Lemon Law Blog

We have started getting calls on the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline from distressed drivers complaining of a Chevrolet Sonic starting problem.  They will be at home or in a parking lot when all of a sudden the car will not start leaving the driver stranded.  And what makes matters worse is that GM service advisers do not have any current solution for the problem.  They are encouraging Sonic drivers to lock and unlock their car repeatedly to get the car moving.  This is certainly not what you want to hear when you purchase a brand new car.

We have heard from folks who have been advised not to drive with key cards in their pockets or park next to cars with large antennas.  What?  We heard about another situation where the car has been out of service for months because every time they start the Sonic up, it stalls again.

If you are suffering with Chevrolet Sonic starting problems, it is important that you report the issue to a GM authorized dealer each and every occurrence, and if necessary have the car towed in to see if they can verify or duplicate the problem.  Do not settle for the lock/unlock remedy.  Make sure they look at the car thoroughly and that you receive a repair invoice each and every time you report the issue.  If you are back in for Chevrolet Sonic stalling problems three or more times, or your Sonic is in a shop for an extended period of time, it is important that you contact a Lemon Law Lawyer to discuss your rights under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  You may be able to get a complete refund and legal help is free.

If you have a Chevrolet Sonic that is stalling, feel free to fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form for more information.

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Suzuki Kizashi owners are contacting the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline with a number of paint complaints.  What starts out as simple paint chipping has led to paint stripping off the car in a spider web type pattern.  Suzuki has repainted many vehicles under the manufacturers warranty, however drivers have found the paint not to be of the same quality and the value of the vehicle diminished as a result.

If you are suffering with paint issues with your Suzuki Kizashi, bring the vehicle back to a Suzuki authorized dealer as soon as possible.  Make sure all warranty repairs are documented and hold on to any repair invoices pertaining to the issue.

If you find yourself dealing with repetitive Suzuki Kizashi paint problems, call us at 1 -800 LEMON LAW.  We will be glad to discuss your situation and how we can help.

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Attention all distressed drivers throughout Ocean County, New Jersey:  If you are having continuous  problems with your car, don’t miss the Wednesday May 9th edition of “Eye On Ocean County.”  Host Christina Sacco is joined by NJ Lemon Law Attorney Amy Bennecoff and 1 800 LEMON LAW Communications Director Michael Sacks for 30 minutes of useful news and information regarding the New Jersey Lemon Law.

The special also includes a discussion on the 2012 Car Complaint Index, tips for purchasing a car without being taken for a ride and the importance of a manufacturers warranty.   Ocean County Comcast viewers can join us Wednesday evening,  May 9 at 8:30 on Comcast Channel 97 and 9:00 on Channel 19.

According to Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety, The New Jersey Lemon Law is one of the strongest Lemon Laws in the Country  for several reasons.  First and foremost, the problem needs to occur three times but only the  first instance needs to be  in the first two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.  This period is much longer than other surrounding states, namely Pennsylvania (12 months/12,000 miles) or Delaware (12 months/no mileage limit). Secondly, if the car is out of service for 20 days or more in the 24 month/24,000 miles period, it qualifies as a lemon. And these days do not have to be consecutive or for the same problem. In addition, there is a provision in the Law that a manufacturer has only one chance to fix a problem which could cause death or bodily harm, such as stalling on the highway.  If the issue happens a second time, the driver has the right to file a claim under the Lemon Law. There are very few states that offer this special provision, including Ohio.

Lastly, the New Jersey Lemon Law provides completely free legal help to the consumer.  If you prevail, the manufacturer must pay all attorney fees and legal costs ON TOP OF what the consumer receives.  And if the consumer does not prevail, there is no cost.  Thus, there is no cost and no risk to filing a Lemon Law claim.  (Please be advised though this is NOT the case if you file through the State.  The NJ Lemon Law Unit  requires a $50 filing fee and all decisions are binding and final.  Be very weary about trying to fight your claim in that venue.) The New Jersey Lemon Law covers all new cars, non-commercial trucks and motorcycles that are  leased, purchased or registered in the Garden  State.  Remedies include a new vehicle, a full repurchase or a partial refund and continued ownership of the vehicle.

Of course, if you fall outside the NJ Lemon Law parameters, or if you purchased your vehicle used, you still have a rights under the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.  Under the Federal Warranty Law, if you have been back three or more times under the original or extended manufacturers warranty, you could be entitled to monetary compensation to reflect the diminished value of the vehicle as a result of the defect.  And just like the Lemon Law, representation is completely cost-free.

For more information on the New Jersey Lemon Law, visit www.lemonlaw.com or call 1 800 LEMON LAW. We will be glad to discuss your situation and how we can help.

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Driving a diesel Ford  F-Truck with an R as the eighth letter in your VIN?  If so, you may be dealing with a number of defects.

For quite a few years, we have continuously received calls on the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline from Ford F-150, F 250, F 350 and F 450 drivers complaining of blue, white or gray smoke coming from their vehicle, along with overheating issues and loss of power.  Many of these Ford trucks are also dealing with  problems with their radiator and/or degas bottle leaking coolant.

If you are having problems with your defective diesel truck, it is essential that you get to a Ford authorized dealership for repairs.  Make sure when meeting with the service adviser that you provide a comprehensive list of your complaints.  If necessary, offer to take the service adviser on a test drive to illustrate the issues.  You also make want to take photographs of the smoke or coolant leak. The more information you provide, the more likely the mechanic will identify the problem associated with your diesel truck.  When picking up the truck, make sure you also receive a service invoice which outlines all of the problems and the work that was done to address the problems.  Keep those invoices in a safe easy-to-find place.

If you have been in repeatedly for problems with the Ford F Truck, or an extended period of time, it is important that you look at your rights under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws. For many years, we have been helping Ford F Trucks drivers  with their defective vehicles.   Depending on the situation, you could be looking a new truck, a repurchase, or at the very least monetary compensation to reflect the diminished value of the truck as a result of the problems.  Based of all, legal help is free.

If you feel that your truck  is not “built tough” and you are having Ford F Truck diesel problems, call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW or fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.

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You may remember our previous 2011 blog post regarding alignment issues with Hyundai Sonata models. Throuhgout the past year,  numerous Hyundai drivers have complained that their Sonatas are constantly pulling to the right or left, resulting in uneven tire wear and other problems.   As you can imagine, we have had numerous distressed drivers call into 1 800 LEMON LAW with this problem, and we have successfully resolved numerous claims surrounding the situation.

Now this problem is spreading and numerous Kia Sorento drivers are also complaining of their vehicles pulling to the left or right.  It seems that the electronic power steering system is very similar in both the Hyundai and Kia models, resulting in numerous drivers experiencing  Kia Sorento steering problems.   If you are in the shop three or more times because your Kia Sorento cannot stay straight on the road, it is important that you look into your rights under State Lemon Laws or federal Warranty Laws.  You could be looking into a new car, a complete repurchase or monetary compensation and continued ownership of the vehicle.  And best of all, under both the Lemon Law and Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, legal representation is completely cost-free to the consumer.

If you are dealing with Kia Sorento steering problems, call 1 800 LEMON LAW or click here to find a Lemon law Lawyer in your state.

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We have received word from several distressed drivers that Hyundai is having recurring transmission problems with its Tucson model, resulting in a number of vehicles having their transmissions replaced, while others are continuing to go back to the shop repeatedly with no fix in sight.

Hyundai Tucson drivers  are complaining on message boards of vehicles failing to go into reverse, transmission fluid leaks, fluid changing colors, and parts on back order .  If you are having Hyundai Tucson transmission problems, it is essential that you hold on to all repair invoices.  If you find that you are having to return to the shop repeatedly for your Tucson transmission issue, or if you find that your Hyundai Tucson is in the shop an extended period of time, it is essential that you look into your Lemon Law or Federal Warranty rights.  You could be looking at a repurchase, a new vehicle, or significant moentaty compensation.  Best of all, the Lemon Law help is completely cost-free.

For more information, call 1 800 LEMON LAW (1-800 -536-6652) or fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.

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