Hi folks. Our rear window on our 2008 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster fell out!! We had heard that was an issue on 05 models but didn't know it was an issue on 08's. Anyone know what to do?? I heard there was a recall on the 05 models but didn't know about 08. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

The top is/was the same for all models 2005 and on, even the new replacement tops are the same, so they will eventually exhibit the same problems.
Yes, the recall was only for 2005 models sold in certain states.
Send a PM to maxchicon and ask him where he got his replacement top, his has the rear window double sewn in a pocket, and I think he said he got a lifetime warranty.
His cost was the same as a top from Chrysler, and you have the option of different colors if you like.
Expect to pay $1000 - $1200 for the top, and another $200-$300 to have it installed if you don't DIY.
BTW, the company he got his from demands you send your old top in, there are some parts they have to salvage from it that can't otherwise be obtained.
( you do NOT need to include the glass window )

 

https://www.convertibletopguys.com/c...sler-Crossfire

Made by E-Z On Tops and with:

http://www.ezonauto.com/pdf/EWP_Release.pdf

A number of emails and calls to make sure...

 

Thanks Max.
some notes on the DIY:
tools required :
1. drill and good sharp bits.
2. shop vac. ( for getting the rivet debris as you drill out the old rivets )
3. Torx bit set, ( for the header screws )
4. pop rivet tool and assorted length/size pop rivets and washers.
5. another person and about 3-4 hours being VERY careful.
6. some rope/cord to tie the tonneau to something overhead to keep it open during the operation.
7. parallel jaw pliers ( slip joint ) for re-crimping the window gaskets on re-installation.
8. a can of spray white lithium lube. ( no better time to lube up all the joints than when the cover is off )

Try to capture and save the old BIG rivet heads to use as washers during assembly.

It may sound difficult, but it is really not, and well worth saving the 2-3 hundred bucks AND knowing it was done right.

( I printed out all the relevant pages from the SRT6 service manual and put them in plastic sleeves in a notebook for reference - invaluable )

 

We believe that all of our Roadster roof tops were manufactured by one (European) source over a relatively short time period, especially when you consider the sharp drop in sales/demand, by late 2005. This theory would indicate that the parts are identical.
By 2009, window detachment was becoming widespread and continues to this day. In Sep/Oct 2011 Chrysler LLC published a Service Bulletin specifying top replacement and offered a free 10 year/100,000 mile warranty (by US Mail) to owners of the group of 2005 model year Vin #'s that were shipped to 9 States. To our knowledge, they have never officially stated why those cars would receive special treatment.
The N.H.T.S.A. (safercar.gov) is currently investigating this matter. Please register your complaint with them ASAP. (Attention; Mr. John Abbott) We contend that this is a serious failure of the roof structure itself which negates the critical function of weather protection/resistance, and cannot be considered reasonable nor acceptable by anyone's standard.
Outside of the 9 States; Chrysler did pick & choose who they would help and for how much $. (If you complained to the Corp.) Some were offered a fair deal while many others were flat rejected.
Good luck & Thanks for any help.

 

Well well. My 2005 convertible glass is slowly separating also lower bottom drivers side.Live in Richland Washington DRY weather here but hot.
I filed a complaint on NHTSA website like many others .
Will have to watch it and see if i can do repair before it falls out completely.
good luck all convertible owners.
~Bill

 

I'm just waiting for the day, same thing with the hydraulic components in the trunk. I will deal with it when it happens because I doubt the NHTSA will come to our rescue 10 years after the cars were built, safety issue or not.

 

look up your vin # and let us know what it is?

 

Well we are checking with the folks who we bought our extended warranty with. In the mean time we will check with our local dealer and see what they say as they have helped us out a few times. As for doing it ourselves we cant really do that as my father is 70. We will also check out those links that y'all posted. All the help is greatly appreciated. Thanks all!

 

What has that got to do with anything ?
I'm now 71 and I did it when I was 70 !!!!!

 

He just doesn't want to do it. He would rather have a convertible specialist who does that for a living do it instead of himself.

 

OK, I get it then. Big difference between 'can't' and 'don't want to'

 

If all fails and you end up having to have window reinstalled by private business ; make sure you do what I did. I advised my convertible top guy to reinforce window by adding a double stitch around window on inside. I also had my convertible top professionally cut from scratch; it came out beautiful. Adding the reinforced stitching also gives me an extra large bit of trust that my back window will not come loose. New canvas top, reinforced stitching . Total cost in California . $875. I would never trust Chrysler dealerships to touch my car.LOL. Seriously.

 

Sounds like a very good deal. Ours was replaced by a local specialist shop, same owner in business for several decades. Came out good, window bond warranted for life of purchaser, (probably not labor too, so hope it holds!). A couple of "stays" (dealer parts) had to be replaced also.
Thanks to Chrysler Customer "Service", we will avoid giving them or their dealers another dime, if at all possible.

 

Yeah for sure that sounds like a good idea. I don't trust Chrysler either. They tried to quote us $3,600 for a new top since they can't fix it. Found a guy who is local who will do it for no more than $2,000. We have currently on the faulty window Gorilla Duck Tape on it. We are in Houston and will be trying to find somewhere to replace the top or repair it like you suggested. The duct tape has held up surprisingly well so far so I'm not to worried about that right now. We have heard of a Gorilla Glue fix but don't have many details on it. We will check with our go to mechanic and see what he recommends. We rarely let Chrysler touch our car. Only time they ever did anything was when we got engine coolent replaced from them when the weather was below freezing for a long time. Didn't want the engine block to crack so we got it replaced.

 

I gotta believe the windows fall out due to the build-up of heat in the car, which is consistent with Chrylser only covering the southern states (which are kinda hotter than the northern). Leaving windows cracked may help. Or better yet, I keep mine garaged with the top down most of the summer. Still knocking on wood that I avoid the problem. That strategy also minimizes wear/tear on those zillion moving parts and cables involved in lowering and raising the top.

 

The climate of the 9 selected States being THE factor causing Roadster detached rear windows has been the most discussed theory since 2009, when reports were becoming common, and weather may indeed hasten the failure of the adhesive and/or process that was used in manufacture. However, we are unaware of ANY official justification put forth from Chrysler as to their restriction to only the actual cars, by vin #, that were delivered in just those States.
What about the owner whose "northern" car had been located in Florida for the past 7 or 8 years but did not qualify for the special 2011 Warranty? Or what are the major climate differences in say Texas vs. Oklahoma, Tennessee vs. Kentucky, North Carolina vs. Virginia, Missouri vs. West Virginia?? And WHY did they skip Mississippi altogether??? We believe that say an Alabama car could have spent most of it's time in Minnesota and be covered under 10 year/100,000 mile free replacement, no questions asked. Why only the 2005's when other model years from the chosen States were denied? The Southwestern States are largely desert with consistent extreme heat and I believe the vast majority of Roadsters out here have had the same Chrysler Crossfire failure. I don't know of any other convertible, foreign or domestic, that has had a similar failure of the same magnitude over the past 10 years or so.


Considering all of the facts & history, when you try to understand the "magical" 9 State restriction for 2005's, one must conclude that Chrysler implied that ONLY those cars would be subject to the window adhesion defect. But that conclusion is utterly preposterous. Therefore: CO$T, as usual, is the bottom line. We can only wait for a decision from the NHTSA and we don't underestimate the power of the Corporate side.
Please forgive me for being so long winded.

 

Well I think we lucked out. Went back to Houston for a doctors appointment and will be staying for 2 weeks. We managed to find a top upholster that will use an extreamly heavy duty Urathein I believe from 3M and will also use the 3M window weild and will fix the top for $165 dollars. Probably the best thing that could have happened. I never understood the whole only 2005 year coverage or extended warranty doesn't count. We went to the dealership and showed them plain in sight an extended warranty we purchased when we bought the car. And they straight up denied it. When you pay brand new over $35,000 dollars for a convertible the last thing you would expect is the bloody window to fall out. I know a person infact our barber who paid that. Thankfully he was covered under the extended warranty he purchased since his was an 05. Only thought I had when they denied us was they wanted to save some money and could care less about the people who bought the car. I really hope the heavy duty stuff works out for the top. They are a good buissnes and have worked on crossfires before from what I have heard. Just hope the window doesn't come flying out when we are driving home. 😬

 

Lovecross, I appreciate what you are saying. The coverage does not make sense and everything a company does is CO$T based.


FWIW, my son has a 2007 coupe and he took it to Tallahassee in 2010 (he's currently in West Palm). It took three years, but his headliner flopped on his head one day. Now, I also had that happen to a 1990 Pontiac when I lived in Fort Myers, but Chrysler did a ****-poor design of the interior and convertible top for hot/humid climates.

 

I had the same problem. Took my car to Ron Carter in Alvin, Tx. Was told window could not be repaired. I needed to buy a new top. Six months and $2700 later I got my car back. The problem is that the top would not go down without pushing on the top while pressing the retract button. Now it will not go down at all. Does anyone know of some place around Houston that can adjust the top mechanics so I can put my top down?
Thanks,
rec3rd
rec3rd@sbcglobal.net