This Lemon Car Brain is Damaged Surgery Is Not An Option
Each year, cars, trucks and RVs get more complicated. In this new electronic world computers manage most of the various vehicle operations, such as the power package, transmission, brake systems, emission control system, entertainment systems and safety related systems. Although computers make it more difficult for an individual to work on his or her car,......
Read MoreLongevity of Ownership
A recent report by R. L. Polk and Company has concluded that Americans are keeping their cars and trucks on the road for record periods as the economy has weakened. Through mid-2008, the median age of cars in operation rose to 9.4 years, up from highs of 9.2 years in 2007 and 2006, the report......
Read MoreBeware the “Diagnostics”
The necessity for protecting consumers with the lemon law continues to be demonstrated—and not just in the US. China has had an auto recall system in place since 2004, and the system now has to be utilized in the recall of nearly 700,000 Toyota passenger cars with defects in their electric window systems. The faulty......
Read MoreLemon Law and the Differing Warranties
Honda has just expanded a recall from last year, dealing with a potentially deadly airbag defect—once again illustrating the continuing need for the lemon law. Nearly half a million vehicles have been added to the recall, the models now including 2001-2002 Honda Accord, the 2001 Civic, and the 2002-2003 Acura TL. Owners are being told......
Read MoreCash for Clunkers- Let the Buyer Beware
Consumer advocates have called upon the Department of Transportation to investigate two scams they allege are being perpetrated by car dealers participating in the Car Allowance Rebate System, better known as Cash for Clunkers. Spokespersons for two groups, Consumer Action and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, claim that some dealers are making customers sign......
Read MoreLemon Law and the Vehicle Business
A consumer recently wrote into the Consumer Action section of the Press of Atlantic City, New Jersey web site, complaining that they had purchased a 12-year old vehicle, and had paid an additional $1,000 for a 1-year warranty. When a defect arose on the vehicle, however, the dealership refused to honor the warranty because it......
Read MoreCheck Your Buyer’s Guide
The state of Pennsylvania recently joined the 36 other states in objecting to the General Motors bankruptcy case. In a similar manner to other state actions, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has stated that state officials have serious concerns about consumer and business rights, ranging from lemon law claims and warranties to state laws regarding......
Read MoreTrade In Instead of a Buy Back?
Lemon laws continue to make the headlines. Just this week, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray announced that the new, restructured General Motors has agreed to, among other items, accept lemon law claims without caps on damages or fees. The agreements came on the heels of four limited objections filed by the AG with the New......
Read MoreDealers ‘Slicing and Dicing’ a Defect
Lemon laws continue to be needed today—and continue to be strengthened in many states. In one example, the state of New Jersey has just enhanced their own lemon laws, which extends the period of vehicle warranty coverage from 18,000 to 24,000 miles. The improved laws will also make a significant distinction between the types of......
Read MoreChrysler Agrees to Honor Lemon Law
After Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy declare, there were numerous reports of check payments for defective vehicles bouncing on consumers. This led to speculation that following their bankruptcy, the company would not be honoring payments owed to consumers for settlements or court findings for them under federal and state lemon laws. This has now changed, as Chrysler......
Read MoreLemon Law: How and When to File a Claim
The lemon law continues to be a source of news throughout the US. Most recently, strengthened lemon law legislation for the state of Oklahoma was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry. Consumers are publicly raising an outcry against Chrysler, who recently declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and have not been honoring legitimate lemon law claims.......
Read MoreWhen Repeated Repairs Don’t Work
It was recently reported that federal regulators have received over 200 complaints about transmission problems in the 2004 Ford Explorer. The complaints allege that there is a delay between the time when vehicles are shifted into reverse, and when the reverse gear actually engages. Other, more serious complaints state that the SUV may shift from......
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