DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 208 – Patricia G. from Joliet, IL
Dear Suzanne,
When I bought my 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, I expected a smooth and reliable ride for at least a few years. After all, it’s a Chevy, and I thought it would hold up well. I was excited about the new features and the sleek design, but from the moment I drove it off the lot, it’s been nothing but trouble.
The Acceleration Problem
The first issue I noticed was with the acceleration. At first, I thought it might have just been a fluke, but after it happened several times, I realized this was a recurring problem. When I press the gas pedal, the car hesitates before speeding up. This happens both in city traffic and on the highway. It’s not a small delay—it’s enough to make me nervous, especially when I’m trying to merge into traffic or make a quick lane change.
I took it to the Chevrolet dealership, and they said it was a software glitch and needed an update. I thought that would solve it, but the issue came back within a couple of days. It’s been an ongoing problem, and it’s starting to make me feel unsafe behind the wheel.
Sudden Stalling
Then, the car started stalling out on me. One afternoon, while driving home from work, the car just shut off in the middle of traffic. I wasn’t going fast, so I was able to pull over safely, but it was still pretty terrifying. After that, it happened two more times in the next few days. Each time, I was able to start the car back up, but it’s made me avoid driving on the highway altogether.
I took it back to the dealership, and they said it was just a sensor failure, so they replaced the part. But the problem didn’t go away. It happened again shortly after the replacement. I feel like we’re right back where we started.
Unresponsive Brakes
The last major issue I’ve been dealing with is the brakes. Sometimes, when I press the brake pedal, it feels like there’s a delay before the car starts to slow down. It’s not like the brakes don’t work at all, but the response isn’t consistent, and that makes me really nervous when I need to stop quickly.
I’ve had the car checked out twice now for this issue, and both times, the dealership said they couldn’t find anything wrong. Honestly, at this point, I don’t feel safe driving it, especially with the combination of all these problems.
All These Issues and No Real Fix
I’ve taken the car in for repairs three separate times now, but nothing has been fully resolved. Each time, the dealership claims to have fixed something, but the issues keep coming back. It’s starting to feel like no one at the dealership really knows how to fix these problems or that they’re just patching things up without actually solving anything. I’m frustrated, especially since I spent a good amount of money on this car.
I’ve been asking myself: Do I have a lemon on my hands? With all these repeated issues and no permanent fixes, I’m starting to wonder if Illinois’ Lemon Law can help me out.
Does My 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Qualify for Illinois’ Lemon Law?
Here’s a breakdown of the main issues:
- Acceleration hesitation/delay
- Car stalling out unexpectedly
- Brakes not being as responsive as they should be
I really hope the Lemon Law can offer me a solution, because at this point, the car is more of a liability than a reliable vehicle. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Patricia G.
Joliet, IL
Your 2023 Chevrolet Malibu’s Ongoing Problems: Why Illinois Lemon Law Might Be the Solution
Hey Patricia,
I’m so sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve been having with your 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. It sounds incredibly frustrating, especially since you’ve been to the dealership multiple times and still haven’t found a permanent fix. I completely understand how unsettling it can be to drive a car that has so many recurring issues, particularly when it’s impacting your safety and peace of mind. I’m glad you reached out, and I’m here to help you understand your options under Illinois’ Lemon Law.
Does My 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Qualify for Illinois’ Lemon Law?
From what you’ve described, it certainly sounds like you could have a strong case under Illinois’ Lemon Law. The law is designed to protect consumers like you when a car has persistent problems that don’t get fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Let’s break down how your situation measures up.
The Acceleration Problem:
The acceleration issue you’ve been experiencing falls under the category of a substantial defect, especially because it’s happening repeatedly and is affecting the car’s performance. Since it’s causing you to feel unsafe while merging into traffic or changing lanes, it’s reasonable to consider this a major problem. Given that the dealership didn’t resolve it after attempting to fix it, this could count as one of your repair attempts under the Lemon Law.
Unresponsive Brakes:
The issue with the brakes is a serious safety concern, especially given that it could affect your ability to stop the car in an emergency. Even if the dealership can’t identify the exact problem, the fact that this issue is still unresolved after two attempts at repair could strengthen your case. This could fall under the category of a serious defect affecting the car’s safety and function.
Sudden Stalling:
As for the stalling, this is also concerning. A car stalling while driving in traffic could lead to a dangerous situation. Since this problem has persisted after the dealership replaced the sensor, it seems like they haven’t been able to permanently fix it. The Lemon Law allows for multiple attempts at repair, so it’s definitely worth looking into further.
Next Steps
At this point, I highly recommend consulting with a knowledgeable Lemon Law attorney. An attorney will be able to look at all the details of your case and help you decide if pursuing a Lemon Law claim is the right move. They can also help you get the proper documentation and assist you with the legal process. Consulting with an expert can make a huge difference in resolving your lemon car problem.
Taking Action to Resolve Your Lemon Car Issues
Patricia, I know you’ve been stuck in a tough spot with this car, and I can understand how frustrating it must be to feel like the dealership isn’t giving you any real solutions. But don’t worry – Illinois’ Lemon Law could be the answer you’ve been looking for. I recommend consulting with a skilled attorney who specializes in these types of claims. They’ll help you explore your options and put you in the best position to resolve this issue for good.Â
Best,
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.
Tired of Your 2023 Chevrolet Malibu Lemon Car? Fix it Now!
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 Illinois 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 Illinois Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2023 Chevrolet Malibu ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
