Chrysler Sebring 1995 - Suspension - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Chrysler Sebring 1995

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
97V201000	CHRYSLER CORPORATION	from 07/31/1994 to 07/10/1997	V (Vehicle)	599000	12/15/1997	ODI	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	11/13/1997	11/20/1997
Defect Summary	Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
Consequence Summary	Separation of the ball joint could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect the ball joint end housing cover seal for leakage with a high pressure air tester and the rubber boot will be visually inspected for damage. if the cover seal leaks or the boot is damaged, the lower control arm will be replaced.
Notes	Owner notification began december 15, 1997.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
99V066003	DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION	from 06/16/1994 to 06/30/1996	V (Vehicle)	165857	08/02/1999	ODI	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	04/05/1999	04/26/1999
Defect Summary	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.
Consequence Summary	This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Notes	Owner notification began august 2, 1999. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
00V421002	DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION	from 07/01/1994 to 02/28/2000	V (Vehicle)	393796	05/21/2001	ODI	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	12/18/2000	03/12/2001
Defect Summary	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 Summary	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.
Corrective Summary	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.
Notes	Owner notification began may 21, 2001.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
SUSPENSION
020299	04/09/1999	604970	Vehicles exhibiting front coil spring creaking, popping, or squeaking. *tt	05/21/1999
SUSPENSION - FRONT
022294	12/01/1994	37794	Right steering drift or lead during normal straight-line driving. *tw	02/07/1995
SUSPENSION - REAR
020298	04/17/1998	600810	A squeaking or hard rubbing noise may be heard from the rear of the vehicle when traveling over bumps. *yc	06/09/1998
SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER
020798	06/19/1998	601571	Conditions with light knocking or tapping noise being heard from the rear shock rear while traveling over bumps. *yc	08/10/1998

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
SUSPENSION
RQ00015	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	08/02/2000	04/20/2001	LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT	00V421001
	There is no summary currently available
RQ00015	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	08/02/2000	04/20/2001	LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT	99V066004
	There is no summary currently available
PE99008	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	02/01/1999	04/13/1999	BALL JOINT	99V066003
	Allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
PE99008	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	02/01/1999	04/13/1999	BALL JOINT	99V066004
	Allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
PE99008	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	02/01/1999	04/13/1999	BALL JOINT	99V066002
	Allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
PE99008	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	02/01/1999	04/13/1999	BALL JOINT	99V066001
	Allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
RQ00015	CHRYSLER GROUP LLC	08/02/2000	04/20/2001	LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT	00V421002
	There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
SUSPENSION

	At 60 mph and higher vehicle will vibrate.cause is unknown. dealer notified.*ak
04/26/2000		1
	Right front tire seperated from the car causing a loss of control of the vehicle
10/09/1995		1	08/17/1995
	Vehicle pulling while driving.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
07/26/1999			07/01/1999
	I have purchased 2 sets of new tires...michelin & goodyear. each time i try to get this vehicle aligned it will not drive straight at any speed. the tire company says it is any alignment problem and will not replace the tires due to the abnormal wear(only inside of tires worn). the car bounces all over the road during normal driving conditions. it seems to be a front end problem according to the alignment shop.
08/23/1995		3
	Front end is too low, causing front end bumper to strike road when hitting a dip in street. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
04/09/2000		2	08/01/1995
	On april 9, 2000, my vehicle lost control of itself due to a ball joint separation, since that accident occurred another has happen involing the lower arm control, no one is doing anything about this recall issue from chrysler, my back seat passenger suffered abnormal bleeding during during her pregnancy term and resulted in the loss of her infant while she was pregnaunt, will it take for one of the person insurued driving the car to have another mishap before they see this is a unsafe car to drive, please help me, something needs to be done. *ak

	In july 1999, the dealer checked the lower control boot and the dealer did not replace the boot. now, the driver's lower control boot broke causing the wheel to fall off which may have cause a crash. nhtsa recall 99v066033
08/06/1999
	Inside door locks don't work,and all the door knobs don't work . also, there is a squeaking noise and vibration coming from vehicle due to missing ball joints. *ak
09/14/1998
	While making a turn at 15 mph, the ball joint separated from the tire rod due to loss of lubrication. loss control of power steering. came to a stop with the vehicle on top of the tire. *ak
08/01/1997		3	05/02/1997
	Moulding on fron twindshield separates/peels off, causing airflow through windshield. this is a direc tcause of the adhesive used to secure the moulding. also, abs brakes failed, and front ball joints failed due to a design flaw, resulting in excessive tire wear. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
04/17/2000		1	07/07/1995
	Recall 99v066003, dealer checked vehicle for this recall and said that lower control arm did not need to be replaced. while driving driver's side lower control arm broke off, causing wheel to fall off which may have caused a crash. manufacturer was not willing to assist the consumer. dealer is browns jeep eagle, patchogue ny, 631-289-8500. *ak
		2	09/01/1995
	In september of 1999, the front left lower control arm was replaced as specified in the recall notice(#97v201000). in january of 2000, the problem resurfaced and the same low pitch grinding noise i heard prior to the recall fix had returned . i promptly return the vehicle to the nearest dealership and advised them that i was having the same problem as i had in september. they inspected the front end and advised me that both lower control arms needed to be replaced. i informed the service adviser that i had this problem previously and that at least the left lower control arm had been replaced only a few months early. the service adviser then informed that this problem is no way related to the recall and i would be charge $1400 to have the problem fixed. i have been to several dealerships but know one seems to want to resolved this problem without charging me a fortune. i have also called the chrysler recall hotline but they were just as bad as the dealerships. what is my next course of action to try and help resolve this problem? *ak
06/21/1999
	While driving lower control arm separated from vehicle. the dealer is repairng vehicle. manufacturer has been notified. *ak
02/02/1999		1	06/01/1995
	There was a recall in 1997 on chrysler sebrings built from july 1994 to july 1995 for a lower control arm defect. the factory lubricated ball joint would dry out and the lower control arm would collapse. this happened to my 1995 sebring. i called chrysler and even though my car was built during that time they claim the vin # was not one of the recalls the insurance company is going to replace the part with a used 96 part, i am afraid it my be defective. also, not the to mention the left control arm still on the car as original. i think the least they should do is once the part is on my car they should test the left and right side free of charge and replace them if they fail. i also should be re-imbrust for my $500.00 i had to pay my insurance company, because if that part did fail, it also caused the snapping of my half shaft on the left side. please contact me with suggestions as to0 what i can do i feel i will be driving an unsafe car until i know for sure what happened. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
01/19/2010	152000
	Tl*the contact owns a 1995 chrysler sebring. she stated that while driving 10 mph when the whole wheel and the ball joints came off of the axle, the vehicle fell on the ground. the vehicle was towed to a local auto shop to diagnose the failure. the mechanic stated that it was the ball joint cv axle that failed. no repairs have been made. the dealer was contacted and they gave her a case number stating that someone would call her back . nhtsa campaign id number, 00v421002, suspension front control arm, lower ball joint is related to the failure; however, chrysler stated that they would inform her if the vehicle qualifies. the failure and current mileages were 152,000.
05/29/2001	109549	1	10/27/2000
	2 years ago, while driving between 5-10 mph the right lower lateral ball joint broke in two, causing $10,000.00 in body repairs, recall repairs, all to the front end of my chrysler sebring.the local dealership had my car for 3 months working on my car. i never received a recall notice!!! just minutes before i was on the interstate, we would have been killed. now 2 years later and only 18,000 miles later my car is making a noise in the wheel. i take it back to the dealership and they say it is the ball joint ,( the other side) they said it is a non serviceable , it has rust and is dry. the dealership told me my car is not safe to drive!!!!!that the wheel could fall off again!!! but the part is not defective yet!!!! when is it defective?????? when im killed in a wreck??????? i called chrysler , they said the dealership overcharged and they will not pay anything else, the dealership says they won't fix it unless authorized by chrysler, so here i am with a car that i can not drive and a car payment and car insurance. my car only had half the recall done< the side that is making noise now was never replaced< the dealership told me i had a whole brand new front end!!! i have a car that i do not feel safe in and i can not even get it fixed under a recall notice , my car would have been cheaper to buy back than put all that money into it ($10,000) and now with only 18,000 miles from the first repairs , i dont feel safe at all driving my car!!!! my car has sat for months , i need this problem resolved , i'm tired of all the run arounds and excuses , it is a safety recall!!!!! *jb
	70000	1	09/30/1999
	Consumer took vehicle to mechanic and was informed that the lower lateral arm ball joints needed replacement. la the air conditioner idler was replaced. when the consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, the consumer was told when the air conditioner unit was replaced the recall regarding the lower lateral ball joints was performed, however the consumer was not aware that there was a recall or even that the work was done. the ball joints need to be replaced again, however the dealer stated it was the consumer's responsibility. jb
02/29/2004	98000	2
	While driving front driver's side tire detached from the vehicle due to a broken lower ball joint. vehicle was towed the dealer, but has not been repaired. *ak
06/28/2003	96000	1	06/12/2000
	On 06-28-03 i was driving my car at a speed of 35 mph, while driving my lower ball joint broke and my car lost controll. i was later informed of the recall on the lower ball joint, which i was never informed of, and was never repaired. i took my vehicle directly to a chrysler dealership on that same day 06-28-03. they have had my car for over three weeks now and i have yet to be informed of what will exactly happen as far as repairs go. there was significant body damage not to mention any other damages that happened while my car was dragging on the ground. i have been getting the runaround by the company even though this is a known recall by them. i would appreciate any help from the nhtsa in resolving this matter in a more timely matter then chrysler is currently. *ak
06/04/2003		1
	Lower right ball-joint seperation (failure). *ak
04/20/2003		1
	The ball joints were worn. *jb
12/13/2002
	While traveling on the highway a squeaky noise coming from rear of the vehicle. please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. ts
		1
	Consumer received recall notification (97v201000) to have repairs done, when consumer picked the vehicle up she was informed nothing was wrong, however as consumer proceeeded home a noise began to emit front the front end of the vehicle, vehicle was taken back to the dealer but nothing was done to alleviate the problem, the vehicle was then taken to a nearby garage and that is when consumer was informed that the lower lateral arm ball joints were bad, even though the dealer stated nothing was wrong and the recall had been successfully done.*jb
06/09/2002		4	08/01/2001
	Vehicle was involved in a low speed frontal collision. upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. ak prior to accident, vehicle was taken to a garage due to a popping sound that came from underneath the vehicle, the garage repaired the distributor, shortly after those repairs while driving around a slow turn, steering was lost and the vehicle also accelerated on its own, hitting a fence, 1 week later consumer received recall 00v421002. *slc
10/18/2001		2
	On two occasions, while driving, the driver side wheel almost detached from vehicle causing damage to vehicle, instead of performing safety recall 00v-421, dealer replaced a nut at consumer's expense, consumer is requesting a refund. *tt
07/18/2000		1	07/27/1998
	Lower left ball joint was found to be defective during a state inspection, consumer had part replaced and then received recall number 967, consumer sent a request for reimbursement, however has been denied. *slc

	Lower ball joint failure. *ak
10/18/2001		2
	On two occasions, while driving, the driver side wheel almost detached from vehicle causing damage to vehicle, instead of performing safety recall 00v-421, dealer replaced a nut at consumer's expense, consumer is requesting a refund. *tt
07/18/2000		1	07/27/1998
	Lower left ball joint was found to be defective during a state inspection, consumer had part replaced and then received recall number 967, consumer sent a request for reimbursement, however has been denied. *slc
05/11/2001		1
	While driving 5 mph, front drivers side wheel fell off, lower ball joint separated, causing axle to break off, eventually resulting in wheel coming off, recall 99v066003 was performed five months prior to this incident. *slc
06/07/2000		1
	Recall repair inspection completed and dealership did not find it necessary to replace recall component (99v-066), however a few weeks later the component experienced failure. *mjs
12/26/1998		1	06/01/1995
	Right front end of vehicle crashed down on pavement while driving due to ball joint and lower control arm failure. yh
		1	01/14/1999
	Ball joints failed but dealer refused to repair the under recall #97v201000 because the boots had not failed. nlm
10/21/1999
	While driving the ball joint broke , the wheel seperated from the vehicle resulting in body damage. a recall has been issued on the vehicle . the dealer inspected the vehicle prior to the incident and determined that the vehicle was o.k. the manufacturer has been notified. *yc
09/11/1999
	While driving the lower control arm broke, causing the front wheel to drop . a recall has been issued on the vehicle. the dealer inspected the vehicle three weeks prior to this incident and determined that ball joints were okay. *ak
09/09/1998		1	07/01/1995
	Drivers side front wheel and tire broke loose from the suspension and collapsed under the vehicle causing immediate steering lose, vehicle was not covered under recall (campaign # 97v201000) due to vin. nlm
06/17/1998		1
	Lower control arm ball joint separated from steering knuckle causing wheel to fall off resulting in damage, recall on other year models however vehicle not included in recall
04/12/1998		1
	The right lower control arm (ball joint) separated/came off while backing vehicle out of carport. noticed pieces on ground. will be taken vehicle to dealer to have checked out & repaired under recall (#97v201000). *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT
02/01/2004	108000	1
	While driving 10 mph front upper ball joints snapped. this caused a vehicle collision. dealership was notified,but did not resolve the problem. *ak
12/28/1998		1
	Recall 97v20100o; was driving approximately 5mph when a dip in road appeared. drove through dip & the entire front end had collapsed. the vehicle was inspected by dealer prior to sale & no problem. had vehicle towed to dealer. the upper ball joints had separtated. had no steering or control of vehicle. the manufacturer was notified. informed owner it should not have happened. would be calling owner back. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
07/08/2003	57286	1	05/01/1999
	While traveling on the highway and with prior warning the left wheel bearing hub wasn't lubricated and caused excessive wobbling of the wheel. ak there was excessive heat due to lubrication failure. scc *jb
02/29/2000		0
	While driving consumer hard a rubbing noise, like brakes were dragging. took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was wheel bearing hub. consumer could see one wheel bearing assembly failing, but both going at the same time, he felt it was not normal. *ak
04/08/1996		8
	Defective rear wheel bearing caused wheel to wobble/fire. *dsh
SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE
04/06/1998		3
	Rear wheel bearings go out, causing wheelto fall off. dealer and manufacturer have been notified.ak rear brake pads replaced. slc
SUSPENSION - REAR
01/01/1995		1	09/12/1995
	Right axle seal failed.
SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
		1
	Problems with rear axle bearings.mr while driving, the vehicle swerved to the left and back to the right without indication. the consumer thought all he needed was a new tire since he noticed the tire was worn, however it was the axle that failed. jb