Chrysler Crossfire (2003-2007)

Convertible roof

The soft top roof is operated by seven hydraulic actuators, powered by a hydraulic pump. Your two biggest concerns are hydraulic system issues (mainly leaks) and weather intrusion (fancy name for a leaking roof). Things to check regarding the roof:

• Check for any dampness in the footwells and carpets. Check in the boot too. It’s best to do it after rainfall.

• Open and close the roof a couple times to make sure that it works.

• Check the condition of the roof seals. Ideally, they should be lubricated regularly – ask the previous owner about it.

• Check if the level of hydraulic fluid is correct. If it isn’t, then the car may have been neglected or there is a leak somewhere.

• Look for any hydraulic fluid leaks.

• Get the car up to 60 mph with the roof closed and listen for excessive wind noise.

• Listen for squeaking or rattling noises while driving with the roof closed.

• Take the car to a high pressure (touchless) car wash and see if any water gets inside the cabin or the boot.

• Accident-free history is important for a convertible. If the car participated in a large crash, the roof may be out of alignment, which can make it difficult to waterproof if the chassis of the car isn’t “straight” anymore. This is critical for a hardtop but also important for a soft top convertible.

The hydraulic rams last only so long before the seals deteriorate and start leaking (15 years reliably at most as I see it). There are seven hydraulic cylinders. That’s two more than in the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170), which the Crossfire is based on.

The OEM rams are expensive but there are companies that sell reconditioned units. Also, you can buy just the seals and replace them yourself (advanced DIY).

A word of warning: If you’re not into DIY and you’re not willing to understand how the roof mechanism operates, don’t get an older convertible like the Crossfire.

It may be reliable, but the soft top roof is still a complex piece of machinery, and many small things may at some point require fixing or adjusting. If you can’t diagnose or repair these small things yourself, trying to get the roof sorted out at a car repair shop can be expensive.

Summary of problems & additional information

• The Crossfire is basically a different looking Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170). The R170 is a soft top convertible and shares about 80% of the parts with the Crossfire. Its design may be a bit dated but the R170 is well-engineered and reliable. Despite being a commercial failure due to poor sales, the Chrysler Crossfire is a decent car with no major flaws.

• The Chrysler Crossfire has better corrosion resistance than the Mercedes SLK-Class (R170) it is based on. Corrosion was the biggest problem with the R170 and other Mercedes-Benz cars produced between 1993 and 2004. Luckily, the Crossfire is an improvement in this area.

• If you’re buying the soft top convertible model, look out for any hydraulic fluid leaks and inspect the roof thoroughly. If you don’t have any DIY skills, any problems with the roof may be expensive to sort out.

• The Mercedes-Benz engines used in the Crossfire are fitted with timing chains, which normally don’t have a specified replacement interval. The timing chains in these engines are generally reliable, but they will not last forever. Click here to learn more about timing chains and belts.

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