Few vehicle problems are more frustrating than a transmission that does not work the way it should.
A brand-new vehicle may hesitate, jerk, slip, shudder, fail to shift, go into limp mode, or
suddenly refuse to move normally.
If your new vehicle is having transmission problems, you may be wondering whether you have a Lemon Law case.
Transmission problems can be serious
A transmission problem can affect:
- acceleration;
- drivability;
- reliability;
- fuel economy;
- safety;
- towing capability; and
- the overall value of the vehicle.
Some transmission problems are minor and successfully repaired.
Others keep returning despite repeated attempts to fix them.
Common complaints
Owners may report:
- harsh shifting;
- delayed engagement;
- slipping;
- shuddering;
- hesitation;
- failure to move;
- unexpected downshifting;
- transmission warning messages;
- loss of power; or
- the vehicle entering a reduced-power or limp mode.
Document exactly what happens.
Ask the dealership to put the complaint on the repair order
This is important.
If you tell the service adviser specifically what is wrong:
“The transmission hesitates when accelerating from a stop,”
make sure the repair order accurately describes the complaint.
Don’t be satisfied with a vague statement such as:
“Customer says vehicle drives funny.”
The more accurately the problem is documented, the easier it is to reconstruct the repair
history later.
What if the dealer reprograms the transmission?
Software updates and reprogramming can solve legitimate transmission problems.
But if the same problem returns, report it again.
A repair history might eventually show:
- software update;
- transmission inspection;
- component replacement;
- another software update; and
- continuing symptoms.
That history can become important.
What if the transmission fails completely?
A catastrophic transmission failure in a relatively new vehicle deserves immediate attention.
If the vehicle is under the manufacturer’s original warranty, make sure the warranty claim is properly documented.
Keep towing and rental-car records as well.
Could a transmission problem be a Nevada Lemon Law issue?
Potentially.
Nevada law provides remedies when a new vehicle does not conform to applicable express warranties, the manufacturer or its authorized repair facility cannot conform it after a reasonable number of attempts, and the defect or condition substantially impairs the vehicle’s use and value.
Four repairs for the same continuing nonconformity and 30 cumulative days out of service are important statutory benchmarks.
But you should not wait until you have exactly four visits before seeking advice about a serious problem.
Take the 30-Second Nevada New Car Problem Quiz
If your new car has been in the shop repeatedly, you don’t have to figure out
whether it might be a lemon by yourself.
Take our 30-second Nevada New Car Problem Quiz.
We’ll ask about your vehicle, warranty, repair history and time out of service.
Precision Injury Law represents Nevada consumers with qualifying vehicle
warranty and Lemon Law problems.
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