Lemon Law Blog

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% [?]

This Summer, the 1-800 LEMON LAW phone lines are abuzz with folks who are suffering with faulty convertible tops, most notably with the new hard top models — the Chrysler Sebring, the BMW 335,  the Volvo C70 and the Volkswagen EOS.  If you are suffering with continuous problems with your convertible top, please know that the defect does represent a significant non-conformity that affects the use, value and safety of the vehicle, and State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws are here to protect you.  It is especially important that you pick up a warranty repair invoice each time you take your car in for service.  These invoices specifically identify the problem the consumer is complaining of, the amount of the days that the car was in service, a detailed explanation on how the problem was fixed, and a list of all the components replaced in the vehicle.

We have noticed that there are certain potential convertible clients who are NOT receiving repair tickets each time they bring their car in, either because they are told a repair ticket is open or the part is on back order (particularly frustrating during the season you use the convertible the most.)  Try not to take that for an answer and firmly request proof of your repair visit.  If you get nowhere, start a log with the the date, mileage and details of each visit.  This information will help a great deal when it comes time to file a claim.

If you have any questions about your convertible, fell free to drop us a line or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

Popularity: 8% [?]

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.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Eagle eyed blog readers may notice that one vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta, is mentioned both on the 2007 Car Complaint Index (in the number 3 position) and among the compact cars in this year’s Best Bets. How can that be?

“Best Bets” are based on expected performance in ten categories (crash tests, safety features, fuel economy, rollover, overall, maintenance and repair costs, warranties, insurance costs, and complaints), with the greatest emphasis placed on crash test performance and complaints.

The Car Complaint Index compares the number of complaints submitted to the National Traffic Safety Administration to the number of sales. The Jetta has been one of VW’s top selling cars for many years, and with higher sales sometimes comes a higher number of complaints from drivers. As we discussed in a previous blog entry, these comments can be subjective. However, it is important to note that we saw consumers complaining about the same components, namely electrical, so we feel their observations may carry some merit and perhaps this is an issue the manufacturer may want to look into.

On the other side of the coin, the CCI does not take any of the other factors into consideration, most notably VW’s 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, safety features, and fuel economy, all of which are ideal for a consumer looking for a compact vehicle.

Hope this clears up the confusion! Safe driving!

Popularity: 8% [?]

From Car Connection:

Volkswagen will recall some 790,000 vehicles for faulty brake lights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a recall notice last week, cited the company’s Jetta, Golf, GTI, R32, and New Beetle models in the recall, stating that brake lights in these vehicle may have brake lights and switches that do not function properly, which could lead to an accident.

The specific models and years included in the recall are the 1998-2007 New Beetle; the 1999-2005 Jetta sedan; the 1999-2006 Golf and GTI; the 2001-05 Jetta wagon; the 2003-07 New Beetle Convertible; and the 2004 R32.

Last year VW recalled Jettas and New Beetles for the same problem, CNNMoney.com reports.

Repairs will begin on or after April 27, 2007, and will be made for free.

Popularity: 7% [?]