DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 196 – From Ronald D. from Tallahassee, FL
Dear Suzanne,
It’s fascinating how a simple AC issue could turn into such a headache, but here I am. My 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has been having air conditioning problems, which is not something you can ignore in Florida. It all started when I turned my car on one day, and the AC started blowing hot air.
I don’t mind troubleshooting car problems. In fact, I enjoy learning more about how my vehicle works. But sometimes, vehicles can dish out enough mechanical drama to last a lifetime, and that can be exhausting. If you want to know how my situation went from auto education to endless frustration, join me as I recount some of my miserable experiences with my Chevy.
A Cool Breeze Gone Warm
I’ve had this Chevy for a while now, and it was supposed to be an upgrade, but that’s not how things turned out. I do DoorDash for a living, which means I spend most of my time driving around in Florida. If you’ve ever been here, you know how hot it can get. In other words, the AC should be my best friend, but it seems to be going on strike every other day.
A few months ago, I parked the car for about 20 minutes. When I started it back up, the AC was blowing hot air, which was a red flag right off the bat. I took it to the Chevrolet dealership, and they discovered that the AC compressor wasn’t spinning.
After trying a few things without success, they manually spun it, and voila, the cold air came back. The verdict was that I was low on refrigerant, which was why the compressor didn’t kick in. That made perfect sense.
As time went on, the problem started happening more often, low refrigerant or not. Every time I shut off the car, there was about a 50% chance that the compressor wouldn’t turn on again. So, what did I do? I would spin it by hand again, and thankfully, it usually worked.
Another Round of Dealership Visits
To get to the bottom of this, I went back to the dealership for another check. They told me that my compressor was shot, so they removed the refrigerant, did some tests, and then added Freon back in. When I got my Chevy back, the compressor still wasn’t kicking on. After a lot of back and forth with the service center, they finally admitted they didn’t put my original Freon back in. Suspicious, right?
Anyways, they fixed it, I got the car back, and I could hear the compressor spinning, but the air was still hot. The dealer suggested I buy a can of AC Pro, and maybe that would work. Weirdly enough, it did, and the AC started blowing cooler, but not cold enough. It was somewhere between room temp and cool, which is far from ideal in the Florida heat.
Soon enough, the can of AC Pro was all used up, and I discovered something. When driving around, the AC worked better if I was on the move, but as soon as I stopped, it started blowing warm air again. It’s as if the AC runs when the car runs, and I’m not even sure it was just the compressor anymore.
After all else failed, I just learned to live with this issue.
Coolant Nightmare
Now, let’s talk about the most recent issue that has been causing much grief. The problem started soon after I finally adjusted the variable performance of the air conditioning unit.
I went for my regular oil maintenance, and the dealer suggested I change the timing belt and water pump right away. They took care of that, but after about 200 miles of driving, a warning popped up on the dashboard. It read, “Turn off the car and check coolant level.” I did that, and sure enough, it was low, so I called AAA and they topped it up.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it. Over the next 4000-5000 miles, the coolant issue kept popping up. Sometimes, the warning light stayed on; sometimes, it didn’t. Each time, I filled it up. Eventually, it reached a point where the red warning light stayed on permanently after starting the car. This was when it became clear that something more serious was going on.
My mechanic suggested that it could be a head gasket problem, but the strange thing was, there was no smoke, no oily coolant, and no watery oil that usually accompanied such issues. Everything seemed normal on that front, but still, the warning light stayed on.
I’ve now driven close to 10,000 miles since the issue started, and the car still runs fine for the most part, but for some reason, the coolant problem refuses to go away. Sometimes, when driving on the highway, the warning light disappears, but as soon as I stop or slow down, it comes right back.
Heater Works the Same as the AC
My final complaint is that the car’s heating system is just as messed up as the AC. I complained to the dealership once, and they changed the heating radiator because it was filthy and seemed like the culprit, but still, no heat. The only time I get warmth is when I’m driving at higher speeds, around 1700-1800 rpm. If I slow down or stop, the air turns cold again.
Do you see how ridiculous this is? On one hand, I have the AC that only blows cold air when I’m moving, and on the other, I have a heating unit that produces heat only while moving. In both hot or cold weather, I always have to keep moving to regulate the temperature.
What Are My Options?
At this point, I’m not even concerned how the dealership does it. All I want is a functional car. Is there a way for me to get rid of this Chevy? Should I pursue a repurchase or replacement under the Florida Lemon Law? Do I need the services of an attorney?
Ronald D. from Tallahassee, FL
Resolving Your 2023 Chevy Malibu AC Problems with Florida Lemon Law
Dear Ronald,
No, it’s not normal for your vehicle’s heater and AC to only work in motion. I can’t blame you for feeling frustrated, since what should have been a reliable work vehicle has turned into something else. Your car troubles, along with the dealer’s questionable fixes, make it clear that you’re dealing with a lemon.
You’ve clearly had a rough experience with your 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, and it must be exhausting dealing with these persistent issues. Let’s go through your options under the Florida Lemon Law to help you find a solution.
Does My Car Qualify for Lemon Law
To determine if your car qualifies for the Florida Lemon Law, consider the following criteria:
- Defects and Repair Attempts: Your vehicle must have a defect or condition that significantly impairs its use, value, or safety. If the manufacturer or authorized service agent has made at least three attempts to repair the same defect, or if the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days due to repairs, your car may qualify.
- Notification and Final Repair Attempt: You must notify the manufacturer of the defect in writing, providing them with a final opportunity to repair the vehicle. If the problem persists despite these efforts, you can proceed with a Lemon Law claim.
Should I Pursue a Repurchase or Replacement Under the Florida Lemon Law?
If your vehicle has persistent issues that the manufacturer can’t seem to fix despite repeated attempts, you should start the process of filing a Lemon Law claim. The Florida Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers like you who purchase or lease new vehicles with significant defects. If your Malibu’s ongoing problems affect its use, value, or safety, you are entitled to certain remedies under the law. These remedies could include repurchase or replacement of your vehicle.
How Do I Go About It?
To get started, keep detailed records of all repair attempts and communications with the dealership and manufacturer. Documentation is crucial when filing a Lemon Law claim. Under the Florida Lemon Law, a reasonable number of repair attempts is typically considered if the vehicle has been back to the service agent for the same problem at least three times or if it has been out of service for a total of 30 days due to repairs. If your Malibu meets these criteria, you can file a claim to seek remedies.
Do I Need the Services of an Attorney?
Given the complexity and seriousness of your situation, consulting with a knowledgeable Lemon Law attorney is a crucial next step. An experienced attorney can guide you through the claims process, ensure all necessary documentation is submitted correctly, and increase your chances of a favorable resolution. They can help you understand your rights and negotiate effectively with the manufacturer.
Think of this as your reward for being patient with your vehicle through all its troubles. You’ve given Chevrolet its chance to get things right, and now, it’s time for you to take back control. Good luck and Godspeed!
Suzanne
2023 Chevy Malibu Lemon Car? We’ve Got You Covered!
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 Florida Lemon Lawyer 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 Florida Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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- Insider Tips: Navigate the Florida Lemon Law Like a Pro
Featured Images:
- 2023 Chevy Malibu ©Jason Lawrence (CC BY Attribution 2.0 Generic)
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