Is the 2004 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
220 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 60, 6× a quiet Sebring year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 20k–80k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Sebring owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 46,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 56 (25%) | 20k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 32 (15%) | 21k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 23 (10%) | 28k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (10%) | 6k–51k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 20 (9%) | 8k–49k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 26 (12%) | 71k–103k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 46,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 220 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2002 Chrysler Sebring , the car was found with sludge in the engine. Oil changes were done every 7500 miles with the eception of the first which was at 4800 miles.
Dt vehicle has stalled twice, called to make an appointment to bring the vehicle in by that time it had overheated.
I bought my used touring model Sebring in may of 2011, and since then it has repeatedly jumped or leaped forward when coming to a stop or idling, even with my foot on the brake.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 46,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Chrysler Sebring: 7
In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The socket may have been excessively hardened which could cause it to crack near the retaining ring groove allowing the ball stud to separate under impact load. The subject ball joints were sold as four part numbers, D10945, D10946, G10945, and G10946. Separation of the ball stud from the socket of the ball joint housing would allow the control arm to collapse and the wheel to fold in causing loss of steering control, possibly resulting in a crash.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain convertible model vehicles, the left hand rear seat belt retractor bolt may not have been properly tightened. This may result in the rear seat occupant being improperly restrained in a crash.
On certain 2-DOOR passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be improperly molded. Breakage could result in a leakage of fuel and in the presence of an ignition source, it could result a fire.
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive fuel pressure may result in a leak in the fuel return hose. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 20
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Neighbouring years
2003 Sebring: 42 complaints, keep it · 2005 Sebring: 75 complaints, keep it.
Every Chrysler Sebring year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Sebring years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
220 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 60, 6× a quiet Sebring year. At 46,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 20k–80k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chrysler Sebring?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (56), air bags (32), electrical system (23), transmission and drivetrain (23), speed control (20). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 20k–80k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chrysler Sebring have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 15V-338), Suspension (NHTSA 09E056000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Brakes (NHTSA 07E023000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.