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2006 Chrysler Sebring Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Chrysler Sebring has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Crankshaft oil seal leak from missing thrust bearing.” 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.

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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.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Chrysler Sebring.

Reported to NHTSA

Crankshaft oil seal leak from missing thrust bearing

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2009-01 → 2015-07

“I HAVE A 2006 SEBRING WITH A 2.4L ENGINE THAT HAS HAD THE SEALS REPLACED TWICE AND IT STILL KEPT POURING OIL. MY ORIGINAL MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE HE COULD DO AND THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10369710
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10258469
“2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO OIL LEAK IN VEHICLE ENGINE AREA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED ON JANUARY 27, 2015 AFTER WHICH, AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10743257

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spontaneous horn activation from airbag clock spring fault

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

79 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2017-10

“IN THE BEGINNING, THE HORN WOULD SOUND RANDOMLY WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNTIL WE ADJUSTED THE STEERING WHEEL OR PUSHED ON THE HORN. HOWEVER, NOW THE HORN SOUNDS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633445
“IN MARCH OR SO OF 2011, WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN JUST GOES OFF FOR NO REASON WHATSOVER AND WOULD NOT STOP. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT ITS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCKSPRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10573200
“THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVER OF THE CAR THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD WITH THEM! I WAS JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HORN STARTING GOING OFF ALL BY ITSELF. FINALLY TOOK OUT THE FUSE. THE HORN JUST GOES OFF RANDOMLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10547953

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front ball joint separation from control arm

SUSPENSION

15 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2023-05

“Front ball joint came off and caused car to come to crash into road. It is now in a repair shop where I had it towed as it was causing problems sitting on road. If I had been going faster I m not sure how serious a problem to me or others on road it would cause”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433510
“BALL JOINT AND BALL STUD, SEPARATED AND BROKEN, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS OCCURED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10909500
“TURNED CORNER AT LESS THAN MPH AND HEARD A THUNK AND CAR SLAMMED TO SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP SENDING MY SON AND I FLYING FORWARD TOWARD WINDSHIELD. GOT OUT OF CAR AND TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SIDEWAYS AND CONTROL ARM ON GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10724521

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy in frontal collision

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2005-12 → 2021-10

“WE WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ALTHOUGH WE WERE HIT IN THE FRONT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096845
“DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO DITCH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL CUTS AND BRUISING, A FRACTURED FOOT, AND TEETH CAME OUT. THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10144230
“The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while he was at a drive-through”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435429

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag deployment with debris and chemical exposure

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2025-07

“My passenger airbag spontaneously deployed without an impact when it was parked. This shattered the windshield and expelled plastic dashboard pieces and glass everywhere. My daughter and I had just exited the car so there were no injuries”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11672600
“At the time of collision the airbags did not deploy correctly. The airbag seems to have burst at the seams and projectlies of debris and chemicals came from the air bag instead. I hit my head on the windshield and hit my chest on steering wheel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11630942
“The contact stated that the vehicle had a burning odor and lots of smoke. The Police and paramedics were at the crash scene. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11628343

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat belt retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2024-12

“This is part of complaint 11630942. The incident on Nov 25, 2024. These are two separate complaints which occurred in the same crash that resulted in serious injuries. In the event of the crash the seatbelt failed to restrain me”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11632864
“Drivers side seat belt Does Not Retract”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423573
“FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11326529

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

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.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

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.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

126 crashes 1990–2024

How the 126 occupant deaths break down

93

driver deaths

33

passenger deaths

126

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 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.

Why we show driver deaths too

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.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

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 2006 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.

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