Lemon Law Blog

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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An important defect alert to report–we are receiving calls from Chrysler Town & Country drivers who are left stranded with a problem that mechanics cannot seem to diagnose.  Most of these calls are coming from folks who own 2010 models.  The driver will experience  a slight click and then, the entire van will shut down with no warning.  A quick search on the internet reveals that this is a serious concern among drivers.

Sadly, this is an intermittent problem which means service advisers may not be able to duplicate the situation.  Offer to go on a test drive with your service adviser so they can get an understanding of what is happening.  Even if they cannot duplicate the problem, make sure that you receive a repair invoice that outlines the mileage and the complaint.  Also inquire about an auto pilot, which would record the codes if and when the car stalls in the future.  These codes enable the service department to figure out a proper fix.  Lastly, when you are in this situation, use your phone to take a quick snapshot of the dash immediately after you restart the vehicle.  Save these pictures as they can be helpful.

Once you are in three times for this problem, please contact us at 1-800 LEMON  LAW (1-800-536-6652) or send us an e-mail.  We will be glad to discuss the situation with you and figure out if and how we can help. This is a serious problem that should not be taken lightly. 

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We get all sorts of calls at 1-800 LEMON LAW and after handling over 65,000 cases, we certainly know the right way and the wrong way to handle a lemon car.  Of course, there are those consumers who call, ask us a million questions, and then go against our advice and move ahead with what they think is the correct way to handle the situation.  Many times, they call us weeks later asking us to get involved.  Sometimes, we can and sometimes, they kill their rights and there is nothing we can do.  Here are the three top blunders we see among consumers:

1)  THREATENING THE DEALERSHIP  –  As we have reported many times before, in State Lemon Law and Federal Warranty Claims, the defendant is the MANUFACTURER, not the dealer.  The dealer is responsible for fixing the car under the warranty.  They get paid by the manufacturer every time they fix your car.  When it comes to getting the car repaired, you are at the dealer’s mercy.  Thus screaming “I am going to sue you” at the top of your lungs is not really accomplishing anything.  Do you want them to be flexible around your schedule?  Take the time to hear and address your concerns?  Offer you a loaner car?  Then, you need to be respectful of their job.  You will be surprised as to how many dealers whisper our number to their customers.  Why?  Because they want their customers happy and they know we can help free of charge.  The only time this does not happen is when….

2) YOU INADVERTENTLY TRADE THE CAR IN.  Dealers are out to make money and sometimes, dealers see lemon cars as potential money makers for them.  So, they will say to the customer “You have a lemon.  Let’s take that car off your hands.”  And, they present a brand new car to the customer. The customer thinks “This is great.  I got rid of my lemon and I am getting a brand new car.  I don’t need a lawyer.”  The customer signs all the new paperwork and then they are shocked when they are socked for a huge bill later on.  They didn’t use the Lemon Law; they traded the car in and by not reaching out to a lawyer for free legal help, they now are sometimes tens of thousands of dollars in the hole.  HUGE MISTAKE and it happens a lot. Dealers cannot solve lemon law claims.  If they say otherwise, get it in writing first and have it reviewed by us or another consumer law firm.

and finally…..

3) NOT DOING ANYTHING BECAUSE YOUR CAR IS FINALLY FIXED.  Don’t get us wrong.  We are thrilled that after 5 repair attempts, that front end noise is gone or that check engine light is off.  But, you paid for a manufacturers warranty that guaranteed that problems were fixed efficiently and effectively and they were not.  Under the law, you could be entitled to monetary compensation and continued ownership of the car.  It’s lovely that you don’t want to give the manufacturer a tough time now that the problem is fixed. But once your warranty expires, do you think they will treat you with the same kindness?  Use your rights.  This is your hard-earned money and you are entitled to compensation if you did not get what you paid for.

Certainly, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 1800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form.

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The New York Times is reporting that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Adminsitration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation regarding the electric power steering system in 905,000 Chevrolet Cobalts, model years 2005-2009.

NHTSA says more than 1,132 complaints have been filed by Cobalt drivers, with eleven accidents and one injury reported.  Most of these incidents have occurred within the past six months.  Drivers complained that once the power steering system failed, it became difficult to control their car and keep it in the traffic lane. 

General Motors has said they will answer any questions posed during the investigation, and the case will either result in an analysis of the power steering engineering or the matter will be closed.

Kimmel & Silverman frequently receives calls from distressed drivers who have complained about power steering in their Cobalts, as well as other GM vehicles including the Imapla and Malibu.  That being said, we have found that General Motors is a very responsible company and takes consumers’ issues very seriously.  Most power steering issues we have brought to the company’s attention have been resolved efficiently to the consumer’s satisfaction.  Most claims we open start with power steering noises, where steering shafts have been lubed or steering columns have been replaced.

If you find yourself experiencing problems with your power steering, and have been back to an authorized GM dealership three or more times to report the problem, or the vehicle has been in the shop for an extended period of time while the service team investigates the matter, you may be entitled to remedy under State Lemon Law or Federal Warranty Law.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for more information.

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Back in late November, we reported that Toyota was recalling 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals after NHTSA reported more than 2,000 instances of sudden acceleration.

This past Thursday, the manufacturer announced it is recalling an additional 600,000 vehicles.  The new recall affects 2009- 2010 Toyota RAV4 models, 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla models, 2009-2010 Toyota Matrix models,2010 Toyota Highlander models,  and 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia models.  In addition, three models from the previous gas pedal recall, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon models, 2007-2010 Toyota Camry models, and 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra models,  are included in both recalls.

Toyota says the recall is due to potential problems with the gas pedal mechanism that can cause the accelerator to become stuck regardless of whether the vehicle contains a floor mat. The manufacturer said that in certain situations, the mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return, and in some cases stuck.

Toyota said drivers in the recalled cars whose gas pedals become stuck should firmly apply their brakes, drive the car to a safe location, shut off the engine, and contact the nearest Toyota dealer.  The manufacturer advises drivers NOT to pump their brakes.

The manufacturer will be contacting consumers shortly regarding the recall, however if you have been back to a Toyota dealer in the past complaining of sudden acceleration, you may be entitled to a repurchase, replacement or partial refund under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  So far, we have taken a number of  Toyota sudden acceleration cases under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, New Jersey Lemon Law, Ohio Lemon Law, Massachusetts Lemon Law, Maryland Lemon Law and New York Lemon Law.   We are also working on a television report outlining the reason for the recall.  If you find that you are dealing with this defect, please contact us for further information about your rights.

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It’s time again for us to provide a roundup of recent refunds, repurchases and replacements.  Under the State Lemon Laws and the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, all of our clients receive completely cost-free legal help, with the manufacturers covering the legal fees ON TOP OF what our client receives.  We are very proud of our efforts and encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or via e-mail  if you think your vehicle may qualify for remedy.   Here we go….

2008 Dodge Dakota, Replacement Vehicle  — Newark, DE

2008 Audi A5, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Jenkintown, PA

2009 Chevrolet Impreza, Replacement Vehicle — Telford, PA

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, $5,000 plus client keeps their car — Cranbury, NJ

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, Complete Refund — Greenwich, CT

2008 Buell Blast Motorcycle, Replacement Bike — Aberdeen, MD

2009 Infiniti G37, Complete Refund — Randolph, NJ

2007 Cadillac Escalade (70,000 miles), $5,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Bloomfield, NJ

2008 BMW 5-series, Replacement Vehicle — Perrysburg, OH

2008 Chrysler Sebring, Complete Refund –Somerville, MA

2008 Ford Ranger, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Spring Grove, PA

2008 BMW 335i, $18,500 cash plus client keeps car and receives 7 yr/100k extended warranty- West New York, NJ

2008 Ford F250, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their truck — Rome, NY

2009 Honda Accord, Replacement Vehicle — York, PA

2009 Chevrolet Silverado, Replacement Vehicle — New Galihee, PA

2007 Audi Q7, Replacement Vehicle — Middletown, DE

2007 Pontiac G6, Complete Refund — Oceanside, NY

2008 Jeep Patriot, Complete Refund — Uniontown, PA

2005 Land Rover Range Rover, $6,500 cash plus client keeps car — Richboro, PA

2009 Dodge Challenger, Complete Refund — Brick, NJ

2008 Jeep Liberty, Complete Refund — Clarksville, PA

2008 Smart Car Cabriolet, Replacement Vehicle — Findlay, OH

2007 Hyundai Entourage, Complete Refund — Holbrook, NY

2006 Suzuki Forenza, Complete Refund — Elkins Park, PA

2009 Volvo S80, $7,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Frederick, MD

2008 GMC Arcadia, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Boston, MA

2007 Toyota Camry, Complete Refund — Pikesville, MD

2008 BMW 335i, Replacement Vehicle — Old Bridge, NJ

2007 Mercedes Benz ML320, Complete Refund — River Vale, NJ

2009 Mazda 6, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Elizabeth, NJ

2009 Audi A5, Replacement Vehicle — Hamilton, NJ

2008 Jeep Wrangler, Complete Refund  — Pisacataway, NJ

2009 Audi S5,  Replacement Vehicle –Boston, MA

2008 Mazda CX7, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Monroeville, PA

2008 Dodge Ram, Complete Refund –Rural Valley, PA

2007 Moto Guzzi Motorcycle, Complete Refund — Flemington, NJ

2007 Chevrolet Silverado, $6,850 cash plus client keeps their car –Brooklyn, NY

2007 Jeep Compass, Complete Refund — Lancaster, PA

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their SUV — Oliver, PA

2007 Hyundai Veracruz, Replacement Vehicle — Glassboro, NJ

Driving a lemon?  Join the more than 60,000 distressed drivers who have made the call to 1-800 LEMON LAW!

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