Sahib Bhatia is a busy high school student who relies heavily on his vehicle. But when the automobile kept getting the very same dilemma more than and over, Sahib realized he had a “lemon” on his hands.
Could the ABC News Fixer aid him out?
Read Sahib’s letter to The Fixer beneath, and find out what happened. And verify out The Fixer’s suggestions for generating a prosperous case when your new car or truck seems to be a dud.
Do YOU have a consumer challenge? Perhaps The Fixer can assistance! Submit your troubles at ABCNews.com/fixer.
Dear ABC News Fixer:
I have a 2015 Dodge Challenger. It began obtaining challenges about six months soon after I got it, even although it was new. I have taken it in seven times for repairs. It expenses me time and gas cash to go drop off the automobile every single time. Nonetheless, the challenge has persisted.
Ultimately I took matters into my personal hands and referred to as the manufacturer and began a “Lemon Law” case. They keep telling me they are investigating. At one particular point, they supplied me $two,500 to close the case and preserve the automobile, but I decided to continue with the lemon method. Having said that, I am nonetheless waiting for a resolution.
I am frustrated. I believe it is time to get some assistance from you. Thanks.
-Sahib Bhatia, Fresno, Calif.
Do you have a consumer issue? The ABC News Fixer may be in a position to aid. Click here to submit your problem on the web. Letters are edited for length and clarity.
Dear Sahib:
Very first, one particular thing you left out of your letter: You’re a high school student! You were dealing with attempting to fix the automobile (seven occasions!), plus researching your state’s Lemon Law and staying on top rated of your case – all whilst maintaining up with homework, applying for college and playing on your school’s tennis group.
That’s a lot to handle. You had completed so a great deal operate and were so organized, the ABC News Fixer was extra than satisfied to give this a small push over the finish line.
You told us the very first sign of trouble came one day as you drove on the highway about six months just after receiving the automobile. As you approached your exit, the shifter lost power and the “check engine” light came on. The car or truck stalled, but fortunately you have been already at the ramp, so you coasted down and rolled to a stop. The vehicle was stuck in neutral and you couldn’t turn it off due to the fact the shifter wouldn’t shift into park.
Just after some stressful attempts, you finally got the auto into park and turned it off.
Later, when the dealership looked at it, they couldn’t discover the cause. You kept driving – and it happened once more. And once more. When you hit a pothole…when you stopped in a quickly-meals drive-thru.
You took it in seven occasions at two various dealerships, but the trouble kept taking place. Fortunately, you kept superior records. And you looked into the California Lemon Law, which protects shoppers who have persistent challenges with new cars.
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 attempt to get an update on your case.
You told The Fixer you think lots of customers would have gotten tired and provided up following six months of repair attempts at two distinctive dealerships and an additional 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 following, you got some superior news – they had been offering your decision of a replacement car or the monetary value of your automobile. You opted for the revenue.
We asked Fiat Chrysler about the long wait, and a firm spokesman said that’s just the way it is — it is a complicated procedure, with the title needing to clear from owner to manufacturer.
The organization stated that in the end, they have been glad they could take care of this “in the interest of client satisfaction.”
You have been clever to remain organized and retain great records of all the issues you had with the automobile.
Lemon laws vary from state to state, but are normally for new vehicles that have persistent, substantial troubles.
In your household state of California, a auto is a lemon if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, there have been two or more attempts to repair a critical problem that is probably to lead to death or really serious bodily injury, or four or much more attempts to repair the similar situation, or if the car or truck has been in the shop for additional than 30 days.
Here are some much more suggestions for success in a Lemon Law case: • Act rapidly. Verify the deadline to file in your state. You don’t want to lose out because you waited as well extended to file. And be positive to contact the manufacturer, not the dealer, to file your lemon case. • Maintain exceptional records. Write down the objective and date of each and every repair and note how extended your automobile was in the shop each time. • If you win, you will get a replacement automobile, or the cash worth minus the mileage. • Do not count on to get reimbursement for after-market place products. If you lose your case, you can nevertheless go to court.
Note: Lemon laws don’t apply to utilized cars. That’s why employed vehicle purchasers have to have to be especially careful. Right here are some good suggestions on acquiring a employed automobile.
And if you’re questioning exactly where lemons end up, they can be repaired and resold, but their registration should disclose that they have been when a “lemon obtain-back” vehicle.
-The ABC News Fixer
Do you have a consumer trouble? Make contact with The ABC News Fixer at www.ABCNews.com/fixer. Letters are edited for length and clarity.
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