The new Crossfire sure turns heads and is one of the best looking rides to come along in many years. It also has a lot of potential... but that's the only good thing I can say about mine right now.

I've had it two weeks and have put 1,000 miles on it. Already have the following problems:

¥ the glove box lock tumbler fell out the first time I opened it
¥ cannot see the radio display during daylight hours
¥ when filling the windshield washer, it over flows from somewhere other
than the filler neck
¥ first gear frequently pops out of gear when accelerating, a very dangerous situation to say the least

Not a very impressive start for a $35,000 Mercedes based vehicle. I'm taking it back to the dealer tomorrow and I'm armed with all the information about these problems I found from this site.

I'll keep you all informed. Wish me luck.

AJ Card :cry:
Mesa, AZ

SSB 6-speed #002815

 

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have heard of the glove lock box problem, take it to the dealer and they should be able to fix it quickly. Their is already a TSB out for the radio display... just take it back to the dealer and they will order you a new radio with a new much improved display. As for the windshield washer fluid, that is actually a safety measure for the car so that you don't get the washer fluid all over the engine if you overflow it. The first gear problem is also documented, so they will know how to fix it. Sorry to hear about all of the problems, but soon enough they will ALL be fixed, and you will love the car!

 

I had the glove box lock problem with mine. I opened the glove box one day and the whole lock/tumbler hit the floor. I put everything on a ziplock bag and took it to the dealer. They ordered a new lock and installed the new lock when they installed my new radio now all is right with the world.

 

....true, one would not expect these of a $35K car, but these types of problems are not at all unusual for a first year model, of any make.

To be honest, problems such as these are fairly common on exotic cars costing exponentially more. Doesn't make them right, but they happen none the less.

As pointed out, you can get yourself a new radio easily enough from the dealer. It also appears the 1st gear issue is on Chrysler's radar screen, and some folks on this board have had the problem successfully fixed, others seem to have the problem linger.

I've not seen it brought up here, and Crossfire Tech would know, I think, but Edmund's says that a TSB exists for the Windshield Fluid overfill.

I feel fortunate to not have any of the problems (radio excepted, of course) thus far, anyway.

Good luck. Get this issues sorted and I think you'll be enjoying your car quite a bit.

 

When I bought a new Vette in 1995 I had a ton of problems. Not to mention it's the only car I have ever owned that stranded me. The ECU crapped out when I only had 2,200 miles on it and stranded me in Hilton Head, SC. Sure was glad I had my clubs with me. I was stuck there for 4 days waiting on parts. About 3 weeks after that happened the Bose sound system puked. It tood a month and a half to get that fixed. After that it was an electrical problem that cause the battery to drain overnight. It only took the Chevy dealer 2 weeks to fix that one.

At least any problems I've had with my Crossfire have been minor and fixed very quickly.For my money the Xfire has much better quality and service. I paid $38k for the Vette (and that was in '95).

 

UPDATE #1:

Well, I was at the dealership right at 0700 and was first in line when they opened.

The response was what I was expecting... the only problem they are aware of is the TSB concerning the radio. The service writer was my first stop, no help what so ever.

Next I went to the service manager. He was unaware of my major concern, the transmission popping out of gear and wasn't too impressed with my source of information being an internet forum, but he listened. To be fair, after the first 10 minutes he was very receptive of my concern.
I spoke with him for an hour.

In the end he said, "there is no way he could research the problem with Chrysler untill after the holidays". Seems like his technical resources at Chrysler are closed down until after the new year.

My final statements to him were:

¥ I am really proud to own the car and plan on keeping it for a long time to come, as it was my poor man's sports car, a great ride and a head turner... if they stand behind it.

¥ They have only "three" tries to fix the transmission problem. If not, I would invoke my rights under Arizona's Lemon Law which is pretty consumer oriented, if the right buttons are pushed.

He told me the proplem would be fixed or resolved to my satisfaction and that Chrysler would not let the situation get that far, they would put me in another car before that happened.

My fingers are crossed and I hope for the best. It hurts knowing it is going to sit in the garage looking at me until the transmission is fixed.

Updates will follow as they happen... the adventure begins.

Happy New Year to all and enjoy your Crossfire!!! (I truly feel sorry for those that have to put theirs away for the winter, I couldn't wait that long).

AJ Card :roll:
Mesa, AZ

SSB 6-Speed #002815

 

Sorry to hear about your problems with the Xfire, AZ.

I was one of those that put mine away for winter but couldn't take the seperation anxiety so I took it out today for a drive.

 

Do you mind me asking what dealer you took it to? I am from the PHX area also, and have definite opinions about the Five Star Material around here.

 

krusty,

Superstition Springs Chrysler-Jeep, but I'm sure I would have received the same reply from Earnhardt's or any other dealer here in the Valley.

Bought my '99 Jeep TJ at Earnhardt's and have had nothing but run arounds with them. Needless to say, 5-Star Service is a joke.

AJ Card
Mesa, AZ

SSB 6-Speed #002815

 

Guys,
It's not just in Pheonix, it's everywhere. Chrysler dealers are just not ready to give good service. I've owned Jeeps for my office and have nothing but bad luck with SERVICE. Now I have a Crossfire and the dealer is still breaking my *****. My other car dealers would wash the car every time I brought it in, not at a Chrysler dealer! There used to servicing Neons. I love the car, I'm not impressed with the service.

 

It's all in the Dealer!!! My dealer has bent over backward to make sure I've had very good service. When I come in with my Crossfire they always treat me like I own the dealership!!!

If you are getting lousy service contact DC and let them know. If the lousy dealer has a 5 star rating they could lose it if DC gets enough complaints from dissatisfied customers. If you just complain to the dealer and to us (in this forum) the dealer keeps their 5 star rating and keep handing out crap for service.

Dealers make 90% of their revenue from service. If you have another 5 star dealer in your area try them. They would be more than happy to service you car even though you didn't buy it from them. They even make good money from DC on your warranty work.

 

90% I wish! Maybe some dealers.I work for one of the biggest dodge/chrysler/jeep dealers in the country and with all the overhead and slow economy were lucky if the service dept. makes a dime!On a good year we may gross 3 million and net 3 hundred thousand!Dealers make there money selling cars....some don't put any effort into sevice.I make a pretty good living because I have 16 years exp. and put in the effort.5 star means nothing ....Its the attitude of the service writer and tech that matters!DC pays the dealer hourly rate on warranty work but the problem is they pay in tenths of an hour. I believe the radio tsb pays 2 tenths and the weatherstrip tsb pays 4 tenths of an hour.Hard to do a good job for that time.We make our money on cust. pay labor!Some dealers would not take in warranty work if you bought it somewhere else.

 

Bought from Tate in Glen Burnie, MD. The buying process was only slightly slimey...much less than what one usually experiences in buying a new car. They even knocked $500 (this was August) off MSRP. Seemed like a good deal at the time, who knew the same dealer would sell me the same car today for $29,995?

What little service I've had has been great. No problem with the loaner, service writers treat me great. Just came back this morning from them looking at the radio, per the TSB, and ordered my new one.

So far, I'm happy with my dealer.

 

You're lucky, I'm not having good luck here in Ft Myers Florida.

 

crossfiretech,

In my previous post, I stated that my dealer new of only one TSB and that was the one on the radio. Are there any others out there... in paticular the popping out of first gear problem???

My dealer was complety ignorent of the transmission problem. He went on to say the technical department at DC was closed till the first of the year and couldn't research the problem till then.

Any input would be appreciated,

AJ Card
Mesa, AZ :cry:

SSB 6-Speed #002815

 

There's only a couple tsb's out... one for the radio and one for wind noise at the a pillar.I haven't heard anything on the transmission problem yet but your dealer can check with the chrysler star center next week.If the trans keeps acting up demand a new one!Its hard with a new model no one has any experiance fixing these cars yet.But chrysler should step up to the plate and address any issues and they have in some cases.The germans are pretty demanding on quality and customer satisfaction.

 

Don't sweat the small stuff! The Crossfire is a piece of art made in Germany. It is infact a high quality limited production sports car that surpasses everything out there up to $50,000. You will find things wrong with a new Rolls Royce. Nothing is perfect. The Crossfire is the closest thing to perfection and value in a sports car! It is an exotic. Signed.....I love my car! From 1 to 10, I give it a 9.99...as good as it gets!

 

""krusty,

Superstition Springs Chrysler-Jeep, but I'm sure I would have received the same reply from Earnhardt's or any other dealer here in the Valley.

Bought my '99 Jeep TJ at Earnhardt's and have had nothing but run arounds with them. Needless to say, 5-Star Service is a joke.

AJ Card
Mesa, AZ

SSB 6-Speed #002815""

I've never been to either of those, but I know Earnhardt is a joke on the sales side. I bought my 300m at Bill Luke and won't be going back there, but I have had good luck with Pitre in Scottsdale. I bought my Crossfire at Airpark in N. Scottsdale and have only had it in for the wind noise fix, so far so good with them. Overall though, with >10 years Chrysler ownership experience under my belt (Eagle Vision Tsi, 300m, Crossfire) I do know the following:

1. It IS all in the dealer.

2. Contrary to the platitudes posted at your dealer, the Five Star designation means nothing.

 

WMichaels is right...if you are seriously having a problem with a service department, don't hesitate to contact DC. They are starting to crack down hard on dealerships. DC's thinking, is that if a dealer cannot provide good service, what are there chances of people coming back to the same dealer, or even back to any of the Chrysler brands, to buy a new car? I'd say not very good. Service is a very important part of a new car dealership. The dealership I work for always makes it a point to bend over backward for service customers, even if the car was purchased elsewhere. Management's thinking...if people appreciate the help they received in the service department, why wouldn't they consider shopping for their next vehicle from the same location. Also, I work in the Detroit area, so we get a lot of DC employee traffic. Although warranty work may not pay as well as customer paid repairs, it still does pay the bills and keep income rolling into the dealerships. If anyone out there would like a GOOD service experience, contact me.

Pat Kittle
pkmsu81@aol.com
248-836-5034

 

m-benz,

I don't want to start a flame war but... 1st gear popping out of gear when accelerating from a standstill at a light or stop sign IS NOT "small stuff"!!! It's damn right dangerous!!! As of this post I have almost been rear ended three times because the car suddenly lost power and the person behind me almost tagged my rear end.

The car has been out long enough, and DC is aware of the problem. They should have already notified ALL of their dealers of a potential problem with the 6-speed transmission.

After 10 minutes or so of trying to communicate the problem to my service manager all he wanted to say is he knew nothing and there were no TSB's on it. I had to convience him he needed to research the issue. His comment, "DC Tech Supportn is closed untill Jan 5, 2004..." That's kinda hard to believe. At the very least he should of started to calling other dealers in the Phoenix area (which is the 6th largest city in the US with it's share of large Chrysler dealers) and not left me hanging for over a week.

Checkout the Technical and Modification section of this forum and read up on the problems others are having getting the problem taken care of.

This issue should be at the top pf DC's list of things to do, especially for a "a piece of art made in Germany" which happens to be Chryslers top of the line Flagship vehicle.

Happy motoring,

AJ Card
Meas, AZ

SSB 6-Speed # 002815