Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler sebring. A month after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle would vibrate when shifting gears at 20-40 MPH. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle would accelerate on its own. The vehicle was driven to the dealer on several occasions, but the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The mechanic performed diagnostic testing…
2008 Chrysler Sebring cruise control problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
6crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 26 cruise control complaints filed for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 4 model years of Chrysler Sebring we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 26.
Owners have filed 26 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Sebrings consistently report unintended acceleration that strikes without warning. Vehicle will suddenly accelerate while stopped at lights, in parking lots, or at low speeds—sometimes with the driver's foot on the brake—causing crashes into poles, safety rails, ditches, and other vehicles. One owner lost three fingers in a tree collision; another struck a semi-trailer on the highway. The acceleration is violent enough that brakes often cannot stop the car.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) light failures are equally serious. The warning light comes on and the vehicle simultaneously loses all power, stalls, or limits speed to 20 mph on the highway. Owners report rough idle with RPM surging to 2000+ rpm, sometimes stranding them. One owner had to restart the car seven times on a 700-mile trip. Cruise control in one case failed to disengage; the driver had to slam brakes, lost control, and crashed.
Stalling occurs randomly at traffic lights or while parked, sometimes requiring multiple restart attempts. One owner reports the accelerator sticking open in the throttle position, trapping the vehicle in uncontrolled acceleration.
Dealers and independent shops consistently report being unable to replicate the problems, find fault codes, or diagnose a fix. One dealer stated an ETC replacement couldn't be guaranteed to work. No systemic repair has proven successful across the complaints.
Same Chrysler Sebring cruise control reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration while stopped or at low speed
Vehicle accelerates on its own while parked, idling at stop signs/lights, or moving at low speed (4-40 mph), even with foot on brake. Multiple owners report sudden forward lurching that nearly or did cause crashes into other vehicles, buildings, poles, or safety rails. Some events followed by stalling.
When: Occurs unpredictably; some instances near start of ownership, others at higher mileage (33k–103k miles); no clear pattern tied to temperature or drive time
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input, foot off pedal or on brake; Loss of steering assist or power loss during acceleration event; Engine RPM spikes to 1500–2100+ rpm while stopped; Stalling follows acceleration in some cases; Brakes become ineffective or unresponsive during unintended acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports accelerator replaced; mechanic at independent shop could not replicate or diagnose for others. Dealer diagnostics inconclusive or no codes found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, manufacturer offered to replace vehicle only at 0.25 per mile above purchase mileage. No recall or TSB mentioned by name in narratives.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) light illumination with loss of power and stalling
ETC warning light comes on suddenly while driving at highway or city speeds (30–75 mph). Vehicle simultaneously loses power, hesitates to accelerate, idles rough, or stalls completely. Some owners report light stays on and blinks; others report light comes on only momentarily before stalling.
When: Occurs unpredictably across mileage range (6k–112k miles); one owner reported 7 restarts needed on 700+ mile trip; some recur multiple times in short period
Symptoms owners cite: ETC warning light illuminates (steady or blinking); Sudden loss of power at highway speed (55–75 mph); Vehicle hesitates to accelerate or will not exceed 20–25 mph; Rough idle with high RPM (1500–2100+ rpm); Vehicle stalls without warning; No shoulder available to safely pull over
Codes mentioned: No stored fault codes found by dealer in several cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner: MAP sensor replaced (no effect). Another: Independent mechanic diagnosed ETC computer needs replacement (not repaired). Another: Dealer stated ETC replacement required but could not guarantee fix. One owner: solenoid package replaced for $800 at independent shop.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer said vehicle not in recall NHTSA 08V152000 (electrical system). Most dealers unable to diagnose or replicate.
Cruise control mechanical failure or disengagement failure
Cruise control fails to disengage when brakes are applied. Vehicle continues accelerating despite multiple brake pedal taps. In one case, rental car at 73–75 mph struck semi-trailer when cruise would not disengage, causing wreck and spinout into median.
When: Occurred during highway driving after ~50 miles of cruise control use; single detailed narrative at approximately 73–75 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control does not disengage when brake pedal is tapped; Vehicle accelerates despite brake application; Brake effectiveness reduced or overwhelmed during unintended acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs noted in narrative; wreck resulted.
Loose or detached cruise control lever/stalk after service
After engine replacement and repair work, cruise control lever found hanging loosely and not properly attached to steering column assembly. Cosmetic failure but indicates assembly or quality control issue during dealer service.
When: Discovered after engine repair work, March 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control lever/stalk loose and detached after dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Not separately repaired in narrative; noted as additional defect after engine/transmission work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer found auto transmission shift lever recall and spring hook retainer, replaced for free during same service visit.
Accelerator sticking in open throttle position
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or remains in open throttle position, causing sudden uncontrolled acceleration. Owner unable to slow or stop vehicle before impact.
When: Occurred while pulling into parking space; started shortly after purchase in 2010; last incident October 2, 2011
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck in open position; Foot off accelerator but vehicle accelerates; Unable to stop acceleration before hitting curb and causing substantial damage to lower passenger side
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not get formal repair diagnosis; hit curb which stopped vehicle before further damage.
Hesitation to accelerate or inability to accelerate above minimum speed
Vehicle hesitates or refuses to accelerate when pedal is depressed, particularly at stops or during turns. Vehicle will not exceed 20–25 mph despite full pedal input. ETC light typically illuminates. One case occurred while stationary; another while turning.
When: Mileage range 6k–80k miles; occurs both at start of ownership and throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when accelerating from stop; Inability to exceed 20–25 mph; No acceleration response despite full throttle input; ETC warning light present
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic diagnosed ETC computer replacement needed (not completed). Dealer stated ETC replacement required but could not guarantee it would fix the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to diagnose or unable to guarantee repair would work.
Random stalling, restart difficulty, and RPM surges while stopped
Engine stalls unexpectedly at stops (traffic lights, stop signs) without warning. Vehicle sometimes requires multiple restart attempts before cranking. Some instances accompanied by sudden RPM spike to 2000+ rpm while foot on brake. No clear external cause (temperature, humidity, drive time).
When: Mileage range 33k–112k; unpredictable, no pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at red lights or stop signs without warning; RPM spikes to 2000+ rpm while stationary and brakes applied; Engine cranks but does not turn over on first or multiple attempts; Stalling can recur multiple times in short period
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced solenoid package ($800) at independent shop; stalling continued. No systematic repair reported as successful.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler sebring. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the vehicle suddenly began to lose power and would not accelerate. The contact stated that the electronic throttle control malfunction warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. ..updated 02-28-14 *bf…
My car has accelerated 3 different times when im at a complete stop on christmas day it accelerated and almost hit the car infront of me it doesn't do it everysingle time I drive but has happened more then once it has also shut off at complete stops several times the Chrysler dealership gives me the run around and say nothing is wrong. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler sebring convertible. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate abnormally. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate. The throttle control warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians stated to the contact that the…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 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 cruise control problem on the 2008 Chrysler Sebring?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 42,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2008/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.