The 1999 Chrysler Sebring represents Chrysler's first-generation mid-size coupe/convertible/sedan, and it's plagued by catastrophic 2.5L V6 engine failures and transmission issues that have earned it a reputation as one of the least reliable vehicles of its era.
2.5L V6 Catastrophic Engine Failure (Sludge and Oil Starvation)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or ticking noise from engine, Loss of oil pressure, Check engine light with misfire codes, Metal shavings in oil, Sudden engine seizure
Fix: The Mitsubishi-sourced 2.5L V6 is notorious for sludge buildup even with regular oil changes, leading to spun bearings, scored cylinders, and complete engine failure. Repair requires full engine rebuild (20-25 hours) or replacement with used/remanufactured unit (12-16 hours). Head gasket failures are also common on this engine. Many owners discover damage too late for economical repair.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
41TE/A604 Automatic Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts between gears, Slipping in 2nd or 3rd gear, Transmission overheating, No movement in drive or reverse, Whining or grinding noises
Fix: The 4-speed automatic is weak behind both engines and fails from worn clutch packs, solenoid issues, and valve body problems. Transmission cooler lines often leak into the radiator causing cross-contamination. Requires rebuild (14-18 hours) or replacement (10-12 hours). Band adjustments and fluid changes can extend life but rarely save a failing unit.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Fuel Pump Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking, Stalling when hot, Loss of power under acceleration, Sputtering at highway speeds, Fuel gauge reading erratically
Fix: In-tank fuel pump assembly fails prematurely, often leaving drivers stranded. Requires dropping the fuel tank (3-4 hours). Multiple NHTSA recalls address this but many fail outside recall criteria. The fuel filter is integrated into the pump assembly on most models, so entire unit must be replaced.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Lower Ball Joint and Control Arm Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps, Wandering or loose steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Vehicle pulls to one side, Steering wheel vibration
Fix: Front lower ball joints wear prematurely and cannot be replaced separately—entire control arm assembly required (2-3 hours per side). NHTSA recall 00V326000 covered some VINs but many fall outside coverage. Failure can cause wheel separation. Both sides typically need replacement around same time.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Convertible Top Hydraulic System and Motor Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Top won't raise or lower, Top operates slowly or stops mid-cycle, Hydraulic fluid leaking near trunk, Motor runs but top doesn't move, Top latches won't release
Fix: Convertible models suffer hydraulic pump motor failures, leaking cylinders, and worn lift arms. System is complex with multiple failure points. Diagnosis takes 1-2 hours, pump replacement 3-4 hours, cylinder replacement 4-6 hours depending on which one fails. Used parts are risky as they have same age-related issues.
Estimated cost: $800-2,200
Electrical Gremlins (BCM and Wiring Issues)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Gauges reading incorrectly or not at all, Interior lights staying on or not working, Power windows operating intermittently, Warning lights illuminating randomly, No-start with electrical accessories dead
Fix: Body Control Module fails causing various electrical issues. Corrosion in wiring harnesses (especially near battery and grounds) creates intermittent problems difficult to diagnose. BCM replacement requires programming (2-3 hours). Chasing intermittent wiring issues can take 4-8+ hours with no guarantee of fix.
Estimated cost: $350-1,200
Owner tips
Change oil every 3,000 miles religiously on the 2.5L V6 using quality synthetic oil—this engine's sludge tendency is a design flaw but frequent changes help
Service the 41TE transmission every 30,000 miles with complete fluid replacement, not just drain-and-fill
Replace transmission oil cooler lines preemptively at 100k to prevent radiator cross-contamination
Check and clean battery terminals and ground connections every 6 months to prevent electrical issues
Budget $500-1000/year for unexpected repairs after 100k miles—these are expensive to maintain
Avoid unless free—the 2.5L V6 engine and 41TE transmission are ticking time bombs that make this one of the worst used car values from the late 90s.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 09E012000
2009-04-07
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E064000
2006-07-17
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · 01I012000
2001-07-05 · EA99028
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI LIMITED CONVERTIBLES. THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN COULD SNAG AND/OR FRAY THE EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT.
Consequence: THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT AND RETAINING PIN. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT FLOOR MATS WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · 99I004000
1999-05-06 · EA97025
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY, IT CAN SEPARATE UNEXPECTEDLY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence: IF THE COVER SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE AN IMPROVED CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER INSTRUCTION LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.