2004 Chrysler Crossfire Problems
- Complaints
- 109filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 54,500miles, 91 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe ignition problems: the key will not turn, the steering wheel stays locked, or the car suddenly stalls and will not restart. Reported mileage varies widely, from low-mileage cars with little use to well over 100,000 miles, and many complaints note that dealers could not duplicate or confirm the cause. A smaller but recurring group involves the six-speed manual transmission dropping out of first gear and several electrical or trim concerns.
- Engine
Engine stalls while driving, then will not restart
- 27 complaints (25%)
- median 72,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (26 state mileage)
- filed 2007–2023
Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at highway or city speeds, leaving the car coasting to a stop, and then cranking without starting or not cranking at all. Some owners say the car restarts after a wait of minutes to hours, while others report it would not start again for days. Dealers were often unable to reproduce or diagnose the problem; where a cause was suggested, complaints mention the ignition control module, crankshaft sensor and wiring, the ignition housing, or the remote entry/key module. Typically reported between about 6,000 and 120,000 miles, at both highway and lower speeds.
What to check: Ask for any repair records for stalling, crankshaft sensor, ignition module, or key/remote entry module work, and take a long test drive including highway speed and a hot restart.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving home on the highway from work and my car suddenly shuts down tried to crank it, but nothing happens all the lights and radio comes on, but the engine doesn't start. Hasn't been cranking for over a little over two weeks now. This is very dangerous could have caused a wreck to harm me or other parties. This needs to be looked in further.”
NHTSA complaint #10919742, filed 2016-10, 114,326 miles“The Chrysler Crossfire is a nice looking vehicle but I've had an issues that my engine would shutdown without warning. The car would restart upwards to about 2 hours later but would shutdown again several miles later. Took it to the dealership three times and they have not been able to sort it out. I am now unable to use the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10257167, filed 2009-02, 24,333 miles - Electrical system
Ignition key will not turn / steering lock stuck
- 26 complaints (24%)
- median 61,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (24 state mileage)
- filed 2007–2020
Owners report that the key becomes difficult or impossible to turn in the ignition, sometimes along with a locked steering wheel, so the car cannot be started and may need to be towed. Some describe having to jiggle the wheel and force the key repeatedly, sometimes for many minutes, before it turns. According to complaints, dealers variously lubricated the lock, replaced the ignition cylinder, housing, switch, or key, or said the cause could not be determined, and several owners reported the problem returning after repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 30,000 to about 140,000 miles, with several cases in the 40,000-80,000 mile range.
What to check: Before buying, turn the key through all positions several times and try starting the car cold and after it has been parked; ask whether the ignition cylinder, housing, or switch has ever been replaced and whether a new key was needed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Steering wheel it lock and when I want to start the car , the key in the ignition will not move . Is the second time it happened . The first time was two years a go ( year 2010 ) when I had 30000 miles on the car , and I had to buy a new assembly ( the lock-cylinder housing , ignition lock cylinder , switch and the key . ) now the dealer told me I need a new ignition lock cylinder and maybe a new key again ) .”
NHTSA complaint #10504907, filed 2013-03, 60,000 miles“Ever since I have had my Chrysler Crossfire the ignition cylinder has given my problems, key will not turn in cylinder, not even to position one! And this happens of a daily basis. After a few tries to jerk the steering wheel it will turn on but not the last time and took it to the dealership and they said $1250 to repair the cylinder and that may not fix the problem. Have talked to many Crossfire owners and they all have had to same issue, why is this not a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10421350, filed 2011-08, 62,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Six-speed manual pops out of first gear
- 6 complaints (6%)
- median 30,255 mi at 6.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2003–2018
Owners of the manual-transmission car report that it slips or pops out of first gear into neutral when starting off, sometimes repeatedly. Several decided to skip first gear entirely because the behavior was so predictable, and a few describe it happening while merging or pulling into traffic. According to the complaints, dealer service personnel observed the behavior but repairs were limited; one owner cited a service bulletin reference. Reported from very low mileage (roughly 300-1,500 miles) up to about 150,000 miles.
What to check: On a manual car, drive in first gear from a stop several times, including under light throttle, and ask whether the transmission has been opened up or the fluid serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“As I've read on here, this car has a tendency to drop out of 1st gear on take off. This happens frequently enough that I've studied whether my hand on the shift or not makes a difference. It doesn't. Just why Chrysler thinks this isn't a defect is beyond comprehension. Its a 6 speed and I quit using 1st gear, too unpredictable, or rather too predictable as I know its going to drop out.”
NHTSA complaint #10608439, filed 2014-07, 153,000 miles“Chrysler cross fire 2004. The manual transmission violently slips out of first gear into neutral after the car is moving the vechile and the clutch is disengaged. Albeit infrequently. This causes a very dangerous situation, crossing traffic that isn't controlled via a sign or light. Or, at any stop with someone behind you. In the 1,500 miles I've driven the car since I purchased it, I have narrowly avoided being rear-ended three times due to this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045617, filed 2003-11, 1,100 miles
Buying note. Because most sampled complaints concern the ignition lock and sudden stalling, a thorough start-up check and any service history for ignition or sensor work matter more than mileage on this model year. Ask specifically about the key, ignition cylinder, and stalling repairs, and drive a manual car in first gear before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 109 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire. 91 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system50 46%
- Engine14 13%
- Body and structure10 9.2%
- Air bags8 7.3%
- Other or unknown8 7.3%
- Steering7 6.4%
- Tires7 6.4%
- Engine cooling5 4.6%
- Suspension5 4.6%
Also reported: Brakes (4), Exterior lighting (3), Electronic stability control (2), Equipment (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Fuel system (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I was driving down the interstate and engine suddenly cut off and I had to push it to the side of the road, I could have been rear-ended easily. There was no power and engine would not turn over, only electronics would light up and engine fan would run at a high rate of speed.I do not understand why Chrysler/mercedes would not have a recall on this yet. Apparently it is the rcm module that has bad solder points so I have heard. Very dangerous that this is happening to a vehicle with under 100k miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11315654, filed 2020-03, 98,000 milesEngine: “I was driving 70 MPH on i81 when my 2010 Chrysler Crossfire simply stopped running. I was beside a truck with one in front and 3 behind. Barely made it to the side of the road and caused a lot of breaking and honking. The 5th time this has happened, and was extremely dangerous.... The Crossfire does not start after the engine stalls and the steering wheel locks up. I'm amazed that I made it out alive each time. Have spent $1800 trying to have it fixed but the Chrysler dealership doesn't know what the problem is. This is ridiculous”
NHTSA complaint #10892077, filed 2016-08, 118,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “At 50 MPH on a maryland state highway, the engine unexpectedly shut off resulting in the vehicle coasting to a stop in the traffic lane (there was no shoulder). Fortunately, I was not struck by another vehicle, but it was dark and vehicles coming over a small hill and slight curve had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The engine would crank and start briefly and then sputter to a stop. Or, it would just crank and not fire or not crank at all. I was eventually, with assistance, able to push the vehicle off the roadway into a residential driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10874620, filed 2016-06, 23,000 milesBody and structure: “The wrapping of the interior driver's side door grip appears to have begun to separate on the inside and is pealing. A sharp edge of the metal is being exposed and as a result, I have cut my left hand fingers on several occasions when closing the door. The passenger side is also beginning to exhibit similar problems for the door grip.”
NHTSA complaint #10238542, filed 2008-08, 30,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
49% of the 91 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossfire · coupe | not rated | 5 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Chrysler Crossfire version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossfire RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Crossfire RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10223942Oct 30, 2020Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. Convertible Switch Lamp Flashes When Attempting To Operate The Power Convertible Top, Convertible Top Does Not Operate to Open
- 10183053Oct 30, 2020Electrical system, Body and structure, Equipment. Convertible Switch Lamp Flashes When Attempting To Operate The Power Convertible Top, Convertible Top Does Not Operate to Open
- 10229256Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10221686Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Body and structure, Equipment. Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Other model years of the Chrysler Crossfire
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 27 | 24,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 38 | 36,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 41 | 39,650 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 189 | 49,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 109 | 54,500 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Chrysler Crossfire model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire?
Owners of this model year most often describe ignition problems: the key will not turn, the steering wheel stays locked, or the car suddenly stalls and will not restart. The issues reported most often: Engine stalls while driving, then will not restart; Ignition key will not turn / steering lock stuck; Six-speed manual pops out of first gear.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire have?
NHTSA recorded 109 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 50 complaints (46% of the total), followed by engine with 14.
Has the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (Crossfire, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire reported?
Among the 91 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,500 miles and the middle half falls between 26,000 and 98,000 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.