Air bag warning light comes on and off intermittening while drivering
2005 Chrysler Sebring airbags problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 17 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Chrysler Sebring, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2005 Sebring's airbag system is a known source of trouble: the horn cycles uncontrollably because it's wired through the airbag assembly (costing $730–800 to fix), warning lights stay on due to sensor and tensioner issues, and three owners reported complete airbag non-deployment in crashes. Steer clear unless you can confirm recent recall work and get pre-purchase airbag diagnostics.
The 2005 Sebring airbag system shows three distinct problem patterns.
Horn malfunction dominates the complaints. Owners report the horn activating continuously and unpredictably—sometimes for minutes at a time—with or without the engine running. The root issue: Chrysler integrated the horn switch into the airbag assembly, so repair requires replacing the entire airbag pad for $730–$800. Parts routinely backorder, and Chrysler has refused to issue a recall despite the pattern. One owner bypassed the problem with a $5 aftermarket switch installed under the turn signal lever.
Airbag warning lights stay on constantly or flicker intermittently, appearing as early as 49,000 miles. Dealers trace these to faulty airbag modules, seat belt tensioners, and electronic sensors. A 2015 recall (Campaign 15V338000) addressed airbag issues, but owners reported repair parts remained unavailable indefinitely.
Complete airbag non-deployment in crashes is the most serious issue. Three owners reported frontal impacts at 35–60 mph where neither front airbag deployed. Two incidents included fuel tank rupture and fire. Vehicles were totaled; one had police and fire department documentation.
Together, these failures paint a picture of a defective airbag system that puts safety at risk.
Same Chrysler Sebring airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Horn malfunction with airbag interconnect
Horn activates independently and continuously, sometimes for several minutes, with or without the vehicle running. The horn switch is integrated into the airbag assembly, requiring full airbag replacement to repair. Repair cost quoted at $730–$800.
When: Various mileages: 29,000–64,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Horn blows intermittently or continuously for extended periods; Horn may activate during night, causing disturbance; Horn becomes inoperable or unreliable when it is needed; Horn activates with vehicle on or off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend replacement of horn pad and airbag assembly; parts sometimes backordered. One owner installed a manual aftermarket switch under turn signal lever (~$4–5 parts cost) as a workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer service unresponsive to requests for recall coverage; no recall issued for horn defect.
Airbag warning light illumination
Airbag warning indicator lights up on the dashboard, either constantly or intermittently. Causes reported include faulty driver-side airbag, seat belt tensioner failure, and electronic sensor malfunction. Owners report uncertainty about repair requirements and delayed recalls.
When: Various mileages: 49,000–126,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates while parked or while driving; Warning light turns on and off intermittently; Warning light may appear after vehicle goes through puddle or water
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed electronic sensor needing replacement; another diagnosed faulty driver airbag; one identified seat belt tensioner issue. Repair not completed in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaign 15V338000 issued for airbags; however, repair parts were unavailable for extended periods with no estimated delivery date provided.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
In three reported crash incidents at moderate speeds (35–60 mph), front airbags failed to deploy. One involved a wheel fracture at 60 mph leading to guard rail impact and fuel tank rupture with fire; another was a spin-out at 40 mph into guard rail with fire; a third was a 35–40 mph frontal impact.
When: Mileages: 123,000 miles (one incident); other incidents not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy on frontal impact; Vehicle catches fire after crash impact; Fuel tank rupture with fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled and destroyed in all three reported incidents; no repair information available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no information on remedial action provided in complaints.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler sebring coupe. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v338000 (air bags) was received in august of 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler sebring. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000. Updated 2/4/16 *cn the check engine light illuminated. Updated 02/16/16*jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler sebring. While driving at an unknown speed, the horn activated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the driver side air bag was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 6/22/15*cn updated 9/1/2017*cn
When you push the horn it will not turn off. I pulled the fuse out so that I would not have to deal with the horn having a mind of its own. My fix was to purchase a switch about $4-5 at the auto store and rewire the horn in on my own. It looks a little tacky, I put the switch under the turn signal, but it is far better than being in traffic or at a light and having the horn go off for 5 minutes.…
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Chrysler Sebring?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Chrysler Sebring?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 49,000 and 88,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,000; a quarter make it past 88,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chrysler/Sebring.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.