One of the most frustrating things a new-car owner can hear is:
“We fixed it.”
You pick up your vehicle.
Maybe it seems fine.
Then a few days later, the same problem comes back.
Now what?
A repair order marked “fixed” does not necessarily mean the problem is gone forever
Dealerships repair vehicles every day.
Sometimes the first repair solves the problem.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
A repair order is a record of what the dealership did. It is not necessarily proof that the vehicle will never experience the problem again.
If the defect returns, report it.
What if the dealer says, “That’s normal”?
This is another common situation.
If you believe something is wrong with your new vehicle, explain the symptoms clearly.
Ask the dealership to document your complaint.
If the dealer believes the condition is normal, ask that position to be included in the repair
documentation.
That creates a record.
What if the same problem comes back immediately?
Return to the dealership and explain that the problem has returned.
Bring your previous repair order if necessary.
Tell the service adviser:
“This is the same problem I reported on my previous visit.”
Be specific about what happened.
Why the repair history matters
Imagine this sequence:
Visit 1: Transmission hesitation. Software update.
Visit 2: Transmission hesitation returns. Further diagnosis.
Visit 3: Transmission component replaced.
Visit 4: Same hesitation returns.
Now there is a clear history of a continuing problem.
What if the dealership cannot duplicate the problem?
This is particularly common with intermittent electrical and software problems.
If the problem happens again, document it.
A photograph or video of a warning message can be helpful when safely obtained.
Keep a written log.
Include:
- date;
- mileage;
- circumstances;
- symptoms;
- warning messages;
- what you did;
- whether the vehicle stopped operating normally; and
- what happened afterward.
Don’t be afraid to describe the problem in detail
Instead of saying:
“The car has transmission issues.”
Tell the service advisor:
“When accelerating from approximately 20 mph, the vehicle hesitates for several seconds before suddenly shifting into the next gear.”
Specific information gives the service department something to investigate.
Could this become a Nevada Lemon Law claim?
Possibly.
Nevada law provides a framework for consumers whose new vehicles do not conform to
applicable express warranties and cannot be brought into conformity after a reasonable number of attempts. The statute identifies four repair attempts for the same continuing nonconformity and 30 cumulative days out of service as important presumptions regarding a reasonable number of attempts.
So if the dealer keeps telling you the vehicle is fixed but the same serious problem continues, do not assume the matter is over.
What should you do next?
Gather your repair orders.
Create a timeline.
Write down when your new vehicle was first delivered to you.
Record when the problem first occurred.
List every repair visit.
Calculate the number of days the vehicle was in the shop.
Keep your communications with the dealership and manufacturer.
Then have the complete history evaluated.
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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