I recently bought this 2002 Chrysler Sebring LE. (#14 on the worst car list) The Instrument panel lights do not work. No, it is not the fuse, I changed that already. No, it's not the dimmer switch, it works fine for the dome light and map lights. The gear display light also works and dims just fine. When I turn the car on all the necessary lights go on for the required 5 seconds and then no lights at all in the instrument panel. I find this a serious problem at night. Must see the gauges. Would like a solution short of tearing the dash out.

Update from Sep 6, 2012: 1. I changed all 6 bulbs in the instrument panel identified as "ilum". Did not work.

2. Heard or read somewhere that a non OE radio would cause this but don't know what to do about it. I don't have a stock radio. Anyway, it's not fixed yet.

The stress caused by this problem is the most significant factor here; there ahve been a few nights that I have been driving along and the dashboard instrument lights have flickered so much that I fear I may lose complete power and not even be able to see the road!! I've had to replace my right and/or left headlight twice because of premature burnout (again, no explanation as to why) and the dash lights continue to flicker. The problem MIGHT be a loose light switch (the long turn-signal indicator on the left side of the wheel), but I doubt that's the only problem as my temp gauge light is virtually burned out and now my center console air temperature gauge lights are not reliable as sometimes they are on, sometimes they aren't. The odometer/mileage/door/deck indicator in the bottom center of the instrument panel also flickers constantly.