Buying a new vehicle and then discovering that the engine is having serious problems can be frustrating.
You may have purchased the vehicle specifically because you expected years of dependable transportation.
Instead, you’re dealing with:
- warning lights;
- oil problems;
- overheating;
- stalling;
- loss of power;
- unusual noises;
- engine misfires;
- repeated repairs; or
- even a complete engine replacement.
Can an engine problem make a new vehicle a lemon in Nevada?
Potentially.
Engine problems can vary dramatically
Not every engine problem is the same.
A minor issue that is quickly repaired is very different from a serious defect that repeatedly returns.
Some problems may involve:
- oil consumption;
- fuel-system problems;
- overheating;
- timing components;
- turbochargers;
- engine sensors;
- misfires;
- loss of compression;
- stalling;
- internal engine damage; or
- complete engine failure.
What if the dealer replaces the engine?
An engine replacement is a major repair.
Keep the repair order.
Find out:
- why the engine was replaced;
- when it was replaced;
- what mileage was on the vehicle;
- how long the vehicle remained at the dealership;
- whether the replacement engine is covered by warranty; and
- whether the same problem returns afterward.
A replacement does not necessarily end the analysis.
What if the replacement engine fails too?
That can be especially significant.
Don’t ignore warning lights
If your check-engine light repeatedly appears, do not simply reset it and continue driving
indefinitely.
Have the vehicle inspected.
Keep copies of diagnostic codes if they are provided.
A diagnostic code can help establish what the vehicle was experiencing, although a code by itself does not prove a Lemon Law violation.
What if the problem only happens sometimes?
Intermittent engine problems can be difficult to diagnose.
Write down:
- when it happened;
- speed;
- driving conditions;
- warning lights;
- sounds;
- smells;
- whether the vehicle lost power; and
- what happened afterward.
Could an engine problem qualify under Nevada Lemon Law?
Potentially.
Nevada’s Lemon Law focuses on whether a new vehicle conforms to applicable express
warranties and whether the manufacturer has been unable to conform the vehicle after a
reasonable number of attempts. The defect or condition must also substantially impair the vehicle’s use and value and not result from abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations.
That means a serious engine defect can potentially be part of a Lemon Law claim.
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.
This site is for informational use only, does not provide legal advice, and does not
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