought a 2000 Sebring limited with 70k on it drove it for a yr and a half now with a bad transmission and a blown moter at only 105k she parked it and drives her 99 with over 210,000 miles still no problems so really I think that its somewhat the luck of the draw chrysler apparently cannot come up with the same vehicle because they are techniclly the same however the 2000 was became a peice of garbage SO quick no its no good what so ever and she drives her original again I guess at least she didn't get rid of it and has something to fall back on... also her husband is a mechanic so these two sebrings have had top notch love and care Chyrsler won't be around much longer with the route they are going and the customer service skills that they have...
I've had two 1997 Jxi Convertibles, both basically have the same problems.
The dashboard lights go out after awhile.
The drivers rear window motor went out on both cars.
I've had to change the distributor cap on both cars; that causes the car not to start after a while driving, but when it cools off it would start again.
The fan is not working properly, in one of the cars, and it was running hot. I changed the thermostat, but that wasn't the problem, it still ran hot, then I took it to a dealer, and they told me that it had two locks on the hose leading to the radiator??? I called Chrysler and they told me that because that year of car had a total recall, they don't make those parts anymore, go figure, so now I need to get a new car, no more Sebring for me. If anyone knows anything about locks on the hose, please let me know.
97 Sebring Convertible 2.5 L Jxi, bought with 99000 miles, at 164000 now. It started overheating recently and I took the thermostat out; still overheats. A mechanic told me because of the color of my oil, that she is leaking water into the engine. Any possibility that it's not the end for my baby? All I did for 65000 miles was change 1 belt, oil and tires. Let me know if there are any ideas before I put her to rest.
I have had the car less than a year, and have put in a water pump, timing belt, power steering pump, all 4 wheel bearings and rotors, alternator, and starter.
It fills with water every time it rains, there are numerous electrical problems, and the head lights are very dim.
I have owned a number of performance sport cars, and this is far and beyond the worst made car I have ever seen. Chrysler should be ashamed. Maybe it's time they just threw in the towel and saved us 7 billion in bailout money.
Mark here in Vancouver BC with a 97 JXi red conv. After reading the hundreds of reviews, I wished I had an idea of who was writing the review.
I drive my car hard, male, 45, and with top down as often as possible - in the winter too, park outside, regular oil changes and send it to my mechanic for repairs - no dealers.
My first was a 98 JXi red conv. It went the way of a gentle head on - twisted the frame - toast - $2000 in salvage. The second was 'borrowed' and returned with cosmetic damage (they caught the %&$#@'s stealing from a liquor store). So with the recent damage, it's time to replace it with - guess what?!? Another late 90's Sebring convertible.
My first was bought used in 2004, the second in 2006. I've loved the cars despite the irritating electrical problems. And both got to the over 150's km mark, and ran beautifully except when a battery or starter or alternator went. $200-300 later and I was up and running.
I've read much of the reviews here and on other sites - excellent info, and although I'm a little discouraged about buying another based on the various sites I've scoured (for hours), I'm willing to gamble and pick another. I'll aim for a 1999 this time.
BTW, I know personally two other cars owned by friends (a 97 JXi & a 2000 Lx) who tell me their experiences and they're both very happy with the cars.
MY PROBLEMS; Nothing major like tranny or motor or the rag or stalling. All smooth there except sometimes after starting cold the tranny wouldn't engage for a few seconds (my 97 JXi). I'd put in reverse - it would engage - and then drive would engage.
MINOR PROBLEMS;
Electrical; Tach and Odometer and interior lighting intermittent on both cars - usually not working.
As mentioned, the odd battery, starter, alternator, washer fluid bottle crack, the front spoiler busted after catching a curb, squeaky rear brakes - occasionally on the 98 - nothing to be concerned about, leaks at the front window-top after the front window was replaced by an incompetent, brakes wearing a little prematurely, a tie-rod end... blah blah... the usual.
Oh, one more thing, the frost plug went on the 97 - I decided to replace them all - $$$ ouch.
And another - all of you should insist that your mechanic clean THE DRAIN CHANNELS from the rocker panels, otherwise you too will suffer an inch or two of water swishing from front to back on the INSIDE of your car. It got my nice shoes soaked. A very minor job - do it when you get the oil changed - my mechanic does it for free once it's on the hoist.
THE PROS;
6 CD changer sounds fantastic,
handling is superb (don't like the 2001 and beyond - they're too heavy - and I've spent probably 2 months of my life over the last 5 years looking for just the right Sebring).
The styling of the 96-2000, love it.
I preferred the 98's velor over the more recent leather - the leather is too slippery and now has a sun crack in the passenger seat.
Big back seat and relatively big trunk.
The power to weight ratio of the Sebring - I looked at a Mustang and felt out of control around corners - too heavy.
Btw, my mechanic was adamant about regular oil changes - he's an older and very trusted man - very experienced.
Anybody have a connection for a driver's side rear taillight lens 1997? I bumped mine the other day. I don't know if I'm allowed to post an email here, but I'll try thesolutionist at hotmail.com.
I'd like to thank everyone for their contribution, and I hope I've passed the audition for mine.
Mark in Vancouver BC.
InJoy.
97 Chrysler Sebring convertible: I am 6'4" tall and would like a little more leg room. Any suggestions for adapting the power seat rails so I can move it a little further back??
97 Sebring convertible: I am having difficulty with the on/off button-volume control button for the am/fm/cassette radio. Specifically the volume control does not seem to work to adjust up/down... unless you very carefully pull it out and adjust up/down... any other suggestions/replacements?
Also: is there a replace dash gauge package which would have an oil pressure gauge instead of the "idiot light"?