This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I had the vehicle in 2 weeks prior to 7/9/01 for regular service and a recall on the boots, the right being worse than the left side. I also complained about the rear end swaying when I drive over a rough road. There was no even flow. It turned out the inner tie rod ends had to be replaced. Within 2 days of receiving the vehicle back there was still a sway in the rear end but not as bad. I parked the car for 6 days because I used my father's new vehicle. When I used the car again especially on 7/9/01 I made a right hand turn into a parking lot and heard a loud metal thumping sound. I heard the sound again when I applied the brakes to stop. I brought the vehicle back to my residence and noticed the strut not only came undone but also broke the body frame under the front right wheel well. Vehicle was flat bedded back to dealership where they thought work could be done. Unfortunately, it had to go to an auto body shop. I am waiting to hear from body shop to see how this job will be done as well as what expense it will be to me. I saw on NHTSA's web site under complaints that there were 5 other complaints about the noise as well as the strut actually breaking off. I called to complain to crash, a data base site for vehicle problems who advised me they had just taken the same report on the same side on a Dodge neon. I do not understand how this strut broke. When I asked the dealership how this happened, they advised me normal wear & tear. Now I am in the insurance business for 12 years and have owned 2 other vehicles in my life, this is not a "normal" wear and tear. You have to have a serious car accident with extensive front end damage for the possibility of this to happen. I have also noticed that all the recalls that Chrysler has had on the Sebrings in particular, are mainly the front suspension. Maybe there was a problem whith manufacturing. I am extremely disappointed. I could have been seriously injured.
Front suspension would wearout excessively. Front wheel bearings had to be replaced. Also, lower left ball joint/ outer tie rod end/ sway bar link, and bushings were replaced by mechanic. In addition, head gaskets were leaking water and oil, and they were replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Riverhead, NY, USA