We have started getting calls on the 1 800 LEMON LAW hotline from distressed drivers complaining of a Chevrolet Sonic starting problem.  They will be at home or in a parking lot when all of a sudden the car will not start leaving the driver stranded.  And what makes matters worse is that GM service advisers do not have any current solution for the problem.  They are encouraging Sonic drivers to lock and unlock their car repeatedly to get the car moving.  This is certainly not what you want to hear when you purchase a brand new car.

We have heard from folks who have been advised not to drive with key cards in their pockets or park next to cars with large antennas.  What?  We heard about another situation where the car has been out of service for months because every time they start the Sonic up, it stalls again.

If you are suffering with Chevrolet Sonic starting problems, it is important that you report the issue to a GM authorized dealer each and every occurrence, and if necessary have the car towed in to see if they can verify or duplicate the problem.  Do not settle for the lock/unlock remedy.  Make sure they look at the car thoroughly and that you receive a repair invoice each and every time you report the issue.  If you are back in for Chevrolet Sonic stalling problems three or more times, or your Sonic is in a shop for an extended period of time, it is important that you contact a Lemon Law Lawyer to discuss your rights under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  You may be able to get a complete refund and legal help is free.

If you have a Chevrolet Sonic that is stalling, feel free to fill out our Get Rid of Your Lemon form for more information.

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. 

Every day, we receive many calls to our 1-800-LEMON LAW hotline, and most callers have a common question “Do I have a lemon?” As discussed before, a lemon by definition is a vehicle with a significant non-conformity that affects the use, value or safety of the vehicle, and cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of repair attempts.  Each state’s lemon law provides a different number of repairs required, a different amount of time in which the first repair needed to be performed, and a number of days in which the car is in the shop to be declared a lemon.  In Pennsylvania, for instance, the lemon law says the car has to be in the shop three times, with the first problem occurring in the first 12 months or 12,000 miles whichever comes first, or in for 30 days within the first year. (But, please remember that after the lemon law parameters ran out, you still have rights under Federal Law as long as you are covered under manufacturers warranty.)

Then, we need to look at the defect.  Many folks think that in order for a car to be declared a “lemon,” something needs to go wrong with the engine or transmission, and the car cannot run.  This is untrue.  Here are just some of the problems we have encountered in our caseload, which have resulted in new cars, full or partial refunds for our clients, in addition to standard no start, engine, and transmission problems:

• Faulty Gas Gauges
• Sliding Doors
• Water Leaks/Mold
• Faulty Door Windows & Locks 
• Check Engine Lights
• Brake Problems–constant replacement of rotors, pads etc.
• Pinging Noises/Piston Knock in Engine
• Stalling
• Navigation System Defects
• Faulty Electrical Sensors
• Sunroof Problems
• Steering Fluid Leaks
• Sudden Acceleration/Deceleration
• Constant Replacement of Radio/CD Player
• Oil Consumption
• Convertible tops not retracting
• HVAC problems

The bottom line is as long as the dealer is fixing the problem and billing the repair to your manufacturer’s warranty, it is a defect that could yield compensation.  The important thing is to make sure you keep all of your repair invoices, and if you find yourself in three times, TAKE ACTION either with us or through another avenue.  The Laws are in place to help you; Take advantage of them.

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).