DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 248 – Elizabeth O. from Kansas City, MO
Dear Suzanne,
I rely on my car every single day, so when things don’t work right, it’s beyond frustrating. Modern vehicles are supposed to make life easier, but I’ve learned the hard way that when technology fails, it can cause serious headaches.
My 2023 Chevy Equinox had one job: to keep me on the road without hassle. Instead, I’ve dealt with a remote app that doesn’t work, a stolen car, and a leaking radiator. At this point, I’m wondering if car ownership is even worth it.
A Remote App That Can’t Be Trusted
I use the myChevrolet app daily—mostly to lock and unlock my car or double-check that it’s secure. One evening, I noticed the app wasn’t updating properly. It said my car was locked, but when I checked in person, it was still unlocked. When I tried again, I got a “request timed out” message. I shrugged it off as a glitch, but it kept happening.
I called customer support, and they told me to take the car to the Chevrolet dealership. That’s when things got ridiculous. The dealer tried everything—restarting my phone, updating the OS, deleting and reinstalling the app, even clearing the app’s memory. Nothing worked.
Then they went further: turning Bluetooth off and on, removing and re-adding the car to my account, and disconnecting the battery. Still nothing. The app just refused to update properly.
A Stolen Car and a Dead Infotainment System
I should have known better than to trust the app, but after a long day at work, I relied on it to lock my car and went to bed. Before sleeping, I double-checked—“Locked.”
The next morning, my driveway was empty. My car had been stolen.
I reported it immediately to the police and my dealership. Thankfully, the police recovered it, but not before the thief had their way with it. Instead of unplugging the radio like a typical car thief, they cut the connectors. My infotainment system was completely dead.
At the dealership, fixing it turned into a disaster of trial and error. First, they spliced in new connectors and replaced the OEM radio. Black screen. Then they replaced the entire instrument panel wiring harness. Still nothing. Next, they swapped in another used OEM radio. Same problem.
The worst part? The troubleshooting steps required the touchscreen to work—but the screen was black. How does that make any sense? The radio gets power (I can use my steering wheel controls), but the screen refuses to turn on.
At this point, I’ve gone months without a backup camera or music. My dealership suggested reprogramming the system, but can they even do that if the screen won’t turn on?
A Leaking Radiator and More Trouble
As if all that wasn’t enough, my Equinox decided to add another problem. One day on the highway, I noticed the heat randomly coming and going, especially when I accelerated. Then, one night, I saw the temperature gauge rise—only to drop back down moments later. That was my cue to get it checked.
The next day, I took it to the dealership. They checked the coolant and found the reservoir completely empty. That was surprising since I had recently gotten a flush and refill. The only explanation? A radiator leak.
I figured they’d patch it up and send me on my way. Instead, they told me I needed a full radiator replacement. To make things worse, the part was back-ordered, and when it finally arrived—three weeks later—it wasn’t even an OEM part. It was an aftermarket replacement.
Now, even with the repair, I still don’t feel comfortable in this car. I’ve had too many issues, and after everything—including the theft—I just don’t trust it anymore.
Can the Missouri Lemon Law Help Me?
I want to know if the Missouri Lemon Law applies to my situation and, if so, how much compensation I could get. Also, would hiring a lawyer make a difference in the outcome?
At this point, all I want is a real solution. I’ve lost faith in this car, and I don’t want to keep dealing with problem after problem.
Elizabeth O.
Kansas City, MO
Yes, Your 2023 Chevy Equinox’s Issues Could Make It a Lemon
Dear Elizabeth,
Car problems are frustrating enough, but when you’re dealing with multiple serious issues—on a brand-new vehicle—it’s downright exhausting. I completely understand why you’re feeling fed up with your 2023 Chevy Equinox and questioning whether keeping this car is even worth it. The good news is that Missouri’s Lemon Law might be able to help, and I’m here to walk you through your options.
Does the Missouri Lemon Law Apply to My Situation?
Missouri’s Lemon Law covers new vehicles that develop a serious defect within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. This defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, safety, or value. If the manufacturer or dealership fails to fix the problem after four repair attempts (or if the vehicle is out of service for 30 or more days due to repairs), you may be entitled to a refund or replacement.
From what you described, your car has had multiple issues, but for the Lemon Law to apply, at least one of those issues must meet the definition of a “substantial defect.” The infotainment system failure could qualify since it affects safety features like your backup camera. The radiator leak is also a major concern, especially if it causes overheating and leaves you stranded.
Theft-related damage is tricky—it’s not a manufacturing defect, so it likely wouldn’t be covered under the Lemon Law. However, the remote app failing to lock your car could be relevant if it’s tied to a larger electronic or security system malfunction.
How Much Compensation Could I Get?
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you could receive a full refund (minus a small deduction for mileage) or a replacement vehicle. Missouri’s law also allows you to recover reasonable attorney’s fees, meaning a lawyer can help you at little to no cost.
If your car doesn’t qualify under the Lemon Law, you might still have options under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or Missouri’s general consumer protection laws. These could help you get compensation for ongoing repair issues, even if you’re outside the Lemon Law’s mileage or time limits.
Would Hiring a Lawyer Help My Case?
Yes, and here’s why. Lemon Law cases often involve pushback from manufacturers—they may argue that your car doesn’t meet the criteria, delay the process, or offer a lowball settlement. Having a lawyer levels the playing field and increases your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. Plus, since Missouri allows for attorney’s fees in Lemon Law claims, hiring a lawyer usually costs you nothing upfront.
What Should I Do Next?
I know you’re beyond frustrated, but you don’t have to deal with this on your own. That just doesn’t make any sense especially when you can get a top-tier attorney to represent you on contingency.
I strongly recommend speaking with a Lemon Law attorney to see if your case qualifies. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can get out of this mess and move on from this car. If you’d like, I can help connect you with someone who specializes in Missouri Lemon Law cases.
You’ve already been through enough with this vehicle—you deserve a real solution. I hope this helps, and I’d love to hear back from you on what you decide to do next.
Suzanne
Editor’s Note: The letter above has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.
Free Legal Advice About Your 2023 Chevy Equinox 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 Texas’ lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (833) 743-1990 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 Missouri Lemon Law or how to file a claim, please write to [email protected]. 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 Missouri Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2023 Chevy Equinox ©Bull-Doser (Public Domain)
