REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chrysler Sebring steering problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Chrysler Sebring in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Sebring has a notorious defect in the steering-wheel horn pad assembly. The horn activates randomly while the vehicle is parked, driven, or when owners press the remote unlock button or adjust the wheel. It won't stop until the driver pulls over and either adjusts the steering wheel, presses the horn pad, or removes the fuse controlling it. Multiple owners have disabled the horn permanently by pulling the fuse because Chrysler charges $800–$1,000 to replace the horn pad assembly—a dealer-only part. Pulling the fuse disables the airbag and compromises other safety systems including the fueling circuit, according to owners.
Suspension failures are equally serious. The front control arm and ball joints deteriorate and can collapse without warning, with ball studs separating from their sockets and wheels folding inward or completely detaching. One owner was making a slow turn when the control arm fell to the ground and the tire went completely sideways, stopping the car dead. Another lost steering power at 8 mph when the ball stud failed catastrophically. A third experienced brake failure at 40 mph—brakes didn't respond, steering locked, and the car could not be stopped before hitting another vehicle. Airbags failed to deploy in that crash.
One owner reported a one-inch crack in the steering wheel at the airbag. Another lost complete steering control during a slow turn, and yet another experienced violent shaking of the front left wheel under braking. Chrysler has issued no recalls for most of these failures, and dealerships have told owners their VINs are not covered despite identical complaints online.
Same Chrysler Sebring steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Horn pad assembly electrical fault—random honking
The horn activates intermittently without driver input, controlled by a steering-wheel-integrated sensor in the horn pad assembly. Owners report the horn engaging while parked, while driving, when pressing remote unlock buttons, or when adjusting the steering wheel. The fault is traced to the horn pad assembly, a dealer-only component that integrates the airbag and horn. Multiple owners disabled the horn by removing the fuse, sacrificing horn function and airbag protection to stop the nuisance.
When: 2–54,000 miles; some reports on vehicles 2–3 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Horn sounds randomly while parked or unoccupied; Horn sounds randomly while driving; Horn activates when unlocking vehicle remotely; Horn activates when adjusting steering wheel; Horn will not stop until vehicle is stopped, wheel adjusted, or fuse removed
Repairs/costs cited: $800–$1,000 parts and labor; horn pad assembly replacement required; dealer-only part
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated no warranty coverage for horn; no recall issued despite over 49–70 complaints reported online
Steering wheel crack at airbag
A one-inch crack appears in the center of the steering wheel where the airbag is housed. The crack was reported to the dealer.
When: 54,757 miles
Symptoms owners cite: One-inch crack in center of steering wheel at airbag location
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer notified; no further action documented
Front control arm and ball joint deterioration—suspension collapse
The front control arm and ball joints deteriorate, causing a loss of structural integrity in the front suspension. In severe cases, the ball stud separates from the socket, causing the control arm to collapse and the wheel to fold inward. One case involved complete wheel detachment. These failures create sudden loss of steering control and can occur at highway speeds.
When: 115,000 miles and higher (mileage not always reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from front end when turning; Steering wheel noise; Ball stud separates from socket in ball joint housing; Control arm collapses; Wheel folds inward or detaches; Power steering seizes; Sudden loss of steering control; Tire suddenly sideways
Repairs/costs cited: Front control arm replacement; ball joint replacement; CVC joint replacement mentioned in one case; Federal Mogul ball joint/control arm assembly cited as replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some vehicles not covered by NHTSA campaign 09E056000 (Suspension); some owners reported no recall available for their VIN despite similar failures
Brake failure with steering lockup and airbag non-deployment
While driving at 40 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but brakes did not respond. The vehicle accelerated independently and the steering wheel locked, preventing turns. The vehicle could not be stopped and crashed into the vehicle ahead. Airbags failed to deploy. The owner sustained neck, internal stomach, and head injuries.
When: 177,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but brakes do not respond; Vehicle accelerates independently; Steering wheel will not turn left or right; Failure occurred without warning; Airbags did not deploy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no open recalls
Loss of steering control while turning
The driver lost control of the steering wheel while making a slow-speed turn. The vehicle nearly struck other vehicles and a pole before hitting a sidewalk. The vehicle remained drivable afterward, but the driver did not feel safe operating it. The owner reported seeing a related recall online but the dealership stated no recall applied to their VIN.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering control while turning at low speed; Vehicle nearly struck other vehicles and structures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated no applicable recall for the owner's VIN, despite owner's research suggesting a related recall existed
Front left wheel shaking under braking
The front left wheel shakes excessively whenever the brakes are applied. No further diagnostic information was provided by the owner.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Front left wheel shakes when brakes are applied
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2006 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 steering problem on the 2006 Chrysler Sebring?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 74,000 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 74,000; a quarter make it past 121,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2006/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.