You have reported the problems.You’ve taken the vehicle to the dealership.You’ve provided the repair records.You’ve explained what happened.Then the manufacturer says:“We are denying your claim.”That can feel like the end of the road.It usually isn’t.A manufacturer’s denial is the manufacturer’s position. It is not necessarily a judicialdetermination that you do not have a claim. Why […]
Many people wait to contact a lawyer because they assume the process will be complicated, expensive, or require them to spend hours in court.In many cases, the first step is much simpler. A lawyer needs to understand what happened to your vehicle.The first step is usually reviewing the facts A lawyer will generally want to […]
If you believe your new vehicle is a lemon, you may hear something that sounds annoying: “You have to go through arbitration first.” Sometimes that is true.Sometimes it depends on the manufacturer’s dispute-resolution program and the specific claim you are pursuing.And there is an important distinction between a manufacturer’s informal dispute resolution process and court […]
You receive an email from the manufacturer.There is an offer.Maybe it is a buyback.Maybe it is a cash payment.Maybe it is a replacement vehicle.The manufacturer wants you to sign an agreement and resolve the dispute. The natural reaction is: “Is this a good deal?” That question is harder to answer than it sounds. The first […]
Sometimes a manufacturer will offer you money to keep your vehicle rather than buying it back.At first glance, that can sound like a great deal.You keep your car.You receive money.You avoid the inconvenience of returning the vehicle and finding another one. But there is another way to look at it: How much is it worth […]
Getting an offer from the manufacturer to buy back your vehicle can be a relief. After weeks or months of dealing with a defective new car, the manufacturer may finally let you know: “We’ll take the vehicle back.” That sounds like the end of the problem. Sometimes it is. But before accepting a buyback offer, […]
You take your new vehicle to the dealership. They replace a part. The problem returns. They replace another part. The problem returns again. Then another component is replaced. And you’re still driving the same defective vehicle. At some point, you may start asking: How many parts can they replace before someone has to acknowledge that […]
You bought a new vehicle. Something doesn’t seem right. You take it to the dealership. After looking at the vehicle, the service adviser tells you: “That’s normal.” Maybe the vehicle jerks when shifting.Maybe the brakes make a strange noise.Maybe the steering feels unusual.Maybe the engine makes a noise you’ve never heard before.Maybe the vehicle occasionally […]
One of the most difficult new-car problems is one the technician cannot see. You bring your vehicle to the dealership because something is wrong. The technician drives it. The technician connects diagnostic equipment. Nothing happens. Then you hear: “Unable to duplicate the concern.” If this has happened to you, don’t assume you are out of […]
Its frustrating to bring a brand-new vehicle to the dealership because something is clearly wrong, only to hear: “We couldn’t find anything wrong with it.” You know what happened. You felt the transmission hesitate. You saw the warning light. The vehicle suddenly lost power. The brakes behaved differently. The electronics shut down. But when the […]