2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING Recalls, Complaints & Safety

On December 15, 2025, while driving my 2008 Chrysler Sebring in Indianapolis, Indiana, I noticed smoke coming from the driver’s side near the battery. Shortly afterward, the car completely stopped responding — the brakes and steering were unresponsive — and the vehicle caught fire in that area. I exited the car safely, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but I suspect a battery or electrical component failure. No warning lights appeared prior to the incident, except for the smoke I noticed. The incident has not yet been inspected by a dealer, manufacturer, or insurance representative. If inspection is needed, the affected parts can be examined in the tow lot, but much of the vehicle has been destroyed, and there is very little left of the car due to the fire. The safety of myself and others was at risk due to the sudden loss of braking and steering control, as well as the vehicle catching fire while on the road. The problem has not been reproduced, and I am reporting it to ensure the incident is recorded for safety monitoring and potential investigation.

Fire

On December 15, 2025, while driving my 2008 Chrysler Sebring in Indianapolis, Indiana, I noticed smoke coming from the driver’s side near the battery. Shortly afterward, the car completely stopped responding — the brakes and steering were unresponsive — and the vehicle caught fire in that area. I exited the car safely, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but I suspect a battery or electrical component failure. No warning lights appeared prior to the incident, except for the smoke I noticed. The incident has not yet been inspected by a dealer, manufacturer, or insurance representative. If inspection is needed, the affected parts can be examined in the tow lot, but much of the vehicle has been destroyed, and there is very little left of the car due to the fire. The safety of myself and others was at risk due to the sudden loss of braking and steering control, as well as the vehicle catching fire while on the road. The problem has not been reproduced, and I am reporting it to ensure the incident is recorded for safety monitoring and potential investigation.

Fire

I have a 2008 Chrysler Sebring Sedan. The radiator is leaking fluid that splashes all over the wires causing a burning smell. I later found out that this is caused by an electrical issue with the sensors. Similarly my tire pressure sensors are fried. These issues have eroded wires causing my A/C and Cruise Control systems to malfunction. My power windows have issues sometimes I can't get them to roll up or down. My internal lights in my car flickering on and off. The mess from the radiator is also causing my engine to overheat. I am now having issues with oil pan leaks as a result of too much pressure from the engine. I see that only certain VINS were added to the recall list. I strongly suggest that NHTSA add other VINS to the recall list, especially mine, since I'm having those exact same issues. I see that there are complaints about this year make and model as recent as last year. Why hasn't the recall list been updated? Please update the recall list. Please and thank you!!

The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the transmission was shifted to park(P), but after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle rolled forward. The contact then noticed that the instrument panel indicated that the transmission was in drive(D). The contact depressed the brake pedal again, but after releasing the brake pedal, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact applied the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling and was able to park the vehicle; however, the transmission later became stuck in park (P). The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC: P2004, P0700, and P0562. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The car loss compression in the middle of driving. Try to crank it but it drains the battery. Also, I bought the car a year the buy here pay here company ripped out the lemon law page for Tennessee but kept the other pages in.

See attached document for complaint.

Engine frequently stalls while driving. I've had my car shut off while I'm driving many times, the steering wheel and brakes lock up and it makes it hard to get off the street to safety. This happens a LOT. It is very dangerous and scary. I get anxiety everytime I drive because I'm scared of it happening again. My car once turned off in the middle of a busy intersection while trying to turn. It came on after about 45 seconds but it was terrifying. Battery often dies (just replaced it). Horn would go off randomly without stopping for a long time. I had to disconnect the horn (on both sides) because it would keep randomly going off with no way to stop it. Cruise control stopped working one day. Sometimes it comes up when I press cruise control but it turns off when I try setting a speed. Drivers window broke inside, I think something snapped inside the door. I've had it replaced 3 times but it keeps breaking. A/C makes an awful grinding noise sometimes, but it goes away if I turn the A/C off then back on. Also with the A/C, a door or something inside the dash will get stuck every so often and it makes a LOUD clicking like noise but it goes away after about 20 seconds (something to do with the actuator?). Brake light will come on sometimes when I stop. It goes away shortly after I start driving again. ABS light has been on my dash for a few months now. Most of these issues have been happening for over a year now. Most of this shows up under a recall from 2008, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING. It doesn't show up under my VIN number but I'm having the same exact problems.

I was on my way to work. All the warning light appeared on my dash. Then all the warning light, radio, speedometer gage and all head light and tail lights went out. I was driving in the dark. My engine bogged down no power. I was barley moving. I replaced the battery no difference. I replaced the alternator worked for 3 minutes and then the car was back to the same as before. I contacted a nearby mechanic facility they told me that it was most definitely the fuse panel under the hood. That's its not a recall but a lawsuit replacement. I notified the manufacturer and they told me my Vin number was not under recall. I'm confused on what to do not. I'm in no way able to purchase a new vehicle at this time. Nor spend hundreds or thousands in repairs. Please help.

Brakes stopped working while in drive

purchased may 15th.and now car sits in my apartment parking lot as a roadblock for all tenants since May 27th. 2008sebring started fine.drove 2 miles roundtrip, vehicle ride was rough upon turning into residence thankfully I was not on the street in traffic when the car decided to stop ,the windows were down I still have not been able to get them rolled up .lights instrument panel lights went haywire flashing,ding chime sound continuous. the backdash illuminate light has never worked. wont accept jump from cables,has power in areas under hood, charged to 12v on charger able to get code (DTC-U1403 implausible fuel level signal. Just like the recall of the wiring issue it's similar. The week this happened the tire pressure indicator in the lower left corner of Dash was lit up and the cruise control light would come on but when engaged it would not drive at the limit set only reduce is speed the stereo CD changer didn't work I thought it was just because it was old the cigarette lighter which I used for my power source the light on that device would flicker in and out showing it wasn't getting a good connection the key would get stuck in the ignition or do a continuous storage where you it would not spring back as it should you'd have to turn it off and then try to restart it the battery in the fob work just fine before all of this took place now the battery is dead in the fob as well. it won't hold a charge I want to know how it's going to get fixed and with whose money?? $95 for Diagnostic.while covering windows later that night,I was able to see a dim red light where the tire pressure indicator was lit up at the fuses are fine the battery is 6 months old but it is constantly draining I it won't stay charged I can't get it out of gear it to put it in neutral to move it anywhere. Main purpose was to get me to my doctor appointments now I can't even do that& I haven't been able to do that.. i think this recall has Revisited. its unsafe

While driving down the road the Lexus it locks the steering wheel to keep it from moving at all broke almost causing me to have an accident when making the turn it will not pass safety inspection now because of the broken piece inside the steering column that’s where I was going to get it the safety inspection for our state when it broke. I’m not sure exactly what it broke but this is a safety issue. I uploaded a picture but a video would probably be better but I couldn’t send it attach that I can send you one if you would like please respond to me and let me know

No incident as of yet my air bag light on a ND there is ticking from the passenger side of the compartment glove box and the drivers seat moves when coming to a stop

Ticking noise coming from passengers compartment glove box seat belt light on and seat moves when come to a stop and driver side door handle just came off on the passenger side can't open the door from outside of vehicle there should be recall for this

No incident as of yet my air bag light on a ND there is ticking from the passenger side of the compartment glove box and the drivers seat moves when coming to a stop

In February 2021 my car wouldn’t stop, tried to give it a jump and it still wouldn’t start. Replaced the battery and it started working again. In April 2021 my engine light came on. I got a diagnostic and the error code read: P2016 Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Low Bank 1. I didn’t get it fixed. Shortly after, I began hearing a faint crackling noise and noticed when I would drive on turn pikes my a red brake symbol would briefly pop up on my dash board and then go away. In May 2021 my horn stopped working and front right turn signal light stopped working. I tried to get a new one installed it wouldn’t work. I was told it could be an electrical issue. In July 2021 my right low beam head light stopped working. I tried to get a new bulb installed and it still wouldn’t work. At this time I was told the same thing, that it seems like there may be an electrical issue. This month, November 2021, a few days ago on Monday November 1st, I began noticing an acceleration issue in the morning. I would press the accelerator and it wouldn’t pick up until a few seconds later, it was like a delay. Later that day while I was driving on the free way a red flash symbol with lines between it began flashing on my car and my car wouldn’t drive over 20 mph. I pulled over. Shortly after I turned my car back on and it began driving semi normal and I was able to get home. I tried out my car the next day and in the morning the same thing happened again. The red flash symbol with 2 lines on the side of it began flashing on my dashboard and my car wouldn’t go over 20 mph. I’m not sure what the issue is but when I looked up what the red flashing symbol, I noticed a few others who had a similar experience with their 2008 Chrysler Sebring which made me want to look up whether there was a recall and I found out there was but when I searched whether my car was eligible through my VIN number it said there was none unrepaired.

The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact waited for a while for the vehicle to cool off before being able to operate the vehicle as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the alternator, battery, and TIPM however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.

My TPS light has been on for quite some time and after a short time since the first time it appeared my issue worsens everyday. My car STALLS, not only when I am stopped at a light, but even when I am driving at high speeds and the Check Engine light stays on all the time and blinks and dings at times and now the airbag light is on as well and blinks and dings all the time while the car is started. I took the car to get check for error codes, but none come up when the diagnostics is ran.

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 174,000.

AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT LOSS OF POWER WILL OCCUR AND MOTOR WILL SHUT OFF. ANYTIME ON THE FREEWAY OR PARKED. OCCASIONALLY AT RANDOM INTERVALS CAR WILL CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START IT WILL TURN OVER APPROPRIATELY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V473000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,197.

THE DOOR LOCKING MACHANIZISM HAS FAILED . THE AIR BAG LITE STAYS ON...

AIR BAG LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKING MECHANIZISM FAILING

THE DOOR LOCKING MACHANIZISM HAS FAILED . THE AIR BAG LITE STAYS ON...

MY WIN MODULE IS NO GOOD OR MY CARS COMPUTER. WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR SHUTS OFF.

THE VEHICLE STALLS AND JERKS BACK FOR UP TO 2 SECONDS. HOWEVER, THESE TWO SECONDS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ON A ROADWAY AS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK

FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER-SUB FRAME TOTALLY RUSTED OUT, CAR HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT, WAS GARAGE KEPT A LOT, CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND SUB FRAME IS ONLY THING RUSTED OUT, PARTS AROUND IT LOOKS NEW, LOOK AT PICTURE, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR IT,NEVER SEEN ANYTHING RUST LIKE THIS,VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING LIKE THIS