2005 Chrysler Sebring Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Chrysler Sebring has a complaint index of 38, the 6th worst of 9 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Sebring years. NHTSA lists 75 complaints, 3 recalls, and a median failure mileage of 72,500 miles, with airbags and electrical issues as top concerns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #6 of 9 Sebring years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 75
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2005 Chrysler Sebring problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags21 (28%)
- Electrical System21 (28%)
- Engine16 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (11%)
- Steering7 (9%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Fuel System5 (7%)
- Other3 (4%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front wheels have fractured or broken away from the vehicle while driving around 60 mph, in one case rupturing the fuel tank and causing a fire.
- Airbags failed to deploy during crashes at speeds near 35 to 40 mph, including a spin-out that ended in a guard rail collision and fire.
- The right steering knuckle broke, causing sudden loss of steering control and a crash before the related recall remedy was available.
- The transmission has shifted into reverse unexpectedly when the shifter was bumped without the key in the ignition, causing the vehicle to move forward into a structure.
- Brakes have locked up unexpectedly on wet roads, leading to a crash at a stop light.
- The fuel pump connector burned out, causing the engine to stall until the contact replaced the part.
2005 Chrysler Sebring recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V338000Jun 2, 2015Airbags443,442 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. 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.
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
- NHTSA 04V579000Dec 9, 2004Steering26,354 vehicles
Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm
On certain sedans and convertible model vehicles, the right steering knuckle may have been damaged during the component manufacturing process.
Risk: This could cause the steering knuckle to crack and separate from the upper control arm, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right steering knuckle. The recall began on december 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 04V532000Nov 2, 2004Seat Belts8,000 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
On certain sedans, the left and right rear outboard retractor and turning loop bolts on the seat belts may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the affected fasteners. The recall began on november 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2005 Chrysler Sebring fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chrysler Sebring reliable?
- Compared with other Sebring model years, the 2005 rates Good, with a complaint index of 38 and rank 6th worst out of 9 years tracked. It has fewer complaints (75) than the 2006-2010 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chrysler Sebring?
- NHTSA data shows airbags and the electrical system each account for 28% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 21% and suspension, wheels and tires at 13%.
- Does the 2005 Chrysler Sebring have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Sebring: an airbag tether strap recall, a steering knuckle recall, and a seat belt retractor bolt recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Chrysler Sebring should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2007 and 2008 Sebring are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 88 respectively, both far higher than the 2005's index of 38.
- At what mileage do 2005 Sebring problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 72,500 miles, though transmission issues showed a lower median of 56,033.5 miles.