1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Jxi from North America

Summary:

A beautiful car, with lots of hidden problems

Faults:

The throttle cable (which ended up being a recall approximately 3 or 4 months later) got stuck and the car was stuck at 4500 RPM's on a street where children frequently play. The foot brake would not stop the car, nor would the emergency brake. The car had to simply be shut off and towed.

The driver's side window control panel has come halfway off, no matter what I try to do to secure it down, it always comes back off.

The door lock button on the drivers side has come off... good thing the doors automatically lock at 15 mph.

The window seals on the driver's side leak when I go to the car wash or it rains.

The horn got stuck when I was sitting at a red light. Then it stopped. Two days later, in the middle of the night at 3 am, the horn began to go off again. We took the horn fuse out, which also took out the dash lights. The horn ultimately had to be disconnected, leaving me with no horn on the road with which to express my frustrations!

The leather seats have began to come unsewn and wear very badly.

The convertible top has began to come unsewn at the edges.

The radiator began to leak at about 65,000 miles and had to be replaced.

The car just randomly chooses when to start and when not to start. When I take it to the shop, they find absolutely nothing wrong with it. This is the second time this has happened. As a matter of fact, it's in the shop right now for that same issue! The alternator is fine, battery is fine, I left no lights on, the starter is fine... who knows?

General Comments:

It's a beautiful car, but there are so many issues with it (as previously stated) that I would never think of owning another Sebring... or another Chrysler for that matter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd February, 2004

25th Apr 2004, 17:20

Did they ever find the problem with your car starting? I am currently having the same problem with my car. If you ever find out what the problems please let me know.

Thank you

Dana Dixon

dcdixon2003@yahoo.com.

9th Jul 2004, 12:27

With regard to the sebring not starting, I had this happen several times over the course of a year and it was due to a 20 amp ignition fuse blowing. On the fourth time, the fuse consistently blew when I would try to start the car. I traced the problem back to a faulty starter. I changed the starter and haven't had any further problems with the fuse blowing.

17th Jul 2004, 06:06

Regarding the 96 Sebring Convertible sometimes starting and sometimes not starting, I had the same problem which could not be diagnosed by the Chrysler dealer where the car was towed. It was later seen by a small repair shop who traced the problem to faulty cable insulation at the starter that was causing an occasional short circuit. This same problem let to numerous blown fuses in the fuse box under the hood. I changed the cable, changed the starter and the problem was fixed.

30th Dec 2006, 15:56

Thank you for giving me the suggestions about the fuses and such, I am having the same problem, and my speaker covers are completely ruined! they really should have come up with a better place to put them.

27th Feb 2008, 18:30

Change your crank sensor if it stalls at random; that cures it.

1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible jxi from North America

Summary:

This car has served its purpose of being a ragtop that is dependable

Faults:

About once a year I have replace worn front brake pads. The dealer where purchased charges at the wazoo, I now have a regular place that does all mech. type work, I take all four of my cars to this place.

Little things like the gas gage moving up and down (bringing on the little yellow pump icon) when the gas level reaches a level of just below full to half full. Below half full it does nothing.

The drivers side window control panel has come loose and will not stay put despite what ever measures I try. All the clips come off the posts and the panel just flops around.

Whenever it rains hard or I wash the car water does store in the hold built for the top. After a day or two it leaks out, so far it hasn't made it into the car itself.

General Comments:

There is good news and bad news here. On the bad side is the car is black and is like a magnet for everything on the road. I have been run into at intersections (less than a year from new) causing me to run with my lights on all the time. Parking lots, people back into it as if they cannot see it, and wildlife, last year a big deer ran right infront of it. This car is no stranger to the body shop.

The good side. During the past year, say about 85,000 miles it starting running better than when it was new. We took it on vacation last year, sort of stretched its legs and since then it is like the engine got broken in.

The car looks great when cleaned up and I try a keep it maintained. I live in Georgia so despite all the little problems it still is a great ride down south.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th January, 2004

18th Jun 2004, 19:40

Your window controls sit in a piece of molding called a switch bezel. You can go to your local Chrysler dealership and get one in the proper color. Just remove your switches and place them in the new bezel. It just snaps in, the cost is less than $20.00 and you have no more aggravating window controls to flop around.