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Actually, not that common. The common problem is the tach and odometer not working which is covered in a How To thread and an album in the Gallery.
This sounds more like someone has been under the dash with aftermarket stuff and may have removed it.
There are three control modules (computers of sorts) aboard your Sebring. The PCM (Powertrain Control Module - under hood), TCM (Transmission Control Module - under hood next to PCM and PDC) and the BCM (Body Control Module - left end of the dash accessible from underneath and directly connected to the JB) are the main units. Some of the sub-systems: seatbelts, radio etc also have fairly complex controllers but aren't involved in the car's operation at the level of the main three. PDC (Power Distribution Center - under hood) and JB (Junction Block - left end of dash) are the two fuse panels in the car. Each of these modules shares information that it has gathered over an internal "network" (yeah, just like the house) called the "Chrysler Communications Databus" or CCD.
When you have a CCD error show up, something related to the dataflow has been unplugged or disconnected. If you have the CMTC (travel computer display just to the right of the instrument cluster on the 1g's), then you may get a CCD error there or at the odometer.
An example of shared data is speed. The transmission has an input and output speed sensor. The TCM is the unit that actually collects and processes the signal from both sensors, then passes it to the PCM and BCM. The PCM uses the speed data to determine a number of things including if the car is running correctly (if not, it triggers a "Limp Mode" where the tranny is locked in 2nd gear), fuel volume and injector firing duration etc. The BCM uses the speed input from the TCM to show the speed on the speedometer, update the odometer and trip meter. The BCM collects any operator inputs such as lighting system, a/c, heater and sends the information to the appropriate module to have the engine bay components actuated etc.
All of this interconnection is the reason why our cars sometimes need a "reboot" to get their collective heads on straight. But a persistent problem means there's something that must be found and corrected. While the issue can be a bad module ($$$$) often times it's a plug that's wet, corroded etc or a bad sensor / "receiver" causing the issues. So if you've got any time maintaining your own vehicle it's worth crawling around looking for oddball issues before spending money. We've had many fixes reported here that were a simple, little to no money repair that a shop assumed was a major component.
If you don't have the experience and don't want it, then asking these questions and doing the research on the web and here allow you to know your car better than your technician. That helps you keep him from firing the parts gun too many times with too many $$$$.
Having said that, check the battery age (over 3 years? Replace it) and then fumble around a little bit if you want to, especially under the dash, if there was an aftermarket remote starter or alarm system things at the BCM could be a pretty nasty mess.
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