The 1999 Chrysler Sebring has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front lower ball joint and control arm failure.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1999 Chrysler Sebring.
SUSPENSION
13 NHTSA complaints · 2001-07 → 2014-04
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS FAULTY”
“LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATED”
“LOUD CLICK SOUND FROM THE FRONT WHEELS WHEN SHIFTING FRONT PARK TO DRIVE, WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CHRYSLER MECHANIC AS LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR ON BOTH SIDES”
POWER TRAIN
20 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2005-10
“THE MECHANIC FOUND A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSED BY THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THE KEEPER PIN SEPARATING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION”
“TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AFTER INSPECTION DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WITHIN TRANSMISSION”
“MECHANIC FOUND METAL FLAKES IN TRANSMISSION FLUID, TRANSMISSON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
POWER TRAIN
9 NHTSA complaints · 2001-10 → 2006-05
“THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR SHIFTER WILL NOT STAY IN PARK AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION”
“THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE IGNITION KEY AND THE GEAR SHIFT IS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION AND CHANGE GEARS”
“WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF,VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO REVERSE GEAR, ROLLING BACK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, AND STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE”
WHEELS
11 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2004-01
“WHEELS ON THIS CAR ARE TOO SOFT AND BEND EASILY. WHEN BENT BADLY ENOUGH, THEY LOSE THE SEAL ON THE TIRE AND CAUSE A BLOWOUT”
“THE RIMS ON MY 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING BEND VERY EASY. I HAVE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS AND 5 FLAT TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS”
“RIMS ON VEHICLE BENT VERY EASILY. WHEN RIMS BENT, IT CAUSED BEAD BETWEEN RIM AND TIRE TO SEPARATE/ TIRES STARTED TO LOSE AIR, AND GO FLAT”
STRUCTURE
12 NHTSA complaints · 1999-08 → 2005-10
“THE PLASTIC CLIP IN THE DOOR PANEL BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR PANEL TO FALL OFF”
“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING 45MPH”
“DOOR PANELS FLEW OFF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE CONSUMER HAS OWNED CAR”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2002-11 → 2006-01
“IN SEPT. 2003 MY DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE-OFF. WITHIN 3 WEEKS, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE AS WELL”
“WHILE OPENING THE DRIVER 'S DOOR, THE HANDLE FELL OFF. TWO WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE FELL OFF AS WELL”
“WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED FROM VEHICLE, CONSUMER IS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8 NHTSA complaints · 2000-06 → 2014-09
“WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED”
“CONSUMER WENT TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE ,PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE”
“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED UNTIL HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION”
AIR BAGS
11 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2008-03
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
“WHEN VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS”
“WHILE DRIVING 35- 40 MPH VEHICLE HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
165 crashes 1990–2024
How the 165 occupant deaths break down
126
driver deaths
39
passenger deaths
165
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
25
complaints mentioning a crash
6
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.