Lemon Law and the GM Guarantee
Since General Motors filed for bankruptcy this year, they are working hard to win back confidence. They are now offering a 60-day money-back guarantee on their Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac brands; through November 30, a buyer can return a vehicle between 31 and 60 days for a full refund, no questions asked. There are...read more
Read MoreInaccurate Repair Orders – How Consumers May be Affected
The importance of rigid lemon laws continues to be acknowledged by lawmakers. Last week, new legislation was signed into effect for the state of New Jersey expanding coverage to assist automobile and motorcycle drivers who suffer a defect within the first two years or 24,000 miles which cannot be fixed after three repair attempts, or...read more
Read MoreThe Lemon Motor Home Lots of Misery, Damn Little Recreation
If you have heard that you can’t take legal action when you have a lemon Motor Home (RV), disregard it. An motor home manufacturer with quality problems probably spread that rumor. In California, your lemon motor home absolutely qualifies under the Song-Beverly Act, California’s tough lemon law statutes. And believe it, a lot of them...read more
Read MoreThis 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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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