2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

ON FRIDAY JUNE 11, 2010, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. MY CAR, A CHRYSLER 2001 SEBRING LXI FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I STEERED THE CAR AWAY FROM REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AVOIDING A CRASH. HOWEVER, I STEERED MY CAR BETWEEN TWO LANES OF STATIONARY TRAFFIC.WHILE GOING INTO TRAFFIC EXITING OFF HIGHWAY 270. I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. MY CAR MADE CONTACT WITH A MINI VAN. MY PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR STRUCK THE MINI VAN CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE MINI VAN AND MY CAR. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY. THE DRIVER OF THE MINI VAN AND I EXCHANGED INFORMATION AND I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY CAR TO MY HOME. THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY JUNE 16, 2010.. FARMERS INSURANCE ADJUSTER PAUL GALLAGHER CONTACTED ME. I RECEIVED A RENT-A-CAR FROM ENTERPRISE LEASING. TODAY, JUNE 16, I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER COPORATION TO VOICE MY COMPLAINT AND I WAS TOLD THAT A CONTACT INVESTIGATOR WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 3 DAYS. I TOLD THEM I NEED AUTHORIZATION FOR A RENT-A-CAR WHILE THEY INVESTIGATE THE CRASH. I ASKED THAT A SUPERVISOR CONTACT ME TO ADVISE ABOUT THE RENT-A-CAR. SHORTLY AFTER, I WAS CONTACTED BY THE SUPERVISOR AND HE TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND I WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER. I WENT ONLINE AND CONTACTED YOUR AGENCY AND FOUND THAT CHRYSLER KNEW THAT MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI, WAS ON THE RECALL LIST SINCE NOVEMBER 2000. I WOULD LIKE YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER BECAUSE MY GRANDDAUGHTER, THE DRIVER OF THE MINI VAN, AND MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. I NEED COOPERATION FROM CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I WILL CONTACT MY ADJUSTER TO INFORM HIM OF THE RECALL NOTICE THAT I DISCOVERED ON YOUR WEBSITE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THAT CAR AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES AND IS IN MINT CONDITION. I HAVE RECORDS OF EVERY OIL CHANGE AND OTHER REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. I NEED HELP. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

IN AUG 2003 I HAD MY BRAKES DONE, I WAS PLANNING ON JUST CHANGING THE PADS AND TURNING THE ROTORS BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE BELOW MIN SPECS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SO I REPLACED THEM NOW IN APRIL 2004 I HAD MY CAR IN FOR IT'S REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND HAD THEM DO A BRAKE INSPECTION BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SHAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT ALL 4 ROTORS WERE BELOW MIN SPEC AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEY HAD DEEP GROVES IN THEM. I'M NOT A CRAZY DRIVER I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SPEEDING TICKET OR ACCIDENTS. EVER. I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THESE GROVES OR WHY I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MY ROTORS FOR THE 2ND TIME WITH A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 42K MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THESE DEEP GROVES AND HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THEM FIXED YET AS I CAN'T AFFORD IT. *LA

Mileage: 36,000

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD ITS THIRD REPAIR IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH BRAKE PEDAL FELL APART, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A TEMPORARY CONCRETE WALL IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND ARMS.*AK THE RUBBER GRIP ON THE BRAKES POPPED OFF WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CONSUMER NOTED THE AIR BAGS WERE A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE TWO SENSORS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. (FATHER ON BEHALF ON SON). *PH

Mileage: 24,000

NARY 05/21/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, REAR WINDOW SEALANT LOOSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *CB

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES SYSTEM AND STATED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. *JB

Mileage: 1,200

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED CAUSING EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. MR

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL POSITIONS ARE TOO CLOSE. ON 10/01/02 CONSUMER WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND UNBEKNOWNST THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND A MINOR COLLISON OCCURRED. NLM

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKES WER APPLIED. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR 9 MONTHS. BRAKES WERE VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY WHEN APPLIED. IN 06/01 AT 11000 MILES DEALER CUT ROTORS, REPLACED CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS. 2 MONTHS LATER, BRAKES WERE VIBRATING AGAIN. CONSUMER CAN NOT FULLY APPLY BRAKES. *AK

TRIED TO STOP APPROX. 1 MONTH AGO AND FIRST APPLIED BARKES, WENT TO FLOOR. I RELEASED THEM AND APPLIED THEM A SECOND TIME AND THEY STOPPED ME BUT TO AVOID A REAREND ACCIDENT, I VEERED MY CAR TO THE SHOULDER. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF TUPELO AUTO SALES THEY ASKED ME WHERE THE CAR WAS. I TOLD THEM THAT IT ONLY FAILED THE ONE TIME SO I WAS JUST CAUTIOUS AS I DROVE ON INTO WORK. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIND UNTIL IT MESSED UP MORE OFTEN SO THEY COULD SEE THE PROBLEM. I HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL DEC. 5TH ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK..I STARTED HEARING A CLANKING SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS HAVING A FLAT TIRE SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK. THE TIRES APPEARED TO BE FINE. I WAS ONLY A MILE OR SO FROM HOME SO I DROVE ON HOME. ONCE HOME, I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AND THE WHEELS BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING DIFFERENT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE CAR SEEMED OK. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY FIRST STOP SIGN WHICH IS AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL, I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND AGAIN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE SECOND TIME I APPLIED THEM, THEY CAUGHT AND I STOPPED. I TURNED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND TRAVELLED ABOUT 150 FEET AND THE FRONT (SEEMING) LOCKED UP SIMILAR TO THE WAY IT DOES WHEN YOU PLACE A CAR IN PARK AND CUT OFF THE KEY. I WAS HEADED TO THE RIGHT ONTO THE SOFT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS FIGHTING THE CAR BECAUSE I WAS HEADED FOR THE DITCH AND AN ELECTRICAL GENERATOR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING OR BRAKES (?) BROKE LOOSE, SENDING ME INTO AN ONCOMING PICKUP, THE PICKUP HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR, THEN THE TRUCK HIT A VAN WHICH WAS FOLLOWING ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY STEERING LOCKED AND MY BRAKES FAILED, ALL WITHIN 1 1/2 MILES OF MY HOUSE. CHRYSLER HAS SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR TODAY, BUT EVEN HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND A PROBLEM THAT ONLY HAPPENS PERIODICALLY. NOW, EVEN IF THE CAR IS REPAIRED, I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I HAD NO BLEMISH ON MY DRIVING RECORD. *AK

BOTH REAR DUST SHIELDS ARE BENT, THE DEALER REPOSITIONED THE SHIELD FOR PROPER OPERATION, THE CONSUMER SAYS THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, THE DEALER CONFIRMED BRAKE DUST AND SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION. NLM

BOTH REAR DUST SHIELDS ARE BENT, THE DEALER REPOSITIONED THE SHIELD FOR PROPER OPERATION, THE CONSUMER SAYS THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, THE DEALER CONFIRMED BRAKE DUST AND SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION. NLM

BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELARATOR ARE DESIGN TO CLOSE, RESULTIN IN HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES.

WHILE WASHING CAR CONSUMER NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT CAMBERS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DEALER SAID REAR TOE AND CAMBERS WERE OUT OF RANGE, SO THEY SET REAR AND FRONT TOE. 4 DAYS LATER, NOTICED DUST AGAIN. CONSUMER STATED SAME PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED FOR LAST MONTH. *AK THE SEAL AROUND THE REAR WINDOW IS LEAKING. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. FLUID LEAK FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. DEALER STATES EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ABOUT 65 MPH THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE. CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN. THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER IN OCALA, FL, AND THE DEALER REPLACED BRAKE CALIPER BOLT WHICH HAD FALLEN OFF. *AK *SLC

BRAKE CALIPER BOLT BROKE OFF BRAKES WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVLING ON ROAD. THE DEALER DID FIX PROBLEM FOR NOW.*AK THE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT BROKE OFF CAUSING A RUMBLING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS FIXED. *YH

WHEN COMING OUT OF CAR WASH BRAKES FAILED, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. DEALER FOUND LOTS OF BRAKE DUST. THIS HAS CONSUMER WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IN RAIN. *AK

THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL 00V-320 OF THE FUEL RETURN HOSE. NLM