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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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:

It’s one of our most popular on-line features and we are pleased to announce we have the 2009 list, courtesy of our good friends at Gillis Associates.  The 2009 Car Complaint Index provides consumers with the vehicles that receive the most projected complaints per sales, and the answers may surprise you.  It is reprinted from the 2009 Car Book with the permission of consumer advocate Jack Gillis and The Center for Auto Safety. 

You can check out the entire list by clicking here. Also, if you live in Central or Northern New Jersey, be sure to join Automotive Consumer Advocate and 1-800 LEMON LAW Communications Director Michael Sacks this weekend on “In Your Corner” on News 12 New Jersey. Michael will run down the top five vehicles on the list, and discuss some of the complaints these vehicles are receiving on the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration (NHTSA) complaint database.  Check out www.news12.com for airtimes. 

CBS3 Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan reported today on the 2008 Car Complaint Index.  You can catch his very informative report, featuring lemon law lawyer Craig Kimmel, by clicking here.

This year, we have handled numerous lemon law claims with regards to the Jeep Commander (#6 on this year’s car complaint index) and the Pontiac G6.  Now comes word from consumer affairs.com that NHTSA, The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation which could lead to a recall of 136,444 Commanders and 176,968 Pontiacs.

Jeep Commander drviers have been complaining of stalling incidents with simultaneous loss of lighting systems including headlamps. NHTSA has also received 19 complaints of power steering from Pontiac G6 drivers with two incidents resulting in accidents.

If you find that you are experiencing problems with your Jeep Commander or Pontiac G6, it’s very important to keep all of your reapir invoices and keep a log when you are experiencing problems.  If you bring your car in the shop three or more times, you could be entitled to significant remedy under State or Federal Law.  Feel free to contact us or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

Attention Pennsylvania Comcast viewers:

Lemon Law attorney Craig Thor Kimmel will discuss the 2008 Car Complaint Index on Comcast Newsmakers.  The program is seen on the CNN Headline News channel at the following times:

Wednesday 6/11 at 8:25 am and 4:25 pm

Thursday 6/12 at 7:25 am and 3:25 pm

Friday 6/13 at 6:25 am, 2:25 pm, and 10:25 pm

Saturday 6/14 at 5:25 am, 1:25 pm, and 9:25 pm

Sunday 6/15 at 4:25 am and 12:25 pm

Monday 6/16 at 3:25 am and 11:25 am

Tuesday 6/17 at 2:25 am, 10:25 am, and 6:25 pm

We are very proud of our website. Since it’s inception over ten years ago as the first site dealing specifically with lemon law and breach of warranty rights, we have provided information to more than 20 million visitors.  We have been recognized by many organizations for providing comprehensive and useful information to both distressed drivers who already have a lemon car and potential car-buyers who are looking to buy a car without being taken for a ride.

That being said, it often surprises us when folks reach out to us for assistance and information, and then proceed to tell us that they think they will be able to handle it on their own through the dealership.  That would be okay–if the dealer was the defendant, but they are not.  In most cases, dealerships have NO authority to offer a consumer a buy back or an MSRP to MSRP swap (not a trade, but a swap). In addition, most consumers have

**NO access to the manufacturer’s legal counsel.  Sure, you can call the customer service hotline and receive a case number, but what does that mean?  And, who are you talking to on the other line? In most cases, this is a pacifier.

**NO true knowledge of the last chance letter we frequently see on websites. Consumers should not send a last chance letter on their own.  Why are you only giving the consumer one last chance to fix the problem, when there is no guarantee that you will get a new car or buyback.  This is a law; it is not a guarantee.  Plus, you are creating a hostile environment between you and the dealership.  You need to speak to a lawyer first before issuing such a letter. 

**NO access to technical service bulletins, recalls, or case study to determine if the problems you are experiencing are common among the masses.  Plus, law firms offer ASE-certified experts who will write expert reports on cars and their conditions–at NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

**NO ability to enforce the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.  Yes, dealers are required to discuss the Lemon Law with you when you purchase a car.  But, if your problems fall outside the lemon law provisions, ask them about the Mag Moss and they will stare at you like you are speaking another language?  Do you think the dealer is going to offer you thousands of dollars to reflect the diminished value of the car? No and they are not required to.  If you have a car with 50,000 miles on it, what can a dealer do for you?  An oil change, a monthly payment, at the most an extended warranty, but you are entitled to SO MUCH MORE.

Our goal is to educate you about your rights so that you will enforce them if you need to.  However, the beauty of these laws is that they offer provisions which put you on EQUAL FOOTING with the billion-dollar manufacturers?  These provisions provide completely free legal help, either through us or another Firm.  Take advantage of them.  Let those who are more knowledgeable help you.  I can’t tell you the number of folks who tried to do this on their own, failed, and then virtually voided their rights.  If you are going to fight, make sure you have someone in your corner who knows how to battle. OK, I’m stepping off my soapbox now.

A quick programming note for viewers in the Delaware Valley–Craig Kimmel will be discussing the 2008 Car Complaint Index and the Center for Auto Safety’s Best Bets tonight on the Fox 29 News at 5.

Lemon Law Lawyer Craig Thor Kimmel will be discussing the 2007 Car Complaint Index live on “Your Morning,”  Tuesday at 7:30am on CN8, The Comcast Network.

If you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas, catch K&S Lemon Law Attorney Craig Thor Kimmel discussing the 2007 Car Complaint Index on Comcast Newsmakers all this week. Tune into the CNN Headline News Channel at the following times:

Wednesday7/25/2007
6:25 AM
2:25 PM

Thursday7/26/2007
5:25 AM
1:25 PM
9:25 PM

Friday7/27/2007
4:25 AM
12:25 PM
8:25 PM

Saturday7/28/2007
3:25 AM
11:25 AM
7:25 PM

Sunday7/29/2007
2:25 AM
10:25 AM
6:25 PM

Monday7/30/2007
9:25 AM
5:25 PM

Tuesday7/31/2007
8:25 AM
4:25 PM

If you are looking to celebrate Summer with a hot set of wheels, check out two stories we recently worked on at KDKA TV in Pittsburgh….one on the car complaint index and the other featured the Center For Auto Safety’s Best Bets.

Eagle eyed blog readers may notice that one vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta, is mentioned both on the 2007 Car Complaint Index (in the number 3 position) and among the compact cars in this year’s Best Bets. How can that be?

“Best Bets” are based on expected performance in ten categories (crash tests, safety features, fuel economy, rollover, overall, maintenance and repair costs, warranties, insurance costs, and complaints), with the greatest emphasis placed on crash test performance and complaints.

The Car Complaint Index compares the number of complaints submitted to the National Traffic Safety Administration to the number of sales. The Jetta has been one of VW’s top selling cars for many years, and with higher sales sometimes comes a higher number of complaints from drivers. As we discussed in a previous blog entry, these comments can be subjective. However, it is important to note that we saw consumers complaining about the same components, namely electrical, so we feel their observations may carry some merit and perhaps this is an issue the manufacturer may want to look into.

On the other side of the coin, the CCI does not take any of the other factors into consideration, most notably VW’s 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, safety features, and fuel economy, all of which are ideal for a consumer looking for a compact vehicle.

Hope this clears up the confusion! Safe driving!

Each year, prospective car buyers call us with one constant inquiry: “Which cars receive the most complaints?” Thank goodness for Consumer Advocate Jack Gillis, author of the Ultimate Car Book. Each year, Mr. Gillis puts together a projected car complaint index, comparing the number of complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the number of cars sold. This year’s index is a little surprising….

Tops on the list this year is the Volkswagen Passat, followed by
Pontiac Solstice
Volkswagen Jetta
Mercedes Benz M Class
Nissan Quest
Dodge Charger
Mazda 5
Hyundai Tiburon
Mazda MX5 Miata
and the Subaru B9 Tribeca

You can view the complete list by clicking here .

And if you are looking for a great read on auto-related issues, you can purchase Jack’s book by clicking here.

Now, just because your car may be on this list does NOT mean it is a lemon. These are the cars that are receiving the highest number of complaints per sales, however it is important to note that these complaints are subjective and may not always hold merit. Case in point: a constant on the list is the Toyota Prius, the granddaddy of all hybrids. Why is the Prius always on the list? Because consumers are uncomfortable with the sudden surge once the car comes out of a stop. What they fail to realize however is that this is a characteristic of a hybrid vehicle, and not a defect. The bottom line is this list should serve as one research tool when buying a car, and not the end-all, be-all.

That being said, there are still many legitimate complaints we are seeing among these cars (visit the NHTSA consumer complaint database by clicking here.) Consumers are complaining the most about airbag lights coming on (and in the case of the VW Jetta, airbags unintentionally deploying), check engine lights coming on for no reason, and engine hesitation and stalling. These are also among the top automobile defects we see coming through our office every day. it is amazing that with such amazing, innovative technology coming out of the automotive industry, we are still seeing the same defects again and again.

If you are experiencing these problems, it is important that you visit your service manager, and keep all repair invoices. Make sure the invoices outline the problems you complain about and what the service manager has done to fix the problem. Also, if the problem recoccurs, you should keep a log, and if necessary contact a lemon law firm, be it us or someone else. Make sure you are not being charged any cost, retainer or contingency. And, as we have said before–DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN! You have access to legal help. If you need it, take advantage of it.

Do manufacturers pay attention to this list? You bet your axle they do. The first year we issued this list in 2001, the Mazda MPV was tops on the index. Immediately after we publishied the index, we received a letter from Mazda outlining the ways they had addressed the problems consumers complained about. As a result, Mr. Gillis took them off the list. Furthermore, while Ford was a constant presence for years on the list, this year’s index does not contain one Ford vehicle. We are happy to see they are listening to their consumers.

Thanks again to Mr. Gillis, Ms. Curran, and their staff for allowing us to share this information with consumers.

Fall is an ideal time to consider buying a new car. Between the 2006 leftovers and the shiny new 2007 models, the selection is at its finest. But before you take that leap, remember five easy steps to prevent being taken for a ride:

1) KNOW YOUR NEEDS–Sure a fire-engine red convertible may be the ideal cure for a mid-life crisis, but not for the doting dad of three. Before you head out to the dealership for a test drive, figure out exactly what you need from your new car and create a list of the features that are most important to you. Are you frequently on the road for business? Perhaps, you need more trunk space. Will you go crazy without a sunroof? How much leg room do you need? Are you looking for a coupe? a sedan? a stationwagon? a minivan? Do you take long road trips? You may want to check out the cars which receive the best mileage per gallon. If you live in an area known for its white winters, check out the vehicles with four-wheel drive. Once you can narrow your sights on the vehicles which best fit your lifestyle, you can zoom ahead to the next important step…..

2) RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! It’s so important we have to say it three times. An educated consumer is an effective consumer. The internet offers some wonderful websites such as Edmunds and Vehix, where you can compare vehicles side by side. Our award-winning lemon law website (self promotion alert!) offers some very useful data from the Center for Auto Safety: The 2006 Car Complaint Index, which lists the cars that receive the most complaints per sales, and this year’s Best Buys, which take into account everything from mileage to warranty to customer satisfaction. Plus, make sure you find out the MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price)–in most situations, you should always pay below the MSRP. Soak up as much information as you can before setting your sites on that shiny new car. The knowledge you possess may be worth its weight in gold.

3) TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT! As you enter the sun-soaked lot of shiny new vehicles, you see it–your dream car…there in the distance…you must have it…you talk with the dealer, you look over the car, you agree on the price…everything is moving along so smoothly…you are about the sign the paperwork and drive your dream car off into the sunset…STOP!!! Before you sign on any dotted line, it is important to try out the car. Put the pedal to the metal and take that baby out on a decent test drive. Try to sample the car both in city and highway settings and also make sure you examine every feature. Turn the AC to full-blast and open the sunroof–even if you are in the middle of March. Turn on the radio, press the horn, lock the doors, move the seats back–make sure everything is working perfectly and do not purchase the car if you find something wrong. This is your one chance to demand perfection. Do not settle for any IOUs.

4) UNDERSTAND YOUR WARRANTY. Every new car comes with a manufacturers warranty. Before you purchase your car, make sure you understand the terms of your warranty–how long does it last? what is covered? Most manufacturers also offer an extended warranty on the powertrain components. Some even offer free maintenance, including oil changes and service. Know what is offered and take advantage of it. If your car is giving you problems and you are under a warranty, you will void that warranty if you go to the neighborhood mechanic or if you don’t change your oil. Plus, keep all of your records, because you will never know when you need to…..

5) FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS! Here’s the bottom line–When you purchase a new car, it comes with a manufacturers warranty which is supposed to insure that problems are fixed efficiently and effectively. But what happens when they are not? That’s why every state has a Lemon Law and in most states, these laws have fee-shifting provisions, providing consumers with completely free legal representation. If you are having a problem, do yourself a favor and look into hiring a consumer attorney. Just make sure that they do not charge a retainer or take a percentage of your winnings. Why would you represent yourself when you can someone experienced working with you to help you achieve your desired result? Lemon Law America provides a wonderful on-line resource to learn about your State’s Lemon Law and to connect with a consumer attorney in your state. If you do find yourself in a jam, this website will help you get back on the road to recovery. LemonLaw.Com also offers a list of lemon law attorneys throughout the Nation.

Well, there you have it….five easy steps to help you when you are looking for a new ride. Here’s wishing you safe driving in your new car!