DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 163 – From Tired Wisher
Dear Suzanne,
I own a 2021 Ford Ranger that I purchased certified pre-owned. It only had about 22,000 miles on it when I got it, but I’ve taken that up to 46,000 miles. When I first got this truck, I thought it was an answer to my prayers, but now it seems like a nightmare. The Ranger came with a promise of adventure, excellent handling, and the classic Ford powertrain, but it’s this powertrain that has been giving me issues for months now.
I wonder if I’m the only one battling this issue, because the Ford dealership sure makes it seem that way. Several times I’ve taken it in to the dealership just for them to tell me they can’t replicate the issue. Even worse is when they said they fixed it when it’s obvious that they haven’t.
The problem with the truck’s powertrain began with the engine along with an oil pan gasket leak. With the engine, the issue is that the vehicle sometimes loses power for no reason. There are several times I have been driving on the freeway when the truck would all of a sudden lose power seemingly due to engine failure. I can’t count how many times I’ve had to report this to the dealership, everytime yielding no solution. There was even an incident where this problem put my life at risk.
My Engine Called an Early Nap Time
I was driving on the highway and wanted to overtake a slower vehicle in front of me. As I changed lanes to pass them, the engine decided that was the moment to quit. The sudden decrease in speed almost caused the vehicle behind me to rearend me from behind. Fortunately the driver managed to maneuver around me without hitting my truck. Who knows what would have happened if things went differently.
As for the oil pan gasket leaks, it started as a smell of burning oil that filled the truck. When I first perceived this burning smell, I took the truck to the dealership and they traced the odor to the oil gasket. They said the gasket was leaky and oil would spill onto the exhaust causing the smell. According to them, the solution was to replace the gasket which would take them two days, so I left my truck with them.
Something Smells Funny, and Not Just the Oil Pan
Two days later, I got my vehicle back and the odor was absent. But less than a week later, I noticed the smell was back, so I returned to the repair shop. They denied smelling anything and claimed everything was good. I even asked them to inspect the gasket again to see if it was loose but they said they couldn’t since they were unable to replicate the issue.
The engine failure is happening more frequently, making it seem like the oil pan gasket leak and the engine failure may be related. I’m tired of complaining every couple of days to the dealership about these issues and getting turned away. I just wish I could go back to when I made the decision to get the truck and choose something else. But wishes aren’t horses, and I’m not riding anywhere in this thing. Is there anything I can do?
Tired Wisher
Your 2021 Ford Ranger Needs a Lemon Lesson
Dear Tired Wisher,
As much as you can’t go back to change the past, you can always do something about the future. You don’t have to stay stuck with the truck if you take advantage of the lemon law. The lemon law makes it possible for lemon owners to do away with their defective vehicles and get into a reliable ride.
Lemon Law Qualifications
If the manufacturer, in your case Ford, sold you a vehicle that’s defective, then the vehicle may be deemed a lemon. To qualify, you must have given the dealership enough time to fix it during which they either couldn’t fix it, neglected to fix it, or don’t know how to resolve the problem. The faulty components could either be the electrical system, engine, transmission, or another important component of the vehicle.
Speaking of qualifications, one requirement is that you must have taken your car to the dealership at least twice to fix the same issue. Three repair attempts for different problems also counts. If by any chance you had to leave your vehicle at the repair shop for a month, then you may also meet the requirements. These visits must all have occurred within the original manufacturer’s warranty.
Fortunately, you already meet at least one of these conditions. Considering they are already replacing parts of the engine, it spells danger for the future. This is because the issues will most likely come up later, and by then your warranty may have expired. This means you would become responsible for paying the dealer for each repair.
Let’s get into the lemon law and what it offers you. In a lemon law case, there are usually three options available for you, the lemon owner.
Settlement Options
The first is called the buyback option, where the automakers buy the vehicle back from you. In addition, they refund you all that you have spent on the vehicle including monthly payments, down payments, and the taxes accrued on the vehicle. If you owe some money on the vehicle, they pay that off as well. This way, your credit isn’t damaged and may even improve.
There is a chance for the manufacturer to deduct from the settlement called the mileage offset. This mileage offset means they charge you for the miles you drove before the vehicle had its first issue. This is usually based on your first visit to the dealership. Check through your repair order documents to confirm your mileage during your first visit.
The second option is called the cash and keep. Here, the manufacturer gives you cash compensation for the inconveniences you’ve had to deal with. The amount of money you get depends on all the issues the car has had, the number of times you’ve taken it in, and how long the car has been at the dealership.
In addition to this, you get to keep the vehicle with the warranty intact. If you decide to sell the truck in the future, you do not have to deem it a lemon to the next owner. As such, you can receive compensation and then resell the vehicle if the problems become too much for you.
Last but not least is the replacement offer. Usually, this is not as preferred as the others, but it is still an option nonetheless. With this, the manufacturer trades your vehicle in for another used truck with similar mileage and value as yours. The problem with this option is that you run the risk of getting another lemon.
Lemon Law Tips
One good thing about lemon law cases in California is that you as a client do not have to pay any fees. The attorney gets paid by the manufacturer, in this case Ford Motoring Company. That means you can explore your options without having to risk your own money.
In addition to everything said, note that lemon law cases may take as long as 2 to 8 months to settle, so you’ll have to be patient. While you’re waiting, make sure you continue to drive the vehicle as usual. If it has any further issues, take it to the dealership like normal. The more times you visit the dealer, the more proof the vehicle is defective, and the more money you stand to gain.
I hope you’re able to get out of your Ranger and find a reliable ride. If you have any questions, reach out to an experienced lemon law attorney, they’ll steer you in the right direction. Bonne Chance!
Suzanne
Featured Image: 2021 Ford Ranger ©Captainmorlypogi1959 (CC Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 license)
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Free Legal Advice About Your 2021 Ford Ranger 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 CA 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 California Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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