Lemon Law Blog

The GMC Acadia water leak issue continues to be a problem. As far back as 2009, we were writing how GMC Acadia drivers were dealing with a water leak problem which was leaving them and their passengers “all wet,” not to mention the floor boards and the electrical systems.   Sadly, the problem is now occurring in 2010 and 2011 GMC Acadia vehicles as well.

The good news is we have successfully resolved numerous water leak claims for this vehicle.  If you are suffering with a water leak in your GMC Acadia, make sure you return to a General Motors authorized dealer at your earliest opportunity.  Try to pinpoint where the leak is coming from so you can provide as much helpful information as possible to your service adviser.  Make sure when you pick the vehicle up from service that you also receive a repair invoice which outlines the water leak problem and what was done to address the situation.    Check for mold, mildew and headliner stains as well.  If the problems continue, you need to keep bringing the Acadia back.

If you are back to the dealer three or more times, you could be entitled to free legal representation under State Lemon Laws or Federal Warranty Laws.  You could be looking at a repurchase, a new vehicle or a partial refund and continued ownership of the Acadia.  Remember, under the Lemon Law and Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, legal representation is completely free , so you have nothing to lose except your (wet) lemon.    If you have questions, feel free to drop us a line or call us at 1 800 LEMON LAW.

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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).

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Amidst tons of debt, the worst sales figures in 25 years, and tens of thousands of layoffs, a new General Motors is emerging and according to CEO Fritz Henderson, the name may be the only similarity between the old company and the new.

The new GM was “born” this morning in a New York press conference, and Detroit Free Press reports that Henderson outlined some major changes right out of the gate.  77-year old Bob Lutz, once retired, is now stepping back into the company fold as Vice Chairman in charge of global design, advertising and communications. Henderson is also laying off 34% of the executive management (approximately 450 executives), and disbanding the Automobile Strategy Board where the company had made most major decisions on new automobiles. Henderson himself will take charge of North American operations.

CBS News is reporting that up to 14,000 hourly workers will also be let go and 2,300 of the manufacturer’s 6,000 dealerships may close.

On the positive side, Henderson says the company will focus on customers, cars and, culture, lauching a “Tell fritz” website to allow the public to share their concerns with senior management, and monthly road trips to “listen to the questions, ideas and concerns of the people who matter most.”:  The company is also in the preliminary stages of a possible partnership with ebay to test selling vehicles via on-line auction.

GM is sill in the middle of selling off Hummer, Saab and Saturn.  However the new GM will be responsible for any lemon law and breach of warranty claims that arise from these vehicles in the years they were part of the GM family.

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A number of General Motors drivers are calling into the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline seeking assistance with hesitation on acceleration.  There has been a Technical Service Bulletin issued by GM for all 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalades (including the EXT and ESV models), 2006-2009 Cadillac XLR and XLR-V models , 2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverados, Suburbans, and Tahoes, 2006-2009 Corvettes, 2007-2009 GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL models, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 models equipped with a gasoline engine and automatic transmission.

In these situations, the driver may experience a sag or hesitation when accelerating during a lane change, or when a lunge when trying to make a complete hard stop.

If you are suffering with this problem, you must bring your vehicle to an authorized GM dealership so they can address the matter.  Please reference TSB PIP4112H.  Do not allow the dealer to tell you this is a normal characteristic of the vehicle; it is not. Also, make sure that you receive a warranty repair invoice which clearly outlines the problem when you pick up the vehicle.

If you find that the problem can’t be fixed efficiently and effectively after several attempts, please get in touch with us either by phone at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or via e-mail. We will discuss your situation with you and see how we can help.

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

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

Ford
Dodge
Nissan
Suzuki
Jeep
Hyundai
Cadillac
Volkswagen
GMC

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

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

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

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It’s a sad day in the history of automobiles.  Autoblog reports that General Motors will phase out Pontiac by the end of 2010, and will build its accelerated visibility plan surrounding its four remaining brands:  Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.  By the end of the year, we will also know if and how GM will move forward with the Saab, Saturn and Hummer brands.

The first Pontiacs were produced in 1926 and their popularity has escalated throughout the decades with the production of the Bonneville, GTO, Firebird, and in later years the G6 and Solstice.

So, what does this mean if you have a Pontiac?  Ideally, this situation should not have any effect on your manufacturers warranty or in filing a lemon law or breach of warranty claim if in fact GM cannot fix a non-conformity despite numerous repair attempts.  It appears General Motors is standing behind the brand and its warranty and will continue to do so until the make phases out.

And while the value of the vehicles will certainly diminish come trade-in time, if you like the model, now may be a time you can take advantage of the situation and purchase one for a very reasonable price.

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