Sahib Bhatia is a busy high college student who relies heavily on his car or truck. But when the car kept obtaining the identical difficulty more than and over, Sahib realized he had a “lemon” on his hands.
Could the ABC News Fixer assistance him out?
Study Sahib’s letter to The Fixer below, and obtain out what happened. And check out The Fixer’s strategies for producing a prosperous case when your new car appears to be a dud.
Do YOU have a customer challenge? Maybe The Fixer can assistance! Submit your problems at ABCNews.com/fixer.
Dear ABC News Fixer:
I have a 2015 Dodge Challenger. It began getting issues about six months just after I got it, even although it was new. I have taken it in seven instances for repairs. It fees me time and gas dollars to go drop off the vehicle every single time. Nonetheless, the issue has persisted.
Eventually I took matters into my personal hands and named the manufacturer and began a “Lemon Law” case. They retain telling me they are investigating. At one point, they offered me $two,500 to close the case and keep the car, but I decided to continue with the lemon approach. Even so, I am nevertheless waiting for a resolution.
I am frustrated. I think it is time to get some help from you. Thanks.
-Sahib Bhatia, Fresno, Calif.
Do you have a customer difficulty? The ABC News Fixer may be capable to assistance. Click right here to submit your trouble on-line. Letters are edited for length and clarity.
Dear Sahib:
1st, one particular thing you left out of your letter: You’re a high college student! You were dealing with trying to repair the car or truck (seven instances!), plus researching your state’s Lemon Law and staying on top of your case – all while maintaining up with homework, applying for college and playing on your school’s tennis team.
That is a lot to deal with. You had performed so significantly perform and had been so organized, the ABC News Fixer was much more than pleased to give this a small push over the finish line.
You told us the 1st sign of problems came 1 day as you drove on the highway about six months just after finding the car or truck. As you approached your exit, the shifter lost power and the “check engine” light came on. The car stalled, but fortunately you were already at the ramp, so you coasted down and rolled to a cease. The automobile was stuck in neutral and you couldn’t turn it off because the shifter wouldn’t shift into park.
Just after some stressful attempts, you ultimately got the automobile into park and turned it off.
Later, when the dealership looked at it, they couldn’t locate the bring about. You kept driving – and it occurred again. And once again. When you hit a pothole…when you stopped in a rapidly-meals drive-thru.
You took it in seven occasions at two unique dealerships, but the trouble kept taking place. Fortunately, you kept very good records. And you looked into the California Lemon Law, which protects buyers who have persistent difficulties with new autos.
Your dad filed the case with the manufacturer – his name was on the sales contract – but you took charge of the telephone calls. That became your new hobby, calling the manufacturer to try to get an update on your case.
You told The Fixer you believe a lot of consumers would have gotten tired and given up following six months of repair attempts at two diverse dealerships and a further two months of dealing with the manufacturer.
But you kept at it.
We reviewed your documents and got in touch with Fiat Chrysler, which owns the Dodge brand, asking about the delay.
Shortly immediately after, you got some fantastic news – they were offering your decision of a replacement vehicle or the monetary value of your vehicle. You opted for the cash.
We asked Fiat Chrysler about the long wait, and a company spokesman said that’s just the way it is — it’s a complex process, with the title needing to clear from owner to manufacturer.
The firm said that in the end, they were glad they could take care of this “in the interest of consumer satisfaction.”
You have been sensible to remain organized and preserve very good records of all the issues you had with the auto.
Lemon laws vary from state to state, but are normally for new cars that have persistent, substantial difficulties.
In your home state of California, a car or truck is a lemon if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, there have been two or far more attempts to repair a severe issue that is probably to cause death or serious bodily injury, or 4 or much more attempts to repair the exact same concern, or if the automobile has been in the shop for more than 30 days.
Right here are some extra tips for good results in a Lemon Law case: • Act rapidly. Verify the deadline to file in your state. You don’t want to drop out simply because you waited also long to file. And be certain to get in touch with the manufacturer, not the dealer, to file your lemon case. • Maintain great records. Create down the purpose and date of every repair and note how lengthy your car or truck was in the shop each and every time. • If you win, you will get a replacement vehicle, or the cash worth minus the mileage. • Don’t count on to get reimbursement for right after-market place things. If you drop your case, you can nonetheless go to court.
Note: Lemon laws do not apply to used cars. That is why utilised automobile purchasers need to have to be especially careful. Right here are some good strategies on getting a utilised vehicle.
And if you’re questioning where lemons end up, they can be repaired and resold, but their registration ought to disclose that they have been after a “lemon obtain-back” automobile.
-The ABC News Fixer
Do you have a customer challenge? Make contact with The ABC News Fixer at www.ABCNews.com/fixer. Letters are edited for length and clarity.
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