My 2nd gear improved over time, or maybe just over the summer, being hotter. It may come back in the winter though.

The common problems I've found are:

1. The rear cabin vents that tap and make noise (fixed with foam)
2. Rear hatch rattle (fixed with electrical tape)
3. Inner door rust
4. Notchy tranny
5. Clutch squealing after sitting. Another member also recently got this clutch squeal problem.

Mine has been to the dealer for:
6. Fogged lights
7. Rear headliner popped loose
8. Weaping oil from filler neck
9. Rattling exhaust which required replacement.

Common problems not experienced by me since mine's a base model:
10. Tire pressure gauge malfunction
11. Nav radio glitches
12. Heated seat failure

This car comes with many defects from the factory and at least 8 items in my list are very common. Most owners here just drive on the weekend, so the compounding problems don't come all at once for most. But my frutration is from experiencing 9 of those problems within 6 months of ownership, and from driving it every day. They are small problems, but just too many of them. 4 trips to the dealer just ain't cool. If this keeps up, I'm going with a Challenger.