After driving my new Crossfire for a week, every once in a while, when accellerating in first gear, it pops out of first gear and into neutral with a loud "thunk". Is it just me getting lazy and not shifting completely into first at a stop light, or have others experienced this?

 

Sounds like a driver issue. Have not heard anything like this before...

 

Have over 2000 miles on my stick shift, no problems at all!!! :shock:

 

The good news is that it doesn't seem to be intrinsic in the car; the bad news (for me) is that it definitely is a problem in MY car...has happened at least 20 times since being aware of the problem (and being extra careful) in the 1000 miles I've driven. I talked to the dealer this morning and they're going to take a look at the entire drive train on Wednesday...will let you know what happens.

Gotta say, tho, faults and all, I love my Crossfire!! And the dealer (Tuttle Click in Irvine, CA) has been EXCEPTIONAL from sales through service.

 

I had the same problem on my BMW 740i. In my case the clutch was and gearbox was torn. Who knows who made test drives until you bought it...

 

Forgive my mechanical ignorance, but the update is that Chrysler sent the dealer a special tool that they used today to make some adjustment to better align the gear mechanism (hey, I said I was mechanically ignorant!). They made the adjustment, and the problem is better but still there, so the dealer is waiting to hear from Chrysler what they want to do next...

 

I'm sorry you're having problems with your Crossfire. Look at it this way... you're probably the first person they've had this problem with, so they're going to make the extra effort to get to the bottom of it. I'm sure it will be as good as new soon.

 

Absolutely agree. Everyone has been great, and even tho they upgraded my free rental car from a Focus to a Camry, I sooooo miss seeing those Porsche, Audi, and Z drivers checking out that beautiful Crossfire when I speed past! What an incredibly fun car to drive...the withdrawals are killing me.

 

It is really is a problem. I have had my xfire for a little over a week. I've almost been hit about 20 times in the rear from pulling off from a stop light. It just drops out of 1st gear with this horrible noise that sounds like the bottom dropped out of the car. I called the dealer. Their response was as follows: "We have a tech @ school in Chicago to learn how to work on the xfire. Call us next week after he comes back" I then told them to call the tech so he can ask the question in school tomorrow! They said they'll let me know. I'll keep everyone posted on the developments.

 

It happened to me today, but I don't think I had it in gear all the way or something, because it only happened once. It does scare the heck out of you though. Hopefully it isn't a problem with the car, and just my error. If it happens again, I'll call the dealer to let them know.

 

Here's the latest: I had it at the dealer last week and they said that Chrysler sent them a special tool to make an adjustment. They made the adjustment, and it helped, but the problem still happened, only less, during their test drive. So they made an additional adjustment and it passed the 20 mile test drive and picked up the car. The service receipt said, "Reading service manual trans. page 21-386 / Inspect shifter cable is out adjust and shifter lock nut is not in lock hose. Adjusted shifter to factory specs. Retightened shifter lock nut." It drove wonderfully for about 300 miles...but then it happend again. And again about 20 miles later. I went back to the dealer, and they are ordering me a new transmission that they are putting in next week. I'm driving the car in the meantime as it happens much less frequently now...but still scares the heck out of me...I now baby every take off for fear of it happening. The dealer said that they checked and only one other transmission has been sold in the US so far and no one has heard of this problem. He also said that the Daimler influence is great...that their attitude after the dealer tried their best was to go ahead and pull the transmission and send it to them so they can fully inspect and test it, rather than asking the dealer to pull it apart. He said they are very very concerned about quality and want to make sure it's not instrinsic to the car. So they're shipping out a new transmission next week and they'll make the switch. I'll let you know if I hear anything new.

 

GREAT NEWS: Chrysler found/recognizes the problem. Apparently there are a few of us around the country experiencing the same problem. I got the impression from the dealer that it was a temporary problem on a few of the cars...not all of them. They are putting together a "fix package" for anyone reporting the trouble so it will be fixed and won't happen again. It's nice to know they they've acted quickly to research the problem and just as quickly to take care of it.

 

THANK YOU DIANE FOR PAVING THE WAY FOR THE REST OF US!! YOU'RE GREAT!

 

Any details on the "fix package?" I don't have the problem - just curious.

 

Do you still get a new transmission?

 

My car goes in on Monday for a new transmission and I'll try to find out more about the exact cause and the fix package. I got the impression I am getting a new trany because I've already had it in the shop three times for this problem and they want to take care of it once and for all (so do I!). Chrysler just figured out the fix, and the trany was ordered before the fix was completed.

 

Wow, that is good news/bad news. I would have them replace the whole car and not just the transmission. The Lemon Law in TX gives the consumer the right to have the car replaced. Replacing the trans is kinda a big deal, and therefore I'd rather have a new car. Good news is they are will to replace it--but then again they know they have to by law. I'd complain a little more and threaten a lawsuit if they do not give you a whole new car. If the trans is bad, makes me wonder if any other mechanical issues are lurking under the hood. Definately let us know what happens...

 

I think asking for a new car rather than a trans replacement is alittle extreme no matter what the law says!! You have to cut them alittle slack because the car is a new model and the parts are coming from germany!

 

ctech:

I agree, but putting in a new transmission into a brand new car also could hurt the resale down the road--if the buyer finds out. Not a big deal to some, just worth asking of the dealer. I know DCX would not want word to get out that the Xfire is having transmission issues (not starting a rumor, just repeating what the orginal poster said) and need replacing already. Agree it's extreme (to a certain extent) but know that if it were my Xfire I'd be bitching up a storm--thank goodness there are others out there more paitent than I am :lol:

 

Well, I'm from California, and you know how laid back we are here. I'm just glad for the new trany finally...and figure it'll be good karma not to hassle them for more (besides, our lemon law doesn't kick in till it's in the shop a few more times). I'm hoping this will be the worst of it, and it will be smooth driving from here on out.