Well, its official, add me to the list of faulty Manuals. :cry:

Happened one yesterday, was willing to write it off as user error with the clutch, that time. And, twice more today, both well past initial clutch release.

Goes in Friday morning. Anyone actually have their's come back, yet (and work)?

 

Sorry to hear you're having the problem, Galen...I know what a pain it is to worry every time you take off from a stoplight. I got mine back with the new transmission (that they said had been checked for the "fix") and it drove great for 200 miles. Then one morning, it jumped out of first on the way to work, but after everything they've tried, I decided to wait to see if it happened again. It's been a week, driving in typical rush hour traffic, much of it in first and second gear, and it hasn't happened again (another 500 miles). So I feel pretty confident that they found the solution. They've also called me to follow up to make sure...the dealer said that everyone from Chrysler Corporate to the folks in Germany are keeping tabs on the problem and want to make sure it's fixed for good.

 

Are you sure your getting the shifter all the way into first?With a new trans and the same problem has me wondering.I talked to a chrysler engineer and he hasn't heard of any popping out of first problems or fixes.We haven't had any cars in the dealer for trans complaints and my 6 speed shifts fine.Only time will tell if this is a real problem.

 

I think it's a real problem for the 4 or 5 (at least, those are just people on this forum) that this is happening too. I'm sure you will hear something about it soon.

 

At this point it is a Chrysler-identified problem on a select number of cars...not all of them by any means. And they did put together a fix package (but I don't have any details on it). As for the idea that the gearshift wasn't all the way into first...it does seem like that would be the problem, and I thought it was the issue (see my first post), but try putting your shifter only halfway into first...I can't do it on purpose...that was what made the issue such a problem to diagnose...the dealer couldn't replicate the problem until it started happening every 10 miles or so. I've been driving a stick shift for 20 years on five cars, and this is the first it's happened to me. The great news, tho, is that it does look like it's only on a few cars and they are prepared to fix it if it happens to anyone else.

 

There are some heated posts on other sites detailing the exact same problem. I wonder if DCX reads this and other forums...

 

I read the post's on the other site about the 1st gear problems.It seems like it happened within the first week of ownership to both guys.Sounds like they could have left out some synchro rings on a run of transmissions.I will try and find out any info. on this problem.I have yet to see any service bulletins or recalls on the crossfire yet...knock on wood!This german trans has been around for awhile so I'm assuming its a fluke thing.Probably an assembly line screw up by some second shift at the plant.

 

Some second shift guy that got "kicked out of first!" Bah. (booo)

 

Good one! I should have seen that coming!

 

On this board and on other, it seems like all the folks experiencing the problem had the first episode in the first couple hundred miles, or in the first week or so.

1300 miles and 10 weeks later with no problems so far, I'm hoping mine won't be so afflicted.

Good luck to folks with the problem, and thanks for keeping us posted.

 

Well, was one week for the first occurance, and 1,400.

"Inspected Shift Cable. Found Cable out of Adjustment
R and R Mechanism and Adjustec cable" :wink:

Only able to take it for about fifty so far, but it had happened five times within that many miles prior.

 

Less than a week, just over 300 miles, and ...

Its back. Three times in the past two-days (all within less than 35 miles).

Goes back in Friday. :cry:

 

Now would be a good time to start looking into the Lemon Laws in your area...

 

Sorry to hear about your problems!! I haven't heard anything on this trans problem yet! The only thing different I can see from the SLK trans is maybe the shift mechanism and cable!The trans is the same for the SLK but they might have reworked the shift mechanism to fit the crossfire body.Could be a screw up with the shifter assembly design or just a run of defective trannies.

 

I don't know if my dealer was just trying to appease me, but they told me that DCX has identified the fact that there was a small run of defective trannies and they created a "fix package" to deal with them. If your dealer isn't aware of this, Galen, you might want to have them call Brendan (service manager) at Tuttle Click Jeep Chrysler in Irvine, California, to get the scoop. Trust me, he knows alllll about it after going through it with my car. I am happy to report that all is fixed...1000 miles and no problems!

 

Okay, this is what I was told:

There is some bulliten from Chrysler about the problem that prescribes a two stage fix. The first was the readjusting of the cable (see above). The second is to replace the transmission. However, this isn't done by the in-house mechanic(s) at the dealership. Someone from Chrysler comes in and does it (or at least drinks coffee, smokes cigarettes, and supervises).

There is only one mechanic at my dealership certified to look at the crossfires, so by time he was free friday to tinker with it (he was unable to reproduce the problem, this time) and called Chrysler for permission/disposition to go ahead with the replacement, it was too late in the day to get anyone up there.

So, I'm stuck waiting until Monday to find out if Chrysler wants me to risk additional damage to the car (not to mention me) before it becomes something that happens ever flippin stop before they do something about it. Sorry, forgive the small vent there, just starting to wish I had bought it in Michigan, where they have much more consumer friendly Lemon Laws (had the option of it being a MI or IN vehicle, went for the state I spend the most time in, stupidly thinking it would be easiest overall).

 

Okay, I had to wait to cool down a bit. I'll try and keep this short (the only way I'll avoid a flaming tirade no one wants to read).

Okay, its been a week at the shop. They *were* able to reproduce the problem, again. Called Chrysler for disposition/approval to go forward with the fix. Chrysler's response: It doesn't happen often enough to fix.

In other words, my satisfaction in their flagship isn't important, and they are willing to gamble with my life now that they have my money.

I have taken it to the next few levels. Chrysler Customer Service, Owner of the dealership, and begun researching Lemon Law lawyers here. The dealership has been nothing but supportive and helpful, calling me everyday with an update on their conversations with Chrysler as they esclate the problem. This is all on Chrysler itself.

And, this is one of the those things that only hurts everyone involved. I will never buy another Chrysler (regardless of how this works out, I should never have to go through all this for a safety issue on a brand new car). Theres lots of future money gone from both the dealer and the manufacturer, not to mention my own happiness/satisfaction over a 34K purchase.

I also doubt I want to keep the car at this point (again, regardless of how this ends). It is really ruining my enjoyment of the car. I may change my mind on this point, it is beautiful and fun, but if I can't rely on it to actually *move* (which is what a car is for, afterall), I'm afraid I will just feel sick every time a see the car, now.

My own feelings and situation aside, I am posting this to ask all of you who have had the problem to report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if it has been fixed to your satisifaction. This is a real safety problem with the crossfires, albeit in a small percentage, and the only way Chrysler is going to own up to it, and fix the issue for other people without endless hastles and threats of lawsuits is after they have been forced to acknowledge the issue.

With such a low volume, and soo few actually on the road, it shouldn't require too many of us to get the goverment involved and force the manufacturer to do something about it.

You can call the NHTSC at 1-888-327-4236. Or file a complaint on-line at:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/


The phone is actually easier and quicker than the on-line version, fyi.

Again, don't report this for yourself, or even for me, but for everyone else who encounters this issue. The squeeky wheel may get the grease, but if enough squeek all the wheels might get a lub-job. :wink:

Anyway, I will keep you all up-to-date on my nightmare.

Now go out, hug your car, and feel the love, one time for me. I'm beginning to doubt I ever will again.

 

I dont know about you Law in the states but UK law says for what ever it is your buying ' it has to be fit for the purpose it was intended for'. Jumping out of gear would mean its not fit, simple as that.
They have to change the whole car or you get your money back!

Just curious, does it make a difference if you keep hold of the gear stick until you shift to 2nd?

 

This Trans. problem must be on a few cars only.I haven't seen a TSB,or a memo or heard anything from my inhouse chrysler engineer.We have only sold a few manual xfires and haven't seen one with any complaints yet.

 

Squeeky wheel's getting slimey.

Latest updates. The General Manager of the dealership got involved and ran this up through his contacts at Chrysler. Finally got to someone in the "Crossfire Tech Team" (somehow affiliated with Mercedes as well as Chrysler, he was uncertain which dotted lines go where in the org chart).

Their reponse (quoting the dealership's paraphrase) "Yes, it is a real problem. Yes, it will be fixed, asap. And, yes the Chrysler Stars Service system has their heads ..." (well, you can fill in the rest). Long story short, a ball was dropped, communication wise. And, this "Crossfire Tech Team" was never informed of the complaint (unsure who was suposed to contact them, the dealer or Stars, I am assuming Stars). Moral of the story - If you are having problems with Chrysler approving repairs make sure the communications have gone past Stars to the tech team.

So, new tranny is already ordered. The nearest two parts depots both show tranny's in stock. Assuming this is accurate (will know tomorrow am, the mechanic was a little leary of trusting the inventory numbers, apparently) the car should be done by the end of the week/early next.

I am not letting myself get happy about this, until I see it and drive it. But, at least I'm not fustrated and angry anymore. Nice even keel. Thanks to everyone for the support, advice, and putting up with my tirades. Hopefully this will be the last one.

Crossed-Fingers
GD