What gets my goat the most is being lied to.

First because of "Delivery State". Then "Assembly line in Michigan".

How Dumb Do They Think We Are?

I checked out the website in your sig-not what I was expecting!

 

Is any one concerned about the inexperience of the dealer service personnel that will do the work?

I am approved for a new top and was originally told by my local Chrysler dealer that they would be sending my car to a local rag top guy with lots of experience. After contacting and talking with the independent shop I was told that he may not do the work because Chrysler is only reimbursing the shop with one hour labor....about $100 to do the work. Two hours later I receive a call from the Chrysler dealer telling me that they decided to do the job in house. I inquired about the experience of the technician that would be doing the work. I was told that he was experienced. I asked "how many Crossfire tops did he install", and was told that he did one. I voiced my concern and told them that I do not want someone learning on the job on my car.

I think I would prefer the independent shop with years of experience????????????????

I update everyone after the job is done.

 

That would be my concern... You would think Chrysler would fly in someone to start training specific dealerships to do the repair. They are still getting tops done by the same companies that do this kind of thing, like Karmann. Karmann has done a lot of tops for several different manufacturers, and I am sure there is a "spinoff" company out there with that knowledge. Their dealerships will be getting sued for sure if these tops get messed up. Poor decision on their part...

 

One of many, Doc. One of many...

 

confirming note I just got, I'm in IL


Dear Mark:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center in
regards to your 2005 Crossfire Convertible.

As of September 2011, a warranty extension has been placed on Back Glass
Adhesion/Backlite Covers on select 2005 MY Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
Convertible vehicles. This warranty extension is for 10 years or 100,000
miles (whichever occurs first) per the original In-Service Date of the
vehicle.

This Warranty Extension applies only to 2005 Chrysler Crossife Roadster
Convertibles shipped to dealers in the following states:

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisana, Missouri, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas

As your vehicle was not shipped to a Dealership within the above States,
it does not fall under the Extended Warranty.

If you are currently experiencing an issue you feel may be related to
this component, we advise speaking further with your authorized
Dealership for further diagnosis and attention.

Thanks again for your email, Mark.

 

All I can say is...Chrysler/Fiat, grab hold of your *** boys, 'cause if you fix one, regardless of what state it was delivered too, you will fix them all... Want to bet?

 

Again I ask, according to our member complaints, have any builds other than year 2005 experienced "The Problem"?

 

If everyone that is being stiffed on this makes a formal complaint to the NHTSA, that would be a safe bet for you, Doc!

Doc, got a roadster? Two? Make the complaint!

 

My wife's SRT6 Roadster was originally a Chrysler Executive Car delivered to Virgina but spent most of it's life in NC. Now it's in Georgia. Currently car is at a Georgia Dealer looking for an Intercooler pump. I asked them to check to top/window. Apparently they have taken in two others already this week for tops. Can anyone suggest what we need to do next?

 

Yes, I believe my '06 had this problem as the rear window was replaced with a stitched-in-place vinyl insert (glued also?) in lieu of the glass window. I know it originally had the glass as the wiring for the defoster, although disconnected, is still in place.
But my top has other problems - the deck seam on the driver's side has seperated, beginning at the rear support and continuing toward the rear of the car. Not much of a lifecycle for a car with only 26K miles.
I glued the seam with Loctite Fabric glue using black duct tape as backer material. So far it has held through a 1K mile trip and a lot of rain. I've had this car just 2 months and am unimpressed with the top, as well as the cup holder, which broke on this last trip.
Top shops won't fix the seam but will gladly install a new top for $1,799, including installation. I'm saving my pennies...

 

UPDATE:

Well, my top has been replaced under X31. I may be one of the first to score replacement under X31, but it looks really good.

The materials appear to be equal to OEM. Does any one know where the original tops were fabricated? Karmann? Chrysler? Germany? USA?

When you all have yours replaced, be sure to inspect your top with regard to final installation technique and correctness. Going out on a limb here, there may not be too many rag top specialists that are familiar with the Crossfire rail system.

The installation of my top turned out to be about 1/4" off center at the rear, which caused a tiny pucker just aft of the passenger side window. FAIL. I have a relationship with my installer, and the problem will be rectified pronto, even if it means partially removing and reinstalling the top.

But. DO NOT sign off on your top replacement until you are totally satisfied! We have absolutely ZERO leverage in this matter (withhold payment, etc.) with regard to final quality of materials and workmanship. So if you are not happy with the outcome in replacing your top, be prepared to hold your breath until you turn blue.

But at least be happy that the rear window won't fall out.

 

I have an 07 but am concerned that it may happen to my window down the road. I believe all roadsters should be included regardless of what year 05,06,07,08. (Window falling out is a safety issue and could cause a serious accident.) Thanks for all the information you have provided. I plan on filing a complaint.

 

Kane,

Were you able to keep the old top and window materials? Somebody mentioned that, and I am lucky to have room, just in case.

Also, and seriously, would your installer want more of the same business, and would he work as hard to get mine right?

Thanks for passing along your experiences with this.

Michael
05 Limited Roadster, black, 6spd

 

Sent in my complaint today to NTSHA for the tops. Chrysler should replace them all before someone gets hurt or killed.

 

Cr is at Dealer now. They said they inspected the window glass and currently all is well. Plan to keep a close eye on it for now.

 

Chrysler retains the old tops. If not, could you imagine all of the "slightly used" tops for sale on eBay?

By the way, if a guy had the old top off and on the workbench, re-adhering the old window would be a breeze using the 3M Window Weld adhesive. And the repair would last forever.

 

I have a '05 crossfire roadster. I received a letter from Chrysler telling me my car rear window warranty had been extended 10 years and 10,000 miles. It instructed me that, if I had already had the "problem" (which I had, and a local chrysler dealer replaced my top to to tune of $2,300) I could send in the paperwork for a reimbursement.

I should add that I had the top replaced in 2009.

I did so and am hoping for the best.

If anyone wants a copy of the letter, I can scan it and post it. Let me know.

As I spent that kind of money, I asked for my original top to be returned to me, and they did so, in the box the new one came in. It is in my attic. I did a bad job with some epoxy to keep it from leaking until the new one came in. The dealer said they could not re-glue the window, only replace the entire top.

As I have the receipts and dealer invoice, etc... I expect (hope) no issue from Chrysler.

I live in Florida and to my knowledge the car was bought here (I got it with 19k miles on it).

Base model, 6-speed manual, black on black, love the car, paid off! Saving up for a quieter car that I can use to keep miles off of my crossfire so it lasts for years to come.

Good luck to everyone who has this issue, I hope Chrysler man's up and does the right thing. After all, we all technically own Chrysler due to the bail out. It's my company, and I am going to set policy if they won't! ;-)

p.s. no one inherits this car. When I pass on, I'm taking it with me!

 

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE

Had a chance to look at the old OEM top and it was indeed made by Karmann, as are the new tops.

But be aware the the installation as farmed out by Chrysler to qualified technicians is heading for a snag. It takes at least 6 hours for a rag top specialist to remove and replace the old top. However, Chrysler is only going to reimburse the installer for 1.5 hours of labor, non-negotiable per the TSB. Therefore any responsible installer is going to say no way they will do the work for what amounts to, per Chrysler, $85 when the installer should be paid around $300.

Just a heads up.

The good folks that installed my new top said that they will do no more Crossfires under X31.

 

Good information kane thanks for the heads up. I just got home from a 3 week trip and found a letter from Chrysler saying our 05 SRT was included in the extended warranty program and to take the letter to a dealer . Looks like Chrysler is notifing owners that have vin#'s that qualify.

 

On November 14, 2008 my, out of warrantee, 2005 Crossfire had its’
top replaced. The Dealer told me Chrysler would supply the canvas
but I would need to pay $531.44 for the installation.

On September 19th I made a claim, via eMail, to Chrysler and five days
latter I deposited their check in the amount of the claim.