Lemon Law Blog

Looking to learn more about car buying and your consumer rights?  WBRE Eyewitness News interviewed 1-800 LEMON LAW Communications Director Michael Sacks on a variety of lemon and car buying stories this month.

The first story,  ‘the list the manufacturers don’t want you to see’, looked at the popular Car Complaint Index, the list of cars that receive the most complaints per sales according the Center for Auto Safety.  From hybrid vehicles with sudden acceleration complaints to SUVs with brake issues, the car compliant index is a list that all car buyers need to see before venturing to the car lot.

Michael also provided some helpful tips when it comes to buying a new car:

Finally, WBRE looked at why the Pennsylvania Lemon Law is so useful to consumers. If you’ve bought a new car and think it’s a lemon, help is available. The law stipulates if you’re back in the shop three or more times for the same problem under warranty, or your car is in the shop for an extended period, you are entitled to legal compensation, completely free of charge. Remedies could include a complete repurchase, a brand new car, or significant monetary compensation and continued ownership of your car.

Read all 3 articles and check out the accompanying videos on PAHOMEPAGE.COM
The List Car Manufacturers Don’t Want You to See
The Lemon Law and You
Tips for Successful Car Shopping

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It’s one of Lemon Law. Com’s most popular features, the annual Car Complaint Index.  The list, put out every year by Automotive Consumer Advocate Jack Gillis, takes a look at which cars receive the most consumer complaints per sales.

It’s important to note that this list is not an end-all, be-all.  In fact there are cars on this list that are still ranked as best buys by Gillis and other consumer publications.  The list is subjective and is based solely on the consumers who take the time to complain to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration about their cars.  You can read these complaints by clicking here.

So, if the list is subjective, why is it so important?  Because it provides another valuable piece of information when you are researching the right car for you.  If you see a number of complaints pertaining to a particular make and model, you may want to steer clear (pun intended) or at least ask the dealer if the manufacturer has addressed the problem.  An educated consumer is an effective consumer and this list could help you make your decision between one car over another one.

First and second on the list are Toyota vehicles, which comes as no surprise following all of the sudden acceleration stories in the news. The granddaddy of the hybrid, the Toyota Prius is first followed by the Lexus HS sedan. Throughout the complaints, there are drivers complaining of problems with their gas pedal and their brakes.

One thing that is worth mentioning when discussing hybrid vehicles is that hybrids drive differently than traditional cars.  You need to test drive a few hybrid models before purchasing one to ensure that you enjoy the ride.  Often, it’s not as smooth but that is a characteristic of the hybrid model.

Third on the list for a second year is the Jaguar XF, the most reasonable sedan of the Jaguar line.  In this situation, electrical issues are irking drivers, who complain of problems with stalling and their bluetooth.   The bluetooth may seem more like a nuisance but when you figure that many states now have cell phone laws, that bluetooth is becoming more and more important.

Subaru has dibs on four and five on the list.  The cross-over Subaru Outback is number four, with stalling again serving as a common thread through many complaints, particularly a loss of power when changing gears.  Some Subaru Legacy drivers are complaining of vibration when driving, making it difficult to keep control on the road.

The Dodge Journey has a few drivers on a journey to find a fix to their stalling problem.  While some drivers have had their computer and ignition switches replaced, others have complained to the dealer and have been met with an invoice which reads “Can Not Duplicate,” leaving them stranded and frustrated.

To see the complete car complaint index, click here.  And if you find you are experiencing these problems with your car, remember the Lemon Law provides 100% cost-free legal representation to help you fight for your rights.  Feel free to contact us at 1-800 LEMON LAW or by clicking here.

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No, we are not talking about that ridiculous boy band song.  We are saying that if you have some money in your pocket, now is the time to consider buying a new set of wheels. The incentives are very attractive, there are many dealers out there who are hungry to make a great deal with you, the cash for clunkers program is in effect, and there are still plenty of 2009 models out there for the picking.  Heck, you can even consider a certified pre-owned car, but as we have repeatedly reminded you, if you buy a used car, please make sure it has a manufacturers warranty.

Just remember the five golden rules you need to keep in mind when aiming to buy your next auto:

KNOW YOUR NEEDS.  Identify what you need a car for.  Is it to get to work an hour away and use as little gas as possible?  Consider a hybrid.  Is it to taxi your brood of children from soccer games to ballet to Chuck E Cheese and then back to ballet because you daughter forgot her slippers? You may want to consider a minivan or crossover.  Figure out your daily schedule and that will help you narrow down the search immensely.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.  It’s so important we say it three times.  The internet provides so many incredible opportunities to gather information about cars.  There are reviews on such sites as vehix.com, where you can even put together a side-by-side comparison.  There is a complaint and defect database at the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Every manufacturer from Kia to Jaguar has a comprehensive website where you can examine a model inside and out, review its features and its pricing.  Plus, there are so many automotive forums out there, the king being at edmunds.com. And lastly, don’t forget about our car complaint index and best bets, furnished by consumer advocate Jack Gillis and the good people at the Center for Auto Safety. Before you drive to the dealer, take a trip down the information superhighway and learn everything you can about the car you are looking at. Remember, an educated consumer is an effective consumer.  (And if you do have a gas guzzler you are thinking of trading in, read up on the Cash For Clunkers program before going to the dealer.  Don’t rely on the salesman to give you the most accurate information.  Know your stuff beforehand and correct him if necessary.)

TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.  And we are not talking about a car like the one you are planning to buy; we are talking about the EXACT car you are buying.  BEFORE you sign on the dotted line, take the car out for a long test drive and go through every single feature from the air conditioner to the trunk release.  Make sure you ask every question and if something is not working, tell them to fix it NOW.  Never settle for an IOU.  This is your one chance to demand satisfaction.  Take advantage of the opportunity. 

UNDERSTAND YOUR WARRANTY.  Every warranty is different.  You need to know the terms of the warranty and what it covers.  Is it cheaper to buy an extended manufacturers warranty when you first buy the car or can you purchase it later?  If this is a used car, is it covered by the company who is manufacturing your car? (We get so many folks calling the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline who are driving a used Toyota with a Kia warranty. Make sure if you are driving a Toyota, you have a Toyota warranty.)  Are there deductibles?  Is it bumper-to-bumper or does it just cover the powertrain components?  Is roadside assistance offered?  Are loaner cars provided?  The warranty is your insurance that if something goes wrong with this car, and chances are it will at least once, you are covered.  Which bring us to…..

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS.  If something continues to go wrong with your car, or the car is in the shop for an extended period of time, contact a lemon law attorney to find out about your rights.  The State and Federal Laws are on your side and help you go against the billion-dollar automobile manufacturers. Remember, the legal help is completely free, so take advantage of it.

Now, without further ado, get your motor running, head out on the highway, and good luck!

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NBC 10 Consumer Reporter Tracy Davidson recently reported on the 2009 Car Complaint Index.  As Tracy reports, the big story is not which cars are on the list, but rather WHY these cars are on the list in the first place.

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Late last month, we worked on an investigative report with WTAE TV reporter Paul Van Osdel, uncovering which cars provides the most headaches for drivers throughout the Keystone State. Paul obtained a list from PENNDot (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) and according to their records, from 2003-2008, Chevrolet led the list of lemons in Pennsylvania. Their list is as follows:

Chevrolet (their story featured 1-800 LEMON LAW client Sarah Griffith of Monroeville, who received a complete buyback after suffering problems with her Trailblazer)

Ford
Dodge
Nissan
Suzuki
Jeep
Hyundai
Cadillac
Volkswagen
GMC

We find this list to be rather incomplete, as it only covers vehicles that were purchased back from the manufacturer and officially titled as lemons. The list does not include vehicles where consumers received thousands of dollar in monetary damages and were able to keep their cars.

Being that we are the oldest and largest lemon law firm in Western Pennsylvania, Paul asked us to compile a list of the cars we see the most in our Pittsburgh caseload. Although he didn’t have time for the information in the story, we thought it would be interesting to give our top 10:
Chevrolet Cobalt
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Malibu
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Liberty
Chevrolet Equinox
Kia Sedona
Pontiac G6
Saturn VUE
Jeep Commander
Jeep Wrangler

and of course, to view the cars that receive the most complaints nationally per sales, check out the 2009 Car Complaint Index.

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This year, the Car Complaint Index takes on a whole new meaning, as more and more consumers are complaining that their dealers can not duplicate their problems.  In addition, many components are on back order, requiring many distressed drivers to wait months before having their vehicles properly fixed.  Lemon Law Attorney Craig Thor Kimmel joined Fox 29 consumer reporter Michelle Buckman on Good Day Philadelphia to discuss how drivers can still find their way on the road to recovery despite these tremendous obstacles.  You can read the whole story by clicking here.

Watch the video here:

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