As most of you know, this X-fire has been less than an enjoyable experience for me. Today marked my third trip to the dealer with this POS. I love X-fires, I think I got a bad one...please review objectively and provide APPROPRIATE input. Constructive opinions are welcome...the rest can go find HDDP/Respdoc duke'em outs...


Here is a list of the problems:

1) Burning oil smell; verified by dealer, but cannot locate source. I have been directed to continue to drive the vehicle. They "believe" it is the exhaust breaking in...I have 2K+ miles on the car with no relief in site. No oil loss.

2) Vibration from 20^ MPH. All 4 tires have unexplained flat spots...the dealer is working with continental for replacements, as there are no vendors on island.

3) Grinding noise when brakes applied: Front left rotor deeply gouged. Both front rotors and pads were replaced today...braking symptoms remain (noise) may be attributable to the tires.

4) Car jumps out of 1st gear. Dealer acknowledges that there are TSB's that apply to "other" Crossfires...they can not replicate the symptom. I have been instructed to continue to monitor.

5) Transmission binds in 1st and 2nd gears. Verified by dealer. I have been told that it is "probably break in"...continue to monitor.

6) Excessive wind noise/rattles in passenger door. Official answer is that they can't replicate (in writing). Mechanic verified noise while co-riding...cannot isolate source. Unknown why wind noise is louder on passenger side.

The service manager is trying to contact the regional customer service rep, but wants an opportunity to repair it...I want a new car. I didn't pay 35+ (convertibles bring a premium in Hawaii) for a car to continually be in the shop. They have an SRT-6 on the lot that no one has shown interest in...in lieu of the recent rebates (Overstock included), I don't see why Chrysler wouldn't step up to the plate...Am I being unreasonable?

Last objective pieces of info: I bout the car on the 11th of October, and it now has 2,014 miles. My commander tagged the back passenger side of the car and caused $2,800 bucks of non-structural damage slated to be repaired next week (bumper, 1/4 panel (minor), and side marker light).

Thoughts/advice?

Thanks in advance!

~ Jess

 

Jess

1) Both I and others noticed the "smell" especially after some hard acceleration. It was something to do with the converters and did eventually go away. My own thought was that it was the clutch wearing in but it did go away so who knows for sure.
2) Haven't had this one myself but I do remember seeing it in the Forum about a year ago and it seemed to be something to do with the suspension system but I do not remember.
3) Every once and awhile I get dust in the breaks (I assume) and they squeak for a little while and then go away. There is a chance that your brake problems and suspension issues are related.
4) Mine has never popped out of gear but it was a common problem with the earlier ser.#s and at 1st DC changed the transmissions and later they found that replacing the synchronizers did the job.
5) Synchros should be the same issue as they make the gears mesh without a grind. I don't buy the break-in deal. Mine has always worked great from day one, however, for any shift from 1st to 2nd, you will definitely feel a notch going into 2nd so a speed shift is unlikely. That is just the MB transmission.
6) Door rattle is a tear down of the panel issue to look for something loose. (this is a guess)
The wind noise is a normal issue for most of us, if, you notice it coming from the front of the window. New rubber is usually not the fix. You need a mechanic that knows a bit about Xfires to adjust the window without warping the door.

I hope this helps a little. I would think that your biggest problems will be brakes/suspension if they are in deed related. Tell them to change your transmission synchros before you do any gear damage. They are aware of the TSB.

Good Luck and let us know what happens in the end so we can help others.

 

The service manager called tonight...now they are saying that they think the TSB applies. The other three X-fires that I drove, none of them had the smell or the vibration. This car also has electrical problems (I am on my third battery)...I just want a different crossfire...

~ Jess