In july, the rear glass window fell out (part of the glass is still attached) while driving the vehicle on a street. Unknown to me, this issue was a common problem on the 2005 model (the glass adhesive failed). Although Chrysler extended the warranty on the top for 10 years, the warranty covers only cars purchase with specific vins. Unfortunately, my car was not covered or I was not notified. ,…
2005 Chrysler Crossfire visibility problems
moderate 189 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
189
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 189 visibility complaints filed for the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Chrysler Crossfire we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 189.
Visibility accounts for 44% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The rear window of the 2005 Crossfire convertible soft top fails due to adhesive breakdown between the glass and canvas. Owners describe finding gaps forming at the edges, the glass shifting loose while parked, or the window detaching while driving—sometimes held only by defroster wiring. The problem typically appears after 36,000 miles but can occur at any mileage, particularly in hot climates.
Dealers refuse field repairs, stating the entire convertible top must be replaced at $2,000 to $3,500, with parts frequently on back order. Several upholstery shops will not re-glue the window; some substitute a plastic window for ~$500 as an unofficial fix. Owners report the canvas top is often in excellent condition, indicating the adhesive formulation is the failure point.
Chrysler issued Technical Service Bulletin SB-23035-11-REVA in 2011 with a 10-year/100,000-mile extended warranty (X31), but coverage applies only to vehicles originally delivered to nine Southern states. Vehicles delivered elsewhere—or sold secondhand out-of-state—are excluded, even if the owner now lives in a covered state. Chrysler has denied goodwill replacement in most cases, calling the failure age-related wear despite low mileage and garage storage. Owners cite safety hazards: the glass can become a projectile inside the cabin or strike following vehicles if it detaches at speed.
Same Chrysler Crossfire visibility reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rear window adhesive failure and glass delamination
The glass rear window of the convertible soft top separates from the canvas due to failure of the adhesive bond. The problem manifests as gradual delamination, starting at the edges and spreading until the glass becomes loose and detaches partially or completely. Owners report gaps forming between glass and canvas, with the window sometimes held in place only by defroster wiring.
When: Typically after 36,000 miles; can occur as early as 8,000 miles or later depending on vehicle use. Many incidents occur within first 3-6 years of ownership. Problem is prevalent in hot climates (Florida, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii) but also reported nationwide.
Symptoms owners cite: Glass separating from canvas at edges, visible gaps forming; Window partially or fully detaching while parked or driving; Rattling or banging noise from rear of vehicle when driving; Water leaking into trunk when window separates; Window becoming a loose projectile inside or outside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers consistently state the window cannot be re-glued; the entire convertible top must be replaced. Replacement costs quoted range from $2,000 to $3,500 depending on dealership and whether labor is included. Some upholstery shops substitute a plastic window for $500, though this is not a factory solution. Parts often on back order.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued Technical Service Bulletin SB-23035-11-REVA (also referenced as SB-23035-11REVA and TSB 23-035-11REVA) in 2011 with extended warranty X31 covering 10 years/100,000 miles, but only for vehicles originally delivered to nine select Southern states (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and others). Vehicles delivered to other states, or sold out-of-state after initial delivery, are explicitly excluded. Chrysler has denied goodwill replacement in most cases, citing exclusion criteria. Warranty expired shortly after purchase for many owners, leaving them unprotected.
Inadequate adhesive formulation for convertible top glass
The adhesive used at the factory to bond the glass window to the canvas top degrades under heat and UV exposure. The bond fails progressively rather than suddenly, allowing the window to shift and separate. Multiple owners report the top canvas itself is in excellent condition (some never removed from garage), indicating the failure is adhesive-specific and not general wear.
When: Heat-accelerated failure, with incidents concentrated in hot-weather periods. Occurs independent of mileage in some cases (one vehicle with 8,000 miles, another with 3 miles driven). High temperatures (approaching 100°F) are frequently noted as triggering or accelerating failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Glue seal around rear glass dries up and cracks; Adhesive bond visibly fails at edges when inspected; Window edge flexes or moves independently of top fabric
Repairs/costs cited: No field repair for adhesive failure is viable. Replacement tops sometimes come from inventory, but the underlying adhesive formulation issue remains unresolved; some owners report the same problem recurring with replacement tops.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler acknowledges in service bulletins and customer communications that this is a known manufacturing defect in the adhesive. However, coverage is arbitrarily limited by delivery location. Chrysler blamed environmental factors and exclusions for adhesive failures in communications with dealers and owners.
Synthesized from 189 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Rear window failure -- adhesive fails & rear window falls out. The failure of any window is not normal "wear and tear." many of these cars have experienced the same failure over the years. Chrysler finally -- after years of complaints -- issued a service bulletin #23-03511reva in 2011 that, according to Chrysler, covers only vehicles delivered in nine southeastern states. It extends…
The rear window glass is coming out of the convertible top on my 2005 Chrysler crossfire. There was less than 40,000 miles on the car when it started. Went to the dealer to get it looked at and was told that Chrysler would not cover it and that my extended warranty did not cover it. This seems to be a common problem on this model car from what I have been reading on the web. With all I have…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler crossfire convertible. The contact stated that he noticed that the rear windshield delaminated and became a projectile. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the convertible top was being replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000......update 01/20/12 *bf the consumer…
In late august, the rear glass window fell out (part of the glass is still attached) while driving the vehicle on a city street. Unknown to us, this issue was a common problem on the 2005 model (the glass adhesive failed). Although Chrysler extended the warranty on the top for 10 years, the warranty covers only cars purchase in 10 select states. Unfortunately, our car was not purchased in one of…
The back glass adhesive on the convertible soft top on my 2005 Chrysler crossfire roadster is failing on the drivers side almost 3 inches across top and bottom, causing the glass to separate from the fabric top. This adhesive is the only support for the window to the fabric top. The window/top connection currently does not provide a waterproof seal and allows water to enter the vehicle. This…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler crossfire. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear window located in the convertible soft top detached and fell into the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,177.
Had visibility trouble with your 2005 Chrysler Crossfire?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 189 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 175 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 33,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 46,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chrysler/Crossfire.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.