Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1997 vs 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 23.8% more reports in the equal exposure window

1997 206 complaints 1998 255 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1997 share 1998 share Share change
STRUCTURE 5.3% 22.0% ▲ 16.6 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 10.7% 3.1% ▼ 7.5 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 10.7% 6.7% ▼ 4.0 pts smaller share
ENGINE 8.7% 5.1% ▼ 3.6 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 10.7% 7.1% ▼ 3.6 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6.8% 3.9% ▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.5% 3.1% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 10.7% 9.0% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7.3% 5.9% ▼ 1.4 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 1.5% 2.8% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
STEERING 2.4% 3.5% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 9.7% 10.6% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 3.9% 4.3% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING not reported 0.4% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
WHEELS 4.9% 5.1% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 72.8% 77.3% ▲ 4.4 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 11

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEATS, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

1998 10

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
4 → 5
◆ Injuries
20 → 23