Lemon Law Blog

This Pennsylvania Lemon Law Ford recall alert comes courtesy of our good friend Jim Donovan, consumer crusader at Philadelphia’s CBS-3.

Ford is recalling almost 500,000 SUVs and minivans due to mechanic defects. First up on the list is more than 205,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, model years 2004 and 2005, due to faulty torque converters. The converters’ output shaft may fail, resulting in loss of power.

Next up is more than 244,000 Ford Escapes, model years 2001 and 2002, due to a possible brake fluid leak problem. The vehicles’ brake master cylinder reservoir cap could leak fluid, causing corrosion of the brakes’ electrical components. This corrosion could lead to a fire in the braking system.

Ford will begin contacting customers the week of January 23rd. Being that the cars are being recalled, the parts and labor will be free even though these cars are no longer under manufacturers warranty.

And of course, if you have a newer Ford vehicle that has been in three times under Ford warranty for a brake fluid leak or loss of power, you may want to look into your rights under Pennsylvania Lemon Law and federal warranty laws.

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The end of the year is here but we have been busier than ever at 1800 LEMON LAW assisting distressed drivers with their defective vehicles.  Since many folks don’t believe how well the State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Statutes work, we always like to update readers on recent refunds and repurchases.  Many of these cases were settled in a matter of months. Here’s the latest highlights from December:

2010 Jeep Wrangler, water leak x3,  full repurchase under the New Jersey Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2011 Can Am Spyder Motorcycle, loss of power, replacement bike under Ohio Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2009 Mazda RX 8, no start, registered in Pennsylvania, $5,835 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2006 CPO Land Rover Range Rover with 52,000 miles, registered in New Jersey, steering issue, $4,000 plus attorneys fees 9and they get to keep the car)

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, engine problems, replacement vehicle under New Jersey Lemon Law.

2011 Ford Focus, steering vibration issue, registered in Pennsylvania, $5,000 plus attorney fees (and they keep the car with full warranty)

2008 Chevrolet Silverado with 43,000 miles, registered in Ohio, oil leak, $4000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep the car with full warranty)

2010 Dodge Charger with 26,000 miles, registered in New York, sunroof leak.  $5,550 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car with full warranty).

2011 Honda Accord, clicking noise in rear from being welded improperly, replacement vehicle under Massachusetts Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2007 Ford Mustang Shelby,, registered in New Jersey, transmission problem, $6,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car will full warranty)

2010 Chevrolet Malibu, steering vibration problem, registered in New Jersey, $5,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep the car with full warranty)

2011 Subaru Outback, steering problem, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2011 Hyundai Sonata, transmission issues, registered in Pennsylvania,  $4,000 plus attorney fees (plus they get to keep ther car with full warranty)

2011 Jeep Wranger, water leaks, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2008 Hyundai Satnta Fe, braking problems, full repurchase under Ohio Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2009 Buick Enclave, no start problem, registered in Pennsylvania, $6,500 plus attorney fees (plus they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2011 Dodge Caliber, check engine light problem, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2010 Buick Lacrosse, Out of service 30 days & fixed, registered in Ohio, $6,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep the car with full warranty)

2011 Toyota Tacoma,transmission problem, full repurchase under Maryland Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2008 Ford F350 truck with 60,000 miles, transmission problem, registered in Pennsylvania, $3,500 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep the truck)

2011 Chevrolet Malibu, check engine lights, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2010 Hyundai Tuscon, check engine lights, new replacement vehicle under Maryland Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2011 Hyundai Sonata, brake problems, full repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2010 Chevrolet Traverse with 27,000 miles at first repair, no start, registered in New Jersey, $5,000 plus attorney fees (plus they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2009 Chevrolet Impala, error lights, registered in Pennsylvania,  $6,250 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2012 Buick Lacrosse, service light on for 30 days, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law plus attorney fees.  SETTLED IN 10 DAYS!

2009 Ford E250, broke down, registered in Delaware, $5,250 plus attorney fees (and they got to keep their vehicle)

2010 Buick Lacrosse, towed in 4x, full repurchase under Michigan Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2008 Chevrolet Silverado, registered in Ohio, oil leak, $4,500 plus attorney fees (plus they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2008 Subaru Impreza with 58,000 miles, check engine light problem, registered in Pennsylvania, $5,000 plus attorneys fees (plus they got to keep the car)

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, remote key problem, registered in Pennsylvania, $5,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep the vehicle with full warranty)

2011 Ford F250 truck, problem with reverse aid sensor, registered In Pennsylvania, $5,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their truck with full warranty)

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, water leak, new replacement vehicle under Connecticut Lemon Law plus attorney fees

2007 Freightliner Truck, engine problems, registered in Ohio, $13,200 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their truck)

2011 Land Rover LR4, full repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law

2008 Cadillac CTS, no start problem, registered in Pennsylvania, $5,000 plus attorney fees 9and they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2009 Ford Escape, front end problem, registered in New Jersey, $5,000 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car)

2010 Jaguar XJ, window problem, registered in New Jersey,  $4,500 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their car with full warranty)

2007 GMC Acadia, water leak & no start, registered in New Jersey, $10,377 plus attorney fees (and they get to keep their vehcile with full warranty)

In 2011, we successfully resolved thousands of Lemon Law and breach of warranty claims throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York,  Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington DC, Michigan, Ohio, Wyoming and Tennessee.  If your car is driving you crazy, it’s important for you to learn your rights.  You could be entitled to complete cost-free legal representation.  For more information, fill out our Get Rid Of Your Lemon form or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).  You have nothing to lose but your lemon.

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While we have repeatedly discussed the water leak problem that is occurring in thousands of Jeep Wrangler vehicles, we have also seen several Wrangler cases with a less-discussed problem, something called a “death wobble.”  We have succeeded in cases regarding this issue and we thought it was important to bring the matter to Wrangler drivers’ attention.

The “death wobble” occurs when the axle begins oscillating at a very fast pace, causing the car to shake in an uncontrollable manner.  It feels as if the driver has little to no control over the vehicle when this is happening.

While the problem is easy to diagnose, there is no simple way to fix it.  Service managers may investigate your alignment, steering components, ball joints and tires, but they still may not be able to find a fix.

If you experience this problem, it is important that you bring your Wrangler to an authorized Jeep dealership as soon as possible.  Offer to take the adviser on a test drive so they can duplicate the situation. Remember under State Lemon Laws, you could be entitled to remedy if the vehicle is in the shop an extended period of time to address the “death wobble.”  In certain states, such as New Jersey and Ohio, the Lemon Law only allows the manufacturer one attempt to fix the problem, so if you have to return the Wrangler a second time, make sure that you contact us or another Lemon Law Firm to find our your rights and what you are entitled to.

This is not an issue which should be taken lightly.  If you have experienced this issue, please share your story with us. We will be glad to help in any way possible.

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“I purchased a used car and the dealer didn’t tell me….”

We cannot count the number of calls to the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline starting with this sympathetic phrase.  They didn’t know it was a rental car, off a lease, had more than one owner, or was in an accident.  Well guess what?  Any reader of our <a href=”http://www.lemonlaw.com/” title=”What is Lemon Law”>Lemon Law</a> Blog knows that if you don’t ask about these issues, the dealer does not have to tell you. Yes, your heard correctly.  It’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

A dealer is only required to disclose if a car has a lemon, salvage, flood, or reconstructed title.  So, this means that before you sign on the dotted line, you need to ask the right questions.  And lucky for you, we have those questions listed on our lemon dodger worksheet.  Take this sheet with you and be prepared to walk if the dealer does not provide you with the answers you request.  Also, consider hiring an outside mechanic to check the vehicle out before you drive it off the lot.  A hundred dollars now could save you thousands of dollars later.  And if the dealership has a problem with you arranging for an outside inspection, that should immediately raise a red flag.

Lastly, and just as important, make sure you ask about the warranty and what it entails. Many times, consumers think what is actually a <strong>lemon law</strong> issue is covered under warranty when in fact, it’s not.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Otherwise, you could end up with a used car that uses up all of your funds.

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Hyundai is a company known for quality and solid customer service,  which it is why it so surprising that we are continuing to get calls on the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline from so many distressed 2011 Hyundai Sonata drivers.

We recently wrote about the tire and alignment troubles and transmission problems, and now we are bringing your attention to the issues with Hyundai’s new hybrid model, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. There is a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid check engine light problem.  This is a beautiful car that just hit the production line this year, and unfortunately it appears there are few flaws causing the check engine light to come on, loss of power, and the car stumbling in traffic.  Sadly, being that the car is so new and the problems are intermittent, there are some Hyundai service advisors who are having difficulty verifying and fixing the issue.  But as we have discussed before, this is not your fault and it should not prevent you from fighting for your rights.  Even if the problem cannot be duplicated while at the dealer, make sure you receive a repair invoice with the date, mileage and the complaint. And if you feel that you are getting no satisfaction from your Hyundai dealer, take your car to another authorized Hyundai dealer.  You are permitted to do this under Hyundai warranty.

Lastly, there is an engine-associated recall that all Hyundai Sonata Hybrid drivers need to be aware of.  Please make sure you contact your Hyundai dealer to arrange for the recall as soon as possible.

If your Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is in the shop three or more times (with or without the engine recall), or an extended period of time for the check engine light, loss of power, stumbling, jerking, or any issue, we can help you seek remedy under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Law. As you know, the help under these Laws is completely free to you.  Call 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or send us an e-mail and we will contact you to discuss your situation and how we can help.

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The 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline has been abuzz with Subaru WRX drivers calling in complaining about issues with their transmission and/or turbo engine.  Problems include loss of power, check engine light, clutch noise,  fluid leaks, and assorted transmission issues.

If your Subaru Impreza WRX is heading back to the repair shop repeatedly, or if the car has been in the shop for an extended period of time, please e-mail us and share your problems.  We will be glad to discuss your situation with you and see if you qualify for recourse under the Lemon Law or Federal Warranty Statutes.

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