I have been reading all of the discussion about this issue ... and just got my crossfire back from the dealer yesterday for this problem (1st time reported 8/05 - although it was happening ever since we purchased the car just not very often ... now it's happened in 4 out of 5 times driving it). Of course, they can't duplicate the problem ... I drove it with the tech last night ... it didn't happen. I pulled out of the lot and 1/2 a block away it happened again. Needless to say, I drove it right back to the service dept and they told me they couldn't help me. Contact the service manager on Monday. I talked to him this morning and he has calls into Chrysler but so far no answers. I told him about the TSB's I've found and he looked them up and said they don't apply to my vin #. The story is a lot longer but before I go on, I just wanted to know of others that have had the issue.

What did it take to finally get it fixed and/or did you have to go the Lemon Law route?

I have read that several folks in CA have had the issue. I'm in OC ... Can you guys offer any advice.

I told the service manager this really was a safety issue and things will be alot worse if I get rear-ended in this car ... after reporting a known problem to Chrysler.

By the way, my vin # ends in 5306 and the date of mfg is 8/03.

 

Your dealer is full of Bull S*** and some cars built before Dec 31, 2003 are prone to this problem. It's a well known and documented fact. The early fix was to swap out the transmission. Now they open it up to replace syncros. There have been some cars that still required a tranny swap to fix the problem.

Yes, it is extremely hard for them to duplicate as you never know when it will happen. Stick by your guns and get it fixed.

 

Thanks Ben - I definitely will not give up on this one. The service manager looked up the TSB and stated it was not applicable to my vin# ... Obviously, I told him I don't care what the TSB states ... my car is popping out of first. Like I said, he has calls into Chrysler so I'm giving him until Monday (possibly Wednesday to decide what he's going to do) ... The owner of the dealership returns Wednesday and I have no problem paying him a visit.

 

I have a 07/03 build date. Same problem at 4,000 miles. My dealer replaced the transmission. Works and feels great. The only problem now is that it makes a sloppy noise when the car is in neutral and foot off the clutch. They replace the throw out and that did not stop the noise.

 

+^+^, (I feel like I'm talking to the artist formerly known as "Prinz") but here goes. The gear box in my Viper makes the same noise that you're talking about when it's in neutral and my foot is off the clutch. I read in a Q&A section of the Viper Owners magazine that they make some sort of "additive" that when used is supposed to stop the rattle. If I can find the article, I'll post the name of the product. Or you can call a Dodge dealer, and see if they've ever heard of the stuff. I think it's a Mopar product.

 

Sounds like snake oil. If everything is working as it should, no additives should be required. There is still something wrong with his transmission.

 

ben47, I guess you've never heard of the "special lubricant" that GM sells to add to the differentials with posi-traction. Like I said, I'm pretty sure it has a Mopar part #.
You could be right about it being "snake oil", after all, they did say it was for "Vipers".

 

+fireamx

No I haven't heard about GM's special lubricant but he was talking about a transmission not a posi-trac rear end.

Crossfire owners manual, p.202, "Do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in the detecting fluid leaks".

And as a general rule, special additives are in fact snake oil for whatever system... oil, gas etc.

 

My 2005 x-fire is popping out of first gear as well....They also told me that it doesn't apply. I am supposed to take the car in on Monday...please keep us all posted on your outcome as it will probably effect more of us. There is someone on this forum that lemon law'd their '05 X-fire 6 speed as well, but I didn't see what for.

Also, a lot of cars with lightened flywheels "chatter" with the clutch disengaged. Not sure what the weight on ours is but that may be a reason.

~ Jess

 

I will definitely keep you posted Jess - I have been researching this all day on the internet. There are vin #'s greater than mine that have reported the issue on this forum. I have printed everything out to show my service manager. I will mention your 05 as well. There are also two complaints on the NHTS (not sure if I have all the letters in there, but it's the National Highway and Transportation Safety board). My biggest concern is the safety issue ... we'll see what happens next!

 

You know it is funny that the dodge rep can point us at "hemi" commercials but can't help us out with mechanical issues...

 

ben47, You totally missed the point of my reference to my GMs lubricant remark. It's an "ADDITIVE" to help prevent a problem in their differential.(and it works) Just like Dodge supposedly makes an "ADDITIVE" to help alleviate a problem with their Viper transmission. I only mentioned it because +^+^'s transmission was making the same noises as the transmission in my Viper was making. (or at least it sounded like it was the same from his description).
Sometimes after an "owners manual" get printed, problems show up, and industrious engineer's come up with a simple solution to the problem.
I'm not saying there is a simple fix for the "transmission rattle" that +^+^ spoke of, but maybe there is. And if there is a factory part #'d "snake oil" out there being offered for one Chrysler division, maybe there is something like that for the Crossfire. Possibly all it would take is finding a savvy "parts" guy or girl to find it. If it does indeed exist.

 

I recently took my car in to the dealer to have the ignition switch (key wouldn't turn), side mirrors switch and driver seat fore-aft switch replaced.

My 6-speed has always shifted poorly into/out of first and second. Last month it popped out of first twice within a week after logging more than 20k miles. They looked up the TSB and ordered the transmission synchronizer. It took several days to come in then they didn't have the special tools which they ordered then they didn't have seals or other parts that were required which they had to order, etc., etc.

After TWO weeks, they called me to tell me it was back together but it's now making a "schu-schu-schu-..." sound when the car is moving. This happens in forward and reverse. I picked up the car and am driving it while they are talking to Chrysler about a new transmission. Meanwhile, it's worse than before and on cold mornings I almost come to a stop while trying to shift from first to second.

You'd think that for what Chrysler is shelling out for new transmissions they could have supplied the dealers with more tools and better training.

I just hope the new transmissions are much smoother than the circa Spring '04 models. Any experience out there?

 

X-fired - Can you tell me the year and last 6 #'s of your vin #? I want to prove to my dealer that it's not just happening to those vin #'s identified in the TSB? Thanks ... and good luck with your issues.

 

This may not help you but mine is one of the early ones: 2004, delivered in July 2003, VIN 000450. Still awaiting word on the new transmission.

 

I had this problem as soon as I drove off the lot with the car at 68 miles on the odometer. Since then the TSB fix has been done 3 times and the transmission replaced. Nothing has completely stopped the problem. The new transmission has cut down on the problem but in no way cured it. I am in the process of lemoning the car now. Not sure of the VIN, but the build date was July of 2003.

 

I just had my 2005 in (with 1,300 miles) for the same problem...they can't replicate it...they acknowledged the old TSB, but said that it doesn't apply. Good luck on lemon lawing yours...

~ Jess

 

okeven,

How did your lemon claim turn out?

 

Lemoned... giving the car back within 1 month. Then it will be time for an SRT6. I am confident I will be able to get one for less than 30k. I will keep you guys informed!

 

How did you prove the popping out of gear? I can't replicate it and the dealer doesn't want to replace anything...he acknowledges that it binds going into first, but doesn't want to do anything about it...I am ready to try another dealership and maybe lemon it for an SRT.

~ Jess