We have previously reported about the numerous problems Ford and Lincoln drivers are encountering with their Microsoft Sync/My Touch systems. Dropped calls, navigation failure and computer issues are just the tip of the iceberg; and now many consumers are being told another software fix will not be available until June 2012. We have seen this problem in numerous Ford models, including the Edge, Focus, Explorer and Escape as well as the Lincoln models, most notably the MKX; and we have already represented numerous clients throughoutPennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and much of the rest of the Northeast who are dealing with this situation.

If you are back to a Ford or Lincoln authorized dealership three or more times for problems with your Sync, it is imperative that you look into your Lemon Law and Breach of Warranty rights. You could be entitled to free legal representation and either a new vehicle, a complete repurchase or significant monetary compensation based upon your issue. Beware of dealers offering to make a couple payments to comfort the blow; this could serve as a settlement and ruin your Lemon Law claim. You are entitled to certain remedies and the responsibility lies on the manufacturer, not the dealer. If the dealer is offering something that you feel is less than you deserve, chances are it is less than you deserve.

For more information regarding your sync situation and to see if you qualify for free Lemon Law or Breach of Warranty representation, please fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form by clicking here. We will review your information and see if recourse is available.

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.

When Ford and Microsoft teamed up to put together the ultimate entertainment and communication system, it received a tremendous amount of positive press.  Sync has a lofty goal, serving as an all-in-one unit that allows you to make hands-free calls, receive audible text messages, connect to google maps, and control your music settings.  It even communicates with the driver when something is going wrong within the vehicle and connects directly to 911 if the airbags deploy.  Sounds too good to be true, right?  While some drivers are singing Sync’s praises, there are others who think their Sync stinks.  There is even a message board where consumers gripe daily about the issues with their Sync unit, seeking answers to their problems.

Dropped calls, poor reception, incorrect music data, electrical problems, the navigation system is inoperable…..frustrated Ford drivers have called the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline with all sort of Sync dilemmas.  Often the problem with new technologically advanced innovations is that they provide more room for error, and  service advisers do not have know how to fix the issue.  The good news however is that State and Federal laws are on the drivers’ side.

If your Sync has been out of sync, give us a  call at 1-800 LEMON LAW.  We will be glad to discuss the situation with you and see if/how we can help.

Living up to its name, the return of the Ford Fiesta created a great deal of celebration in the automotive industry.  A popular car last seen in North America thirty years ago, the Fiesta provides drivers with an extensive list of options,  high fuel economy, and a price tag that does not break the bank.  And it appears there are quite a few consumers who love their car, as evident by the the four and a half star review on Edmunds.com.

Sadly though, not everyone is enjoying the Fiesta.  The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has received over 20 consumer complaints so far, with more than 50% of the distressed drivers citing transmission troubles. Those citing the transmission say they have been experiencing shifting, jerking, and lunging forward, as well as loss of power and metallic noises when downshifting.

If your Fiesta has not left you in a celebratory mood, it’s important to look into your State and Federal rights.  Often with newly introduced models, there are certain technical glitches that need to be ironed out, but these problems should not be at the drivers’ expense.  If you think your Ford Fiesta may be a lemon, fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form or give us a call at 1-800 LEMON LAW and we will glad to discuss your situation and if/how we can help.

Having a problem shifting in your Ford F-150 truck?  You are not alone–we have opened quite a few cases with Ford F 150 transmission problems.  There is also a technical service bulletin on the issue and it appears that Ford may not have a permanent fix. If you have been in three or more times for the problem, or if the truck has been in the shop an extended period of time, please reach out to us.  We’ll be glad to discuss your situation and see how we can help.

We are only on the eighth day of December, but so far 82 distressed drivers have received much needed remedy this month thanks to 1-800 LEMON LAW , including:

2010 Nissan Altima — BRAND NEW VEHICLE–Cincinatti, OH

2008 Volkkswagen EOS — COMPLETE REPURCHASE–Cheltenham, PA

2007 Cadillac Escalade purchased used with 26,000 miles — $5000 cash plus they keep their car — Pittsburgh, PA

2008 Infiniti QX56 — BRAND NEW VEHICLE — Lansdowne, PA

2009 Chrysler Town & Country — COMPLETE REPURCHASE — Mount Wolf, PA

2010 Buick Lucerne — COMPLETE REPURCHASE — Morristown, NJ

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche with 36,300 miles — $4,750 cash plus they keep their car — Hammonton, NJ

2011 Hyundai Sonata — BRAND NEW VEHICLE — Churchton, MD

2010 Lexus RX350 — COMPLETE REPURCHASE — Hanscom AFB, MA

2011 Jaguar XF with allignment issues — $5,500 cash plus they keep their car — Harrisburg, PA

2010 Jeep Patriot — COMPLETE REPURCHASE — Lewisburg, PA

2008 Saturn Outlook with 24,000 miles — $5,500 cash plus they keep their car — Collierville, TN

2004 Audi A4 with 61,000 mikes –$4,000 cash plus they keep their car — Dillsburg, PA

2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport — $4,875 cash plus they keep their car — Glenolden, PA

2008 Chevrolet Silverado with 25,000 miles (tried to fight GM on their own & got nowhere)– $4,000 cash plus they keep the car–Cleveland, OH

2007 Subaru Impreza with 87,000 miles — $3,500 cash plus they keep their car — Greensburg, PA

2008 Ford F-150 with 45,000 miles — $4,000 cash plus they keep their truck — Turnersville, NJ

2009 Buick Lacrosse — $5,200 cash plus they keep their car — Felton, DE

2008 Saturn Vue purchased used — $3,750 plus they keep their car — Riverside, NJ

2008 Buick Enclave with 44,000 miles — $6,000 plus they keep their ca r– Wintersville, OH

2010 Mazda 6 — $6,500 cash plus they keep their car — Harrisburg, PA

2008 Saturn Vue with 51,000 miles — $4,500 cash plus they keep their car — Belleville, MI

2009 GMC Sierra (problems fell right outside of Lemon Law, wasn’t sure they had a case) $6,000 cash plus they keep their vehicle — Pittsburgh, PA

2007 Mazda CX7 with 82,000 miles (engine problems started at 50,000 miles) — $7,500 cash plus they keep their car– Andrews AFB, MD

2008 Buick Enclave purchased used _- $5,750 cash plus tehy keep their car — Egg Harbor City, NJ

2008 Lambourghini Murcielago — COMPLETE REPURCHASE — Manalapin, NJ

If your car is in the shop more than it’s on the road, join the more than 55,000 consumers who have let Kimmel & Silverman help them on the road to recovery.  There is no cost and no risk.  If you would like to see if you are entitled to remedy under State or Federal Laws, call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or e-mail us.  You have nothing to lose–except your lemon!

We have received quite a few calls on the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline from folks complaining of an intermittent shifting problem with their 2009-2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.  This is an intermittent problem involving difficulties getting out of park and drivers may also find that their interior/exterior lighting, power windows and door locks could be affected as well.  According to the information we have received, this problem affects 2009-2010 models produced prior to May 28,2010.  The following models may be affected:  Ford Edge, Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Ford Focus, Ford Escape, Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang, Ford F-Super Duty Truck, Ford F-150, and Ford E-series. Lincoln MKX, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKZ, and Lincoln Navigator. Mercury Sable, Mercury Milan,and Mercury Mariner.

If you are experiencing the shifting problem, it is very important that you set up a warranty repair with your authorized Ford Lincoln mercury dealership as soon as possible.  The service department does have several potential fixes, but they are not sure they have an end-all, be-all solution.  If you have this problem after continuous trips to the dealer, please call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1800-536-6652) or e-mail us and we will be glad to review your situation to see how we can help.

Following in the footsteps of Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer, Ford is cutting ties with the 72-year old Mercury brand. According to an Associated Press article, the move is designed to keep Ford running lean and mean, while beefing up the Lincoln luxury brand.

Mercury vehicles will be available throughout the Summer at discounted prices at over 1,700 dealerships.  In the meantime, if you do own a Mercury vehicle, it is important that you contact the dealer you purchased from to make sure your warranty will still be honored at that location.  Chances are Mercury drivers will also be able to obtain extended warranties through Ford Motors as well if they desire.

Another important thing for Mercury drivers to remember is that even though the brand is fading, their rights under Federal and State Laws are not.  if you do find that your Mercury vehicle is back in the shop for repeated repairs, drop us a line or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW and we can still help you file a claim and seek recourse.  Ford Motor Company is still taking responsibility for the quality of the vehicles.

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!

As you can expect, of the hundreds of calls and e-mails we receive each week at 1-800 LEMON LAW headquarters, we frequently see the same thing happening to consumers over and over throughout a variety of States.  Here are some defects we are seeing regularly among our clients.  (Keep in mind we are not saying everyone who purchases these cars will have these problems; we are just seeing a trend among our cases.)

Jeep Patriots continue to have massive water leak problems, as do GMC Acadias, Buick Enclaves and Saturn Outlooks.

Ford F-Trucks have diesel problems, resulting in check engine lights, black smoke and stalling among other issues.

BMW models ending in 35 seems to be suffering from fuel pump failure.

Have a Volkswagen EOS?  Having a problem getting the top up and down?  You are not alone. More and more VW claims are coming in with this issue.

Squeak, squeak, squeak go the brakes on Honda Accords.

We are seeing a lot of alignment issues with Toyota Camry and Lexus models.

In most Chryslers, especially the Town and Country and 300 models, we are seeing transmission shuttering.

Finally, the Dodge Grand Caravan sliding doors are causing massive headaches for many of our clients.

Kimmel & Silverman prides itself on having three full-time ASE certified mechanics who work on our clients’ behalf to review and research automotive defects.  If you are having a continuing problem with your car, chances are we have heard about it.  Feel free to contact us through our website or by calling 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

For many years, Lemon Law. Com has been known as your one-stop shop for the most comprehensive lemon law information with our up to the minute consumer news, the Center for Auto Safety’s annual Car Complaint Index, consumer alerts on such issues as spot delivery and water leaks, tips for dealing with dealerships, a rundown of the Lemon Laws in all 50 states with links to Lemon Law Lawyers throughout the Country, and our long-running Lemon Law blog which has been viewed by over 25,000 visitors since our launch in September 2006.

We now invite you to join us as we continue our trek down the information superhighway.  Our 1-800 Lemon Law You Tube channel features all sorts of automotive news interviews featuring Kimmel & Silverman attorneys.  Our 1-800 Lemon Law page on Twitter provides updates on the latest blog entries and press releases. Finally, you can become a fan on our Facebook page  and/or the Ford paint defect Facebook page which spun off of the comments from our blog entry.

Now more than ever, the internet provides us with tremendous ways to communicate and educate consumers throughout the Northeast.  Take advanatge of all we offer and if there is anything you would like us to consider adding to the mix, drop us a line.  We always love hearing from you!

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.

Since 1991, Kimmel & Silverman has prided itself in protecting consumer rights, starting with providing free lemon law help to consumers in the Philadelphia, PA region and building throughout Pittsburgh, and then New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Hampshire and Connecticut.  Since our inception, we have handled over 50,000 lemon law and breach of warranty claims, more than any other lemon law firm in the Nation.  It is an accomplishment we are extremely proud of.

So, without any further adieu, here are some of the highlights from our first quarter. These are consumers who realized they had rights and were entitled to monies for their problems they have encountered.  They put their faith in our firm and we are very grateful.

2007 GMC Arcadia — opened 1/9/09, resolved 2/11/09–FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

2007 Suzuki XL7 — opened 1/28/09, resolved 2/16/09 — FULL REPURCHASE, plus attorney fees.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu — opened 2/9/09, resolved 3/24/09 — FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

2008 GMC Arcadia — opened 1/21/09, resolved 2/13/09 — FULL REPURCHASE, plus attorney fees.

2007 Mazda CX7 — breach of warranty, first problem reported at 29,000 miles–$5,500 plus attorney fees, and  the client keeps their car.  opened 1/2/09, resolved 2/12/09.

2008 Mazda CX9 –breach of warranty, first problem reported over 30,000 miles–$6,000 plus attorney fees, and the client keeps the car.  opened 1/5/09, resolved 2/12/09.

Used 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix with 50,000 miles –breach of warranty –$4,000 plus attorney fees, and the client gets to keep the car.  opened 1/2/09, resolved 2/5/09.

2004 Volvo S40 — breach of warranty, first problem occurred at 40,000 miles — $5000 plus attorney fees, and the client gets to keep the car.  Opened 1/6/09, resolved 2/9/09.

2008 Dodge Caliber — opened 2/2/09, resolved 3/25/09 — FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

2009 Lexus RX350 — opened 2/16/09, resolved 3/9/09 — FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

2006 Hyundai Sonata –opened 12/19/08, resolved 2/9/09 — 2009 REPLACEMENT VEHICLE plus attorney fees.

Used 2006 Mazda Speed 6 –purchased with over 60,000 miles — $6,000 plus attorney fees plus client gets to keep the car. opened 1/5/09, resolved 2/5/09.

Leased 2008 Ford F250 — $4,000 plus attorney fees — opened 1/6/09, resolved 1/26/09.

2007 GMC Sierra — opened 2/5/09, resolved 3/6/09 — FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

Leased 2007 Saturn Outlook — $6,000 plus attorney fees — opened 12/26/08, resolved 2/3/09

Used 2004 BMW M3–purchased with 67,000 miles — $4,500 plus attorney fees and the client keeps the car. opened 12/19/08, resolved 2/11/09.

Used 2006 Infiniti FX35 — opened 1/29/09, resolved 2/26/09 — FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees

2008 Saturn Vue –opened 12/16/08, resolved 2/9/09– FULL REPURCHASE INCLUDING EXTENDED WARRANTY plus attorney fees.

Leased 2008 Jeep Liberty — $6,750 plus attorney fees — opened 12/11/08, resolved 2/17/09.

2007 Dodge Caravan — opened 12/9/08, resolved 2/4/09 –FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

2006 Toyota Rav 4– opened 1/2/09, resolved 3/3/09– FULL REPURCHASE plus attorney fees.

Think you have a lemon?  Feel free to e-mail us and see if you qualify for free lemon law or breach of warranty help.

Mr. Rapkin: I would just like to say thank you for the work you have done to get my vehicle problems settled.  Chrysler initially offered me $1000.00 plus vehicle repairs, but you pushed on and got the settlement I wanted: Chrysler is repurchasing their mistake!!!  Thank you so much.  This situation was getting to be very frustrating.  I’m very pleased with what you have accomplished for my family and myself.  Thanks again.  Warm regards, Bobbie M.

Dear Fred:   I have received my settlement check and would like to thank you and your firm for time and effort put into my case. I will recommend your firm to friends who have similar problems with their autos, Thanks again.  Ted S.

To whom it may concern: I just wanted to thank all involved at the partnership of Kimmel and Silverman for a very competent and professional experience resolving the problems with my 2008 Ford F450. Robert Rapkin, Tiffany DiDomenico and the others involved in my case were very helpful and knowledgeable and facilitated resolution in a very admirable manner. I have already referred your firm to a neighbor with a similar vehicle and will continue to do so in the future. Once again, thanks for a very high quality experience.  Phil W.

To Michael Sacks, I have had problems with my 2007 Chevy Tahoe, and I did not know where to turn. A friend of mine told me to contact Kimmel and Silverman. I was assigned Bob Silverman. I am writing to tell you what an absolute joy it was to deal with Bob. He handled my situation in a very professional manner with my interests the only priority. I was very aggravated to say the least that General Motors Corporate would not contact me. He gave me excellent advice and I received a substantial compensation for General Motors negligence. I suppose that is why it is his company. I will gladly refer anyone in a similar situation. Hats off to Kimmel and Silverman. Thank you very much. Sincerly, Lawrence M.

Tracey, I just wanted to express my thanks to you, Patricia Murray and Mr. Silverman this year. My claim was 06 cobalt, I filed this year.  Anyways a quick update, I took my $ and literally ran to the nearest Toyota dealer,  Then I was ready to trade that bad cobalt and the key was stuck!! It was never ending. Because of your law firm, I now have a 08 beautiful Scion .   I might not be alive if it wasn’t for you law firm representing me. I took a big loss obviously since I only had the car 2 years but you guys helped me so much. I can’t believe I am outraged now that GM is broke, after I almost lost my life with that car, and then negative equity with the trade in. Now maybe we are bailing them out too? It’s a hard reality but the great news is how you guys treated me.  A painful experience turned into a painless one by your law firm.  Patricia                                                                                 

We are receiving many calls on the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline from folks who are suffering significant transmission problems, where the vehicle is having troubles going from one gear to another.  Most notably, we have taken several Ford Explorer cases this week. In two of these cases, they were in for transmission repair significant times under warranty and now, they are out of warranty and have to pay for a new transmission.

Folks, if your vehicle is younger than six years old, and you have been in three or more times under your original or extended warranty for transmission repair, we may be able to help.  Under State and/or Federal Law, you could very well be entitled to monetary damages to reflect the diminished value of the vehicle as a result of the problems you have encountered EVEN IF YOU ARE NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.

Furthermore, if the vehicle is still relatively new and you are still under manufacturers warranty, you may even be entitled to a new vehicle or a full refund if you qualify under your State Lemon Law. 

The bottom line is that transmission troubles need to be taken seriously.  Even if the car is now fixed.  You want to always protect yourself “down the road.”  And yes, the pun was intended.

As the winter weather kicks in, we are hearing from quite a few distressed drivers who are experiencing problems with their 4-wheel drive.  Many of these callers drive the same model truck and have been told that the manufacturer does not have a fix for the problem at this time.  Drivers are told to not use the 4wd option, and they are rightfully upset. If this is happening to you, get in touch with us immediately.

We are currently working with a Pittsburgh TV station to find Western Pennsylvania consumers who have experienced a fire either in their Volkswagen Passat or their Ford truck?  If you have, please contact 1-800 LEMON LAW Communications Director Michael Sacks at msacks@lemonlaw.com or 1-800-536-6652 ext. 131.

When Bob Silverman & Craig Kimmel formed Kimmel & Silverman eighteen years ago, they had one goal in mind–to equal the playing field between the consumer and the billion-dollar automotive manufacturer, using State & Federal Laws that many consumers were not aware of.  Best of all, the legal help under these laws is completely FREE to the consumer. 

For the life of us, we cannot understand why consumers still insist on trying to do this by themselves, when you can have access to an experienced attorney who has worked on thousands of lemon law and breach of warranty claims (not only that, but we have three ASE-certified mechanics on staff to inspect our clients’ vehicles and research their issues.)  The other day, a gentleman called with a real problem–he was two years into a four-year lease and he was experiencing many problems with his power-train.  Being that he thought he had a “slam dunk” case, he decided to represent himself through the NJ Lemon Law unit.  He couldn’t get a mechanic to testify on his behalf. The manufacturer hired attorneys to oppose his claim.  He ended being offered a very minimal settlement which only covered a few lease payments.  He now has decided to buy himself out of his lease, which means he is going to take a huge financial hit.  This is all because he thought he could handle this on his own.  We have seen many other claims where the consumer was promised a new car, only it turned out to be a trade and the consumer found themselves stuck in a terrible situation.  If you are not a doctor, can you diagnose someone with a chest pain? If you are not a contractor, can you build a house and ensure it’s going to last the test of time?  The legal help is free, the participation is minimal.  You can keep driving your car throughout the entire process….if you don’t take advantage of what the Law provides, then you are partly to blame for whatever happens.

We know that It sounds too good to be true, but we can assure you it is for real. You can read the many consumer stories we have in our on-line newsroom, or just take a look at some of our recent victories from the last quarter. The following are some of the repurchases we have successfully obtained in the last four months.  These clients received all taxes, tags, finance charges, monthly payments and value on their trade-ins, minus a very small mileage offset normally based on the mileage when they first brought the car to the authorized manufacturers dealership for service.  And how much did they pay for legal fees?  if you answered “nothing,” you get a gold star!

• 2007 Nissan Quest — repurchase under MA Lemon Law
• 2008 Nissan XTerra — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Nissan Quest — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2005 Nissan Murano — repurchase under PA Lemon Law (client had 26,800 miles when he called us.)
• 2005 Nissan Altima — repurchase under PA Lemon Law (client had 30,126 miles when he called us.)
• 2007 Chevrolet Silverado — Two repurchases in last four months under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Chevrolet Colorado — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Chevrolet HHR — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law (settled in 28 days)
• 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer — repurchase under PA Lemon Law (settled in 19 days)
• 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2007 GMC Sierra — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2007 GMC Yukon — repurchase under PA Lemon Law (settled in 20 days)
• 2008 GMC Arcadia — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law (settled in 27 days)
• 2007 GMC Arcadia — repurchase under DE Lemon Law
• 2008 GMC Envoy — repurchase under OH Lemon Law (settled in 19 days)
• 2008 GMC Yukon — repurchase under OH Lemon Law
• 2006 Cadillac CTS — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Cadillac SRX — repurchase under MA Lemon Law
• 2006 Cadillac XLRV — repurchase under MA Lemon Law
• 2008 Cadillac CTS — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2008 Saturn Vue — repurchase under PA Lemon Law (settled in 12 days)
• 2008 Saturn ION — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Saturn ION — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Hummer H3 — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2006 Suzuki Forenza — repurchase under VT Lemon Law
• 2008 Audi A4 — repurchase under NH Lemon Law
• 2006 Hyundai Elantra — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Dodge Ram — Two repurchases under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Dodge Ram — Two repurchases under VT Lemon Law
• 2008 Dodge Ram – repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Dodge Caliber — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Dodge Caliber –repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible — repurchase under OH Lemon Law
• 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Chrysler Town & Country — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Jeep Patriot — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2006 Jeep Wrangler — repurchase under OH Lemon Law
• 2007 Jeep Commander — repurchase under OH Lemon Law
• 2007 Jeep Wrangler — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2006 Toyota Scion — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2007 Toyota Solara –repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Toyota Corolla — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Lexus LS460 — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2007 Lexus ES350 –repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2006 Lexus LX470 — repurchase under NJ Lemon Law
• 2007 Lexus GS300 — repurchase under PA Lemon Law
• 2008 Lexus GS400 — repurchase under OH Lemon Law
• 2005 Ford Mustang — repurchase under PA Lemon Law

Now, remember this is a legal process, so we can’t guarantee that you will receive a repurchase if you open a claim with us, but it could be possible.

Under the Laws we work with, a repurchase is the maximum remedy a consumer can receive.  Repurchases are reserved where the consumer has suffered a significant non-conformity which has affected the use, value and safety of the vehicle, and the problem has reoccurred repeatedly.  Another possible remedy under the Lemon Law is a new car. This known as an MSRP to MSRP swap, which is essentially a trade without the depreciation you would normally suffer.  As you know, the minute you drive a car off the lot, the value of the car depreciates significantly.  If you receive a swap, we take the MSRP from the sticker price of your car and apply it to the MSRP of a brand new car.  So, essentially you are getting a brand new car with the same features, and you have the same amount of equity in the new car as you did in the old car. The depreciation you would normally deal with does not apply.

There is also a third remedy under the State Lemon Laws and most commonly under the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act–significant monetary compensation to reflect the diminished value of the vehicle for the problems you have incurred. This could apply if it is fixed after three repairs; if the problem is not threatening the overall use, value, or safety f the vehicle (i.e. radio);  it falls outside the lemon law mileage provisions; or if you purchased the car used but it still has a manufacturers warranty.  If you receive money, it is non-taxable and YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR CAR and your car is not branded in any way, shape or form.  Plus, your warranty remains completely in effect, so the manufacturer  is  still obligated to fix the car if problems persist, and you do not need to disclose that you received this money at time of trade or sale.  You may do whatever you want with the money.  You may have previously read in our blog about the Volvo SUV owner who received $7,000 after he heard Communications Director Michael Sacks on the radio. Here are some other folks who received monetary awards in the last four months(All of these folks kept their vehicles and had their attorney fees paid sepearately by the manufacturer):

• 2008 Volvo C70 — problems with convertible top, fixed after 4th attempt. Client received $10,000.
• 2008 Ford Ranger — client received $5,000.
• 2007 Ford Expedition — client received $6,000.
• 2005 Ford F350 — client received $7,000.
• 2007 Ford Expedition – client received $4,000.
• 2008 Toyota Rav 4 — client received $5,500.
• 2009 Dodge Journey purchased in another state but registered in PA — client received $6,750.
• 2006 Dodge Caravan –client received $5,250.
• 2007 Jeep Liberty — client received $5,000.
• 2006 Chrysler Town & Country with 32,000 miles — client received $3,250.
• 2006 Subaru Forrester with 61,000 miles — client received $4,000 (settled in 60 days).
• 2008 Land Rover LR 3 with 25,000 miles — client received $4,250.
• 2008 Saab 9-7 with 37,000 miles — client received $5,500.
• 2005 Saab 9-3 with 40,000 miles and the lease almost completed — client received $3,000.
• 2005 Mazda 3 with 50,536 miles — client received $4,000.
• 2006 Mazda 6 purchased used — client received $4,000.
• 2006 Mazda MPV — client received $4,500 (settled in 30 days).
• 2007 Mazda CX9 –client received $5,000 (settled in 45 days).
• 2006 Honda Civic with 32,700 miles, problems fell outside of lemon law — client received $3,500.
• 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe with problem starting at 29,000 miles and lease up – client received $4,000.
• 2005 Chevrolet Impala with problem starting at 25,000 miles — client received $3,000.
• 2004 BMW 7-series certified pre-owned with 56,600 miles — client received $2,500.
• 2004 BMW 5-series with problem starting at 52,000 miles & extended wty – client received $3,000.

And this is just a sampling of the work we have done in the last four months.  Think you have a lemon?    E-mail us you question or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) and we will be happy to go over your situation and whether we can help.

We are equal opportunity bloggers. It appears that misery loves company and being that we have already reported on General Motor’s spiral downfall, they should be happy that we are now discussing Ford’s foibles. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that despite an unexpected $100-million profit the first quarter, the manufacturer significantly suffered second quarter with a $8.7 billion loss, their largest quarterly loss ever. Much like GM’s situation, the huge loss is being blamed on soaring gas prices and the huge crash in consumer demand for trucks and larger SUVs (although we still get calls about F Trucks every single day).

Ford appears to be following in GM’s footsteps and will be concentrating their efforts on producing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, according to chief executive Alan Mulally. And there’s good reason for this; truck and SUV sales have declined 18% this year, while Ford Focus sales are up 27%.

In order to achieve their goal, they are shifting production at a variety of their plants. The Detroit Free Press reports that SUV and truck plants in Michigan, Mexico, and Kentucky will all be converted by 2011 to produce smaller cars, including cars derived from the manufacturer’s new C-car platform and a new verion of the Ford Fiesta. There is a bright side; a Twin Cities, Minnesota plant originally scheduled to close in 2009 will stay open through 2011 to produce the compact Ford Ranger pickup.

Time will determine if these plans are in fact “built Ford tough,” or if there are going to be unforseen potholes on their road to financial recovery.

DETROIT (Reuters) — Ford Motor (F) is recalling more than 650,000 of its top-selling F-150 pickups as well as a Lincoln-branded truck because of a problem with the brake hose that could cause the vehicles to lose braking power. The automaker has recalled 2005 and 2006 model year Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT trucks, according to the recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on its website Wednesday.

Ford trucks covered by the recall are equipped with 5.4-liter engines. The brake hose on those trucks can detach from an intake manifold, causing the driver to lose the “assist” function that provides additional power to the brakes, according to the safety notice.The trucks could still be stopped with remaining braking power but it would require drivers to apply “more force to the pedal,” Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said. He said Ford had received reports of 11 minor accidents but no injuries because of the brake hose defect.

The sweeping recall covers almost 606,000 vehicles in the United States and comes just as Ford is gearing up to launch all-new versions of its F-Series pickup line. U.S. sales of the Ford trucks are down 16% this year in a downturn tied to high gasoline prices and a slumping U.S. housing market. In addition to the trucks covered by the U.S. government recall, there are another 50,000 of the trucks on the road in Canada covered by a similar recall procedure, Ford said. Ford said customers in the United States and Canada affected by the recall could have brake hoses replaced at Ford dealerships starting in late June.

Lemon Lawyer Craig Thor Kimmel was featured in this Fox Undercover story on Ford F-Trucks catching fire as a result of unsuccessful cruise control recall that wasn’t performed on many vehicles. If this has happened to you, please contact Michael Sacks, Kimmel and Silverman’s Client Services Director, at 800-536-6652 ext. 131 or via e-mail at msacks@lemonlaw.com.

We are working with a Philadelphia Network affiliate on this story.  If your truck has suffered damage as a result of this problem, please contact Michael Sacks, Kimmel and Silverman’s Director of Client Services at 800-536-6652 ext. 131 or via e-mail at msacks@lemonlaw.com.

Feds Alert Ford Owners to Recalls

By KEN THOMAS – 18 hours ago WASHINGTON (AP) — The government on Thursday warned owners of about 4.6 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring their cars and trucks immediately to dealerships to disconnect cruise control switch systems that have been linked to engine fires.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the consumer advisory to owners of certain unrepaired Ford,

The recalls have vexed the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker, affecting its popular F-Series pickup trucks, prompting hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires. Three deaths have been tied to the fires and Ford has struggled to produce enough parts to fix the problem.About 9.6 million Ford vehicles have been recalled since 1999 and about 5 million have been fixed, raising concerns about the remaining vehicles on the road. NHTSA said they have received about 60 complaints of engine fires in the Ford vehicles since August 2007.Ford said they supported the action and dealers would soon offer a more permanent fix.“We absolutely want everybody to come in as soon as they can because we can eliminate the risk of fire for anyone with a vehicle in this recall,” said Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood. He said the company would have an “ample supply” of the replacement parts by June.NHTSA said many dealers will disconnect the cruise control switches as a “drive through” service so owners do not have to leave their vehicles at the dealership or schedule an appointment.Dealers have installed a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, but replacement parts have not been widely available. Owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive.NHTSA issued a lengthy list of older vehicles covered by the consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, all of which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years.A complete list was available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.The Ford recalls have run into problems. Earlier this month, the automaker recalled about 225,000 vehicles that had already been repaired because some wiring harnesses appeared to be defective.Ford also faces more than 100 lawsuits nationwide because of fires linked to the cruise control deactivation switch. Many owners have alleged the fires began after the vehicles were turned off and there have been three deaths attributed to that problem in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas.

Last week, Ford was able to consolidate 77 lawsuits filed in Texas so a single judge can handle pretrial discovery.Ford has said its internal investigations have found the fires did not cause deaths and injuries.“In the cases where there was that allegation, we found that the source of the fire was unrelated to the vehicle,” said Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.

Auto Makers Pile On Buyer Incentives

by Jonathan Welsh
Thursday, September 13, 2007provided by

The home-mortgage mess is hitting the auto business, as interest rates on car loans creep upward and many people find it hard to qualify for credit to buy a new vehicle. But for consumers with good credit, it’s deal time.

Auto dealers are eager to clear out a growing number of leftovers as 2008 models arrive. Some have more unsold current-year models than usual in stock, reflecting an industry wide sales picture that worsened through the year. Total U.S. auto sales could fall below 16 million vehicles this year, according to analysts — the lowest in a decade. To clear up the glut, some car makers — especially the Big Three U.S. companies — are using perks like rebates and low financing rates to attract interest.

Lincoln MKX, and Chrysler LLC is offering a $4,500 rebate on its 2007 minivans. Even the notoriously incentive-stingy Honda Motor Co. is offering below-market 2.9% financing on its popular Odyssey minivan. All told, the percentage of transactions involving rebates grew to 49% this summer from 42% a year ago, according to Power Information Network, a unit of researcher J.D. Power & Associates. In certain cases, buyers don’t even have to settle for the outgoing model: Some 2008 models also carry surprising incentives. Chrysler’s Jeep Commander, for example, offers a $3,000 rebate.

Assessing the effect of the subprime crisis

Difficulties in the subprime-mortgage business and the broader decline of home prices in many markets have hurt other parts of the economy, but car makers, dealers and others in the auto industry are still assessing their effect. The housing market has a big impact on consumers’ ability to afford a new vehicle, and many are buying less-expensive cars with fewer luxury features or putting off purchases altogether.

The result has contributed to the retail auto sales slowdown. The National Automobile Dealers Association had predicted earlier this year that 2007 sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. would total about 16.5 million, roughly the same as last year. Now the trade group says sales could fall as low as 16.1 million.

At the same time, 24% of auto financing and leasing transactions in July and August had interest rates lower than 5%, compared with 33% in the year-earlier period, according to J.D. Power. In August, the average rate was 7.3%. Fuel prices also remain high, and a weak dollar continues to make certain European models expensive.

The National Automobile Finance Association, a trade group that represents subprime lenders, says the mortgage crisis and changes to federal law that make it more difficult for consumers to file for bankruptcy protection have driven up the number of car-loan delinquencies. The group says nearly 12% of subprime vehicle loans reported by its members were delinquent last year, up from 6.5% a year earlier.

Autumn: Best time to go car shopping

Savvy consumers have known for years that autumn is the best time to shop for a car. The pending flood of new models in October and November drives dealers to more aggressively market vehicles from the outgoing model year in the fall.

In the past 20 years or so, however, manufacturers have increasingly sought to set their new cars apart by bringing them to market at other times of the year. The practice has blurred the lines somewhat between this year’s and next year’s models. Manufacturers favor the approach because their vehicles tend to get more attention from consumers who aren’t distracted by the regular introduction of several competing models. For dealers, it’s a way to bring people into their showrooms during what would otherwise be slow periods.

British off-road vehicle maker Land Rover, a unit of Ford, rolled out its LR2 compact luxury SUV in April as a 2008 model. The early introduction placed it ahead of similar models expected from rivals. The car maker’s finance arm, Land Rover Capital Group, offers a 3.9% finance rate—on the low side for a new model. But consumers can often find attractive rates through banks and credit unions, so a car company’s so-called captive finance businesses often use lower rates as a way to draw more customers who would otherwise arrange loans elsewhere.

Christopher Marchand, Land Rover’s vice president of retail operations, says the 3.9% finance rate on the LR2 is “middle of the road” when compared with what buyers might find at a bank. Still, consumers who have watched finance rates increase lately are likely to find the rates attractive, says Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association.

“In an increasingly more difficult credit environment, a range of 3.9% to 7.9% is looking pretty good,” Mr. Taylor says.

The well-reviewed Kia Sedona minivan, a product of Hyundai Motor Co., is offering buyers $3,000 cash back on 2007 models. General Motors corp. is dangling a huge rebate — as much as $7,500 — on its high-end Cadillac XLR, which lists for $78,335, and is offering 5.9% financing on the just-released 2008 Buick Enclave.

Chrysler’s Sebring, a midsize sedan that competes with top-selling models like Toyota Motor Corp.’s Camry and Honda’s Accord, was redesigned about a year ago and is now available with 0% financing or a $1,500 rebate. Such deals are often advertised and relatively easy to find when researching cars on the Internet. However, there are other incentives that manufacturers dole out locally for dealers to use at their discretion.

Toyota rarely offers incentives on its best-selling Camry sedan or most of its other models, but a Toyota spokesman says the company does use so-called dealer incentives “for tactical purposes,” or on a case-by-case basis to attract customers.

And they do attract customers, even to vehicles that might seem unappealing. Though sales of gas-guzzling large pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram are down 2.2% for the year, Mr. Taylor says, there was an upswing of 9.1% in August sales thanks to “vigorous incentive competition” among makers like GM, Ford and Toyota that included rebates in some cases of several thousand dollars.

Copyrighted, Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lemon Law Attorney Bob Silverman appeared on NBC10′s All That & More” last week to discuss this scandal.  if you feel that you have been a victim of this scam, please contact us to see if we can help.

By WILLIAM BENDER

From The Philadelphia Daily News

At Springfield Ford in Delaware County, “You ALWAYS get more for your dollar,” the car dealer claims on its Web site.

That’s unless, according to U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan, you happen to be black.

The Justice Department announced yesterday that Springfield Ford, and Pacifico Ford in Philadelphia, have agreed to pay a combined $450,000 to African-American customers to whom they allegedly charged higher interest rates on car loans because of their race.

“This type of practice is a serious violation of the law and an insult to the consumer who is entitled to conduct business without fear of discrimination,” Meehan said in a statement, calling the practice “intolerable.”

The civil complaints filed in Philadelphia federal court allege that the dealerships engaged in discriminatory lending practices between 1999 and 2002 by jacking up the interest rate for black customers — a violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

The differences in the interest-rate markup – a finance charge dealers add to the rate set by the lender – “cannot be explained fully by factors unrelated to race, such as differences in the consumers’ creditworthiness or by differences in the down-payment amounts provided by consumers,” according to the complaints.

“Racial discrimination in lending is wrong and will not be tolerated,” Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement.

Representatives for Springfield Ford, located on Baltimore Pike, and Pacifico Ford, on Essington Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, could not be reached for comment last night. Both companies have agreed to change their markup policy to prevent future discrimination, the department said.

The state attorney general’s office is pursuing separate agreements with the dealerships.

From Associated Press
Ford Recalling 3.6 Million Vehicles
By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer
 
Ford Recalling 3.6 Million Vehicles to Deal With Concerns About Faulty Cruise Control Switch

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling 3.6 million passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans to address concerns about a cruise control switch that has led to previous recalls based on reports of fires.

Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen vehicle models built from 1992-2007. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed control deactivation switch in the vehicles that is powered at all times.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker previously had recalled nearly 6 million vehicles beginning in January 2005 because of engine fires linked to the cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs and vans.

“Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles,” said Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis.

He said the automaker had received “a few reports of fires” in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number.

The recall involves the following vehicles: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.

Also covered are the 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes.

An additional 177,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe are covered by the recall.

Jarvis said there have been no deaths, injuries or accidents associated with the recall.

It was Ford’s sixth recall, involving a total of more than 10.4 million vehicles, conducted since 1999 because of problems with the speed control system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The nation’s largest single recall involved 7.9 million Ford vehicles in 1996 to replace an ignition switch.

Texas Instruments Inc. supplied the speed control switch in all of the vehicles covered under Friday’s announcement, Ford said. A TI spokeswoman could not immediately comment.

Owners will begin receiving recall notices on Aug. 13. Jarvis said the parts for passenger cars would not be available until early October. In the meantime, owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have their cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive. The parts are available for trucks, Jarvis said.

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system or replace the deactivation switch if its found to be leaking.

Owners with questions about the recall can contact Ford at (888) 222-2751.

Ford Motor Co.: http://www.ford.com/