- #38 of 97
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Be very careful before you buy the 2008 Sebring
by phillypa
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Aug 26, 2007 (3:36 pm)
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I have a 2001 Sebring Limited and it has held up well. When I needed something a little more dependable I bought the 2008 Sebring Touring. Big Mistake so far. It's left me stranded twice and I've only had it for 3,000 miles and 3 months. When I put the roof down, the trunk didn't close. It is left open like a big sail. I called the dealership and they instructed me to call roadside assistance. Roadside assistance refused to tow it in fear of damaging the trunk. You can't leave it sit wide open - theft - weather - etc. So the only thing to do is drive it very slow home. Hopefully you're not far from home. It's been well over three weeks and they can't fix it - "bad parts" by the manufacturer. The dealership manually closed the roof so I could drive it, but I'm instructed not to put the roof down. I'm also told that it will be several more weeks before they can look at it again. Be real careful if your looking to buy this car. This is a major engineering problem and makes the car very unreliable.
Besides this it runs smooth, but the 2.7 engine is very sluggish. It has to work real hard to get up to highway speed. The 2001 limited has a lot more power.
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- #39 of 97
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Many Owners Have Same Problems
by jackieh2
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Aug 31, 2007 (4:20 pm)
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I purchased a 2008 Sebring Touring, V6, with all the options, on July 11, 2007. Before I drove it off the dealer's lot, I experienced problems with the driver's side visor hanging loose and the trim to which it is attached--also not fastened down. The electronics had big problems: the remote start and remote top didn't work, the trunk didn't close properly, causing other problems. I drove it home with instructions to take it back next day. Since then, the car has been in and out of the dealership while they wait for "fixes" from Chrysler. I've been without it for a total of 33 days, as of today. The thing that scares me: the spontaneous operation of the convertible top--when the car is in motion. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. The dealer's service manager is at a loss on how to correct the problems and Chrysler is no help. My calls to Chrysler's customer service department is another story. Check out the other owner comments on Topix...this car is bad news. My dealer has been great and I'm on my third rental car (at someone's expense). I've filed a complaint under my state's (VA) Lemon Law. I don't even know if I want another 2008 Sebring convertible at this point. There are problems with them nationwide--the engineering of that fancy folding roof is seriously flawed. And closing the trunk takes a lot of muscle--difficult for a 5' 0' female.
Think twice before buying this nightmare. Learn from others' mistakes.
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- #40 of 97
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Suggestion
by jackieh2
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Aug 31, 2007 (4:24 pm)
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If you have one of these cars, make sure you carry a big tarp in the trunk in case the top gets stuck in the up position.
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- #41 of 97
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Re: Suggestion [jackieh2]
by kimberlyp
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Sep 07, 2007 (4:27 pm)
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Replying to: jackieh2 (Aug 31, 2007 4:24 pm)
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS YOU WITH THIS CAR THAT I THOUGHT WAS OH SO GREAT. THESE SUPPOSED PARTS THAT ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER CAME IN AND WERE REPLACED IN MY CAR TODAY. I JUST GOT IT BACK AND THE TOP IS STILL BROKEN. I DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING ANYONE IS TELLING ME AT THE DEALERSHIP ANYMORE. AT LEAST YOU GOT A RENTAL, NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING FOR ME, NOT EVEN CHRYSLER. I AM GOING TO BE WRITING A LETTER TO THEM AND CC'ING IT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I'VE HAD THE CAR 3 MONTHS AND HAVE ONLY USED THE TOP DOWN 2 WEEKS IN THE BEGINNING. I ALSO HAD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU BECAUSE I KNOW I NEED IT!
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- #42 of 97
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2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue
by jackieh2
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Sep 08, 2007 (4:01 am)
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Replying to: kimberlyp (Sep 07, 2007 4:27 pm)
KimberlyP: I picked up my Sebring from the dealer again yesterday--for the fourth time. The dealership has been nothing short of GREAT. I feel that Chrysler isn't supporting the dealers on this. I told the sales director that if I have to take it back in again, I WANT MY MONEY BACK. I've filed a complaint under the Virginia Lemon Law and it is clear--multiple attempts (in my case four) to fix the problem OR 30 days TOTAL in the shop. Yesterday was day 39 for me and I just bought the piece of junk on July 11. Chrysler tried to call me yesterday re. "complaint resolution" but now we're playing telephone tag. Even though your dealer is uncooperative, go to your state consumer affairs. Every state has a Lemon Law and they are pretty specific--there is a booklet on your Lemon Law rights in the owner's package you got with the car. These are known problems and Chrysler hasn't a let to stand on. No wonder their market share is in the dump. My dealer has only sold two of this model and both have had problems. Suggestion: Google Lemon Laws for your state if the booklet isn't in your package. Good luck. I wish I could make this problem known nationwide. Don't give up and don't put up with the dealer's c**p. Have you tried to contact Chryser?
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- #43 of 97
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Re: 2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue [jackieh2]
by kimberlyp
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Sep 08, 2007 (10:26 am)
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Replying to: jackieh2 (Sep 08, 2007 4:01 am)
JACKIEH2: I HAVE TRIED TO DEAL WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD ME BASICALLY, SORRY, CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU, CALL THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THE LADY IT'S NOT THE DEALERSHIPS FAULT THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE THEIR PARTS RIGHT AND THAT THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT'S THREE TIMES IN IT'S THE LEMON LAW. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, SATURDAY, I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AND I AM NOW GETTING A LOANER ON MONDAY. FINALLY. THE FIRST TIME I CALLED CHYRSLER THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED AND I TOLD THEM JUST FIX THE CAR RIGHT AND THEY ASKED PERMANENTLY? WHAT A STUPID QUESTION. NOW I'M BEGINNING TO THINK I SHOULD HAVE SAID JUST GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK. GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS GO. I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH.
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- #44 of 97
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Re: 2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue [kimberlyp]
by jackieh2
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Sep 09, 2007 (5:16 am)
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Replying to: kimberlyp (Sep 08, 2007 10:26 am)
Kimberly: If you haven't already done so, start a claim through Florida's Lemon Law. I started documenting everything from the day I picked up the vehicle with a number of factory defects. I sent a written, certified mail complaint to Chrysler and kept a chronological report of dates and incidents. After the third trip to the dealership and 30+ days out of service, I filed a claim with VA consumer affairs. Even though I've had the car back for two days and the top elecrtonics haven't malfunctioned, I letting the claim stand. My gut feeling is to ask for a full refund as I have no confidence in this vehicle. Again, I have to say my dealership has been superb in working with me, providing me a string of rental cars, and keeping me notified of any progress. I've also sent a message to Consumer's Union suggesting an investigation of this model/year.
My dealings with Chrysler's customer service have not been a positive experience. Good luck.
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- #45 of 97
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Re: 2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue [kimberlyp]
by mikebuckley
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Sep 09, 2007 (3:09 pm)
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Replying to: kimberlyp (Sep 08, 2007 10:26 am)
Kimberly,
The best thing you can do is to get a signed receipt from the dealer that they have fixed it. Don't test it before you drive it off their lot. Test it later. If it doesn't work, take it back in again. Do that repeatedly until they have fixed it three times and it has failed your test four times. You can then file a formal complaint regarding the lemon law.
Complaining to the Better Business Bureau will likely yield absolutely nothing.
You'll probably get more and better responses if you don't type your posts in upper-case letters. The Netiquette is that that's the equivalent of screaming.
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- #46 of 97
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Re: 2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue [jackieh2]
by phillypa
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Sep 10, 2007 (11:12 am)
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Replying to: jackieh2 (Sep 08, 2007 4:01 am)
For a while I thought I was the only one having this problem. It's now five weeks that my roof/trunk have been broken and no arrangements to get it fixed. They closed it so it can be driven, I just can't put the roof down. The dealership that sold it to me has now gone out of business. The Chrysler franchise was given to another dealership and they have not been able to schedule a repair date. I told them I was going to file under the lemon law - it's been in the shop three times and still not fixed. They asked to be given a chance to fix it. It's not that I don't trust them, I think this is just a bad car and I don't want it for another five years. I agree with with jackieh2 - protect yourself and file under the lemon law. Jackieh2 - I was surprised to see that you can close the trunk - when I read the manual it said it was very difficult and that you need a special tool?
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- #47 of 97
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Re: 2008 Sebring Conv. Problems Continue [mikebuckley]
by kimberlyp
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Sep 10, 2007 (4:00 pm)
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Replying to: mikebuckley (Sep 09, 2007 3:09 pm)
mikebuckley: Sorry about the cap locks, just used to having it on. Anyway, I talked to someone about the Lemon Law and was told that I would probably only be refunded money that I put into it, but that wouldn't include the trade-in. I got a rental from the dealership today and they said that the new parts they put in blew the motor and the switches (which they replaced the first time). They said my car should be ready tomorrow, we'll see how it goes. Jackieh: Glad to hear everything is going good with your car for the past two days. I will do the same in writing a certified letter to Chrysler. Since they have not helped you, I feel they will do the same for me, nothing.
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