I have a beautiful Red 2004 Coupe that has been into the Chrysler Dealership 11 times since December 2006 for the "check engine" light. It initially began as the gas tank light flashing rapidly for awhile and then the CEL would come on. The first few times I took it in to be serviced I was told that when a diagnostic was done, there was nothing wrong. The light would be reset and I would be on my merry way- convinced each time that it was ok. Needless to say, that has not been the case, and the trips to the dealership have become more numerous with shorter periods between visits. They have replaced sensors in the exhaust, the gas tank, and other areas of the engine- plus the car has a new fuel pump system (thank goodness it's still under warranty!). The "blinking light" situation has gone from a single gas tank light to the entire left side panel of warning lights flashing on/off, and I've even completely lost power to the dash. (The car has never lost power, stalled, or even hesitated during these episodes) As I write this post, my car has spent the last 8 days at the Chrysler dealership (the last repair was good for about 12 hrs), and I'm at the end of my rope. I love my car- and I just want it fixed. Has anyone out there had similar issues and did they get resolved? Any suggestions? I need some help here! Thanks!

 

Never heard of this happening, does your dealership have a certified XFire Tech? Many dealerships do not have Techs who are Certified to work on our cars.
I would take it to another dealership.

 

Look into your state's "Lemon Laws".

In New York, where I live, you would be eligible for a replacement new car under the law after so many visits to the dealer for the same problem that remains unfixed.

New York State FAQS for example:

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW YORK NEW CAR LEMON LAW?

The New Car Lemon Law provides a legal remedy for buyers or lessees of new cars that turn out to be lemons. If your car does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts during the first 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, you may be entitled to a full refund or a comparable replacement car. A copy of the law may be found in the back of this booklet.

WHICH CARS ARE COVERED BY THE LEMON LAW?

The law covers both new and used cars, including demonstrators, which satisfy all of the following four conditions:

1. The car was covered by the manufacturer's new car warranty at the time of original delivery; and

2. The car was purchased, leased or transferred within the earlier of the first 18,000 miles or two years from the date of original delivery; and

3. The car either: (a) was purchased, leased or transferred in New York State, or (b) is presently registered in New York State; and

4. The car is primarily used for personal purposes.
Some examples of cars that may be covered by the new car lemon law are:

* a new or demonstrator car, purchased or leased from a New Jersey dealer and registered in New York;
* a new or demonstrator car, purchased or leased from a New York dealer and registered in New Jersey;
* a new or demonstrator car received as a gift from a friend and registered in New York State;
* a used car with less than 18,000 miles and less than 2-years old.

WHAT DOES THE PHRASE "PRIMARILY USED FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES" MEAN?

A car is primarily used for personal purposes when its principal use is for personal, family or household purposes. Such purposes include, for example, using the car for household errands or to drive to and from work. A car may be used for both personal and business purposes provided that the personal use is predominant (more than 50% of the usage).

ARE MOTOR HOMES COVERED?

Yes. Motor homes are also covered under the law, except as to defects in systems, fixtures, appliances or other parts that are residential in character. However, there are special notice requirements with respect to motor homes. The law defines a motor home manufacturer to include not only the manufacturer but also the assembler of the component parts of the motor home, including the chassis, engine and residential portion.

ARE MOTORCYCLES AND OFF-ROAD VEHICLES COVERED?

Effective September 1, 2004, motorcycles are covered vehicles. Off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are not covered by the law.

ARE CARS OWNED OR LEASED BY BUSINESSES COVERED?

Yes, provided the car is primarily used for personal, family or household purposes.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU BECOME AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR?

You should immediately report any defect or "condition" covered by the manufacturer's warranty directly to the manufacturer or to its authorized dealer.

A "condition" is a general problem, such as a difficulty in starting, repeated stalling, or a malfunctioning transmission, that can result from a defect of one or more parts.

If you report the problem to the dealer, the law requires the dealer to forward written notice to the manufacturer within seven days. Under the law, notice to the dealer is considered notice to the manufacturer.

WHAT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S DUTY TO REPAIR?

With respect to those covered cars sold and registered in New York State, if you notify the manufacturer or its authorized dealer of such defect within the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, the law places a duty upon the manufacturer to repair --free of charge and without any deductible-- any defect covered by warranty.

Once timely notice of the defect is given, the manufacturer may not charge for the repairs, even if the repairs are performed after 18,000 miles or two years. If you have been charged for such repairs or a deductible, you should contact the Attorney General's office.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT MEET ITS DUTY TO REPAIR?

If the problem is not repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or the manufacturer or the dealer refuses to commence repairs within 20 days from the manufacturer's receipt of the "refusal to repair" notice from you, and if the problem substantially impairs the value of the car, the manufacturer may be required to refund the full purchase or lease price, or offer a comparable replacement car.

DOES THE LAW SPECIFY THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED REPAIR ATTEMPTS?

Yes. It is presumed that there has been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either (a) the manufacturer (or its authorized dealer) has had an opportunity to repair the same problem four or more times and the problem continued to exist at the end of the fourth repair attempt; or (b) the car was out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days for one or more problems.

You or the manufacturer may rebut this presumption by demonstrating that fewer, or more, than four repair attempts, or 30 days out-of-service due to repairs, is reasonable under the circumstances.

CAN YOU STILL OBTAIN A REFUND OR A REPLACEMENT CAR IF THE DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED?

You may still be entitled to relief under the law, provided all other statutory requirements are met, if a defect continued to exist at the end of the fourth repair attempt, or if the car was out-of-service for a total of at least 30 days, notwithstanding that the defect was subsequently repaired.

For example, a defective transmission continued to exist after four repair attempts but on the fifth repair attempt it was fully repaired. Nevertheless, since it was not repaired at the end of the fourth repair attempt, you have met the presumption that a reasonable number of attempts has occurred and you may be entitled to relief.

 

It sounds like the problem maybe with the dash and/or associated wiring.

 

Thanks very much to all of you for your replies. What a great response!

Yes - I did check with the dealership to make sure the tech working on my car is a certified XF mechanic; I actually met him. (One of the many perks of multiple visits to have repairs).
In his defense, he is almost as frustrated as I am at this point. Currently the dealership is in "conference" with a senior engineer at Chrysler (second consult - first one failed obviously!), and the poor tech is caught in the middle. Oy! Oh - and he's the ONLY tech in town... the other Chrysler dealership brings their repairs to him. I think I'm stuck here...

Also - The service manager swears they have checked the main computer and chip in the car and that all is well with it. I don't know enough about it to push the issue, but maybe I should? I'm not very mechanically inclined, and feel like a complete moron when I'm talking with them sometimes.

And I did check into the Lemon Law... In Arizona (my home) the law only covers problems for 24 months or 24,000 miles whichever comes first, and I'm past the 24 months. So that's probably not going to work either... But I won't give up!

Again - thanks for all the great suggestions. I really appreciate it!