Lemon Law Blog

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.

Popularity: 22% [?]

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.

Popularity: 10% [?]

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!

Popularity: 19% [?]

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).

Popularity: 15% [?]

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!

Popularity: 7% [?]

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.

Popularity: 17% [?]