My 2019 Infiniti QX 50 Has Me Feeling Hopeless

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 169 – From Hopeless 

Dear Suzanne, 

There was a time when I loved Infiniti and the vehicles they produced because they seemed like the perfect blend of class and dependability. But those days are long gone now. This is mainly because my 2019 Infiniti QX 50 did not live up to my expectations. I purchased it certified pre-owned sometime in 2020 with 30,000 miles on it. It’s up to about 70,000 miles now, but this is not enough of an excuse for the problems I’ve been facing with this vehicle.

Persistent Braking Faults

Ever since I got it, the main issue I’ve been dealing with has to do with the brake system. I’ve taken it to the Infiniti dealership 3 or 4 times, but the issue keeps coming up. When I first took it in, the dealer told me there was already a recall for this same issue on my car. I asked them when it was issued and they said this recall order happened before I purchased the car and they had already inspected and fixed whatever was wrong.

However, I found two problems with what they said. One, they never said anything to me about a recall order when I purchased the car. And two, if they really had fixed it as they claimed, why then was the faulty brake system still an issue? To me, it seemed like they were trying to avoid fixing it again. This idea gained some weight when I asked them to take a look anyway and they said the warranty for this type of repair on my vehicle had expired, which was untrue at the time. 

Let me explain what it’s like to drive a car that has a faulty brake system. First of all, each time I drive, there is always doubt in the back of my mind that the brakes will fail if I drive at any reasonable speed. I usually try to drive at low speeds so I’m always in control if something happens. This means I spend almost twice as much time on a normal commute as I try to avoid highways if possible. 

Going down a hill is difficult/dangerous considering I have to apply brakes to control the speed. With brakes that work only some of the time, you can’t predict when you’ll be able to stop, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. In addition, there is also the issue of stopping at a crossroad, stopping at a traffic light, or even coming to a stop when there’s traffic. It’s a lot, to be honest, trying to navigate all of this while remaining focused on driving. This is not the only issue I’m facing – there is also the transmission and radiator problem to consider. 

The first time I had an issue with the brakes was at the same time the transmission started acting weird, about four months after I got the car. The day I took it to the dealership, the car was jerking and shaking then it just shut off. At first, I thought the problem was with the battery because all the lights were flickering. At the dealership, I later found out it wasn’t the battery, but they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. So I had to leave with my malfunctioning car. 

The following day, the car did the same thing and shut off on me while driving so I had to take it back. This time, they were like “Oh you were right, something is off blah blah blah…” They checked it over and said something about the transmission being faulty. They tinkered around for about an hour and then said it was all good, so I took my car and left. But even to this day, my car still jerks and shakes which makes me feel like it’s a hopeless situation. 

Still Replaced My Rotors

In addition to all of this, I’ve also had to get the rotors replaced three times in the past four months. I had to do this because the dealership said the suspension system of the car was no good and this was somehow affecting the brakes. On my right side, the brakes wear out quicker than they do on the left. Since it’s not possible to replace only one side, I had to replace both each time. Considering that my rotors only last about 6,000 miles before needing a replacement, I’ve had to do this two more times. 

I have spent so much money on different things ranging from tow costs to repairs, not to mention the time wasted. Like I said earlier, it seems like a hopeless situation so if lemon law can provide a glimmer of hope, I would greatly appreciate it. 

Hopeless 

Don’t Let Your 2019 Infiniti QX 50 Keep You Down 

Dear Hopeless, 

I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with all of this to the point where you’ve lost all hope. You don’t have to remain that way, the lemon law is there to help you make it through this. We know that sometimes the dealership can be quite insensitive, especially when you present a pretty standard issue and they refuse to perform their duties. However, you can take care of it with the lemon law.

Case Qualifies

From what you have described, you qualify for a lemon law case. This is because all you need is 2 repairs performed at the dealership concerning the same issues under the manufacturer’s warranty. It could otherwise be three repairs or more for different problems. Seeing as you meet these requirements, you have a good case. Depending on what you hope to get out of the lemon case, you can move forward with your lemon law attorney.

The thing about defective vehicles like yours is that when you begin to experience issues, it only gets worse from there. This is because once the warranty expires, you’re stuck with a vehicle that you would have to pay for repairs out of pocket. 

Any fault you are experiencing with your vehicle isn’t always the fault of the dealership. They only do the best they can to cover up the mistakes of the manufacturer. If the vehicle is built wrong, the dealership is only there to patch up the work to minimize the car’s defects.

Once your claim is approved, there are a couple of options available to you regarding your vehicle. You can discuss this further with your lawyer before making a decision and getting your case started. However, it’s best to get started sooner rather than later.

The Cash and Keep

The first option is called the cash and keep. If you opt for this option, you are able to keep the car while your warranty remains valid. You will receive some cash as compensation for the issues you dealt with during the time you owned the car. Also, if you later wish to sell off the vehicle, you can do so without deeming it a lemon to the next owner. 

The money the automakers would offer may vary from case to case. In general, the cash amount is dependent on the number of times you took your car in, the type of issues, and how severe those defects are. 

The Buyback

There is a second option called the buyback or repurchase offer. Here, as the name implies, the automakers would buy back the vehicle. Once they get the car back, you would get back all the money you have ever spent on the car. 

This would include your down payment, monthly payments, and even your taxes and interest. Moreover, you would get a refund for any further miscellaneous fees, if any, like Uber costs, tow fees, etc. 

With this option, there is also a clause known as the mileage offset. This mileage offset is a term that refers to the automakers’ right to charge you for the period you drove the car without any issues. It is usually based on the number of miles you were at during your first visit. Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may be able to have this waived in half or in full.

The good news about lemon cases in California is that you do not have to pay any attorney fees. Lemon cases are usually taken on a contingency basis. This is because in California, the manufacturing company is in charge of settling the law firm’s fees. Hence, 100% of the original settlement will be going straight to you. 

If you have any further questions, reach out to your attorney as they’re the best equipped to guide you through the process. I hope you’re able to find a classy yet reliable vehicle that exceeds your expectations! Best of luck!

Suzanne

Featured Image: 2019 Infiniti QX 50 ©Kevauto (CC Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 license)

Free Legal Advice About Your 2019 Infiniti QX50 Lemon Law Claim

Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about California’s lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (323) 553-7525 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.

DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about California Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim in California, please write to help@lemonlawyers.org. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.

Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a CA Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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