DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 210 – Marie L. from Baton Rouge, LA
Dear Suzanne,
I never thought I’d reach the point where I’d seriously consider pushing my car off a cliff just to watch it disappear, but here we are. This Chrysler has tested every ounce of my patience, and I hope I never have to deal with anything this frustrating again.
Honestly, when I found out that 2023 would be the final production year for the Chrysler 300, I wasn’t surprised—I was relieved. Maybe now they’ll finally admit they don’t know how to build a reliable car. Thanks to their incompetence, I’ve had to deal with electrical failures, battery nightmares, and an alternator that may or may not work when I need it to.
If you haven’t already guessed, I own a 2023 Chrysler 300. And this is my story.
A Delayed Start—Then Everything Fell Apart
It didn’t happen all at once. At first, it was just a slight hesitation when I pushed the start button. No sputtering, no dramatic warning signs—just a slight delay before the engine kicked in. I figured it was nothing. Maybe my car was just having a bad day.
Then one morning, it didn’t start at all. I pressed the button. Nothing. The lights flickered for a split second and then went completely dark. Worse, the brake pedal locked up, and no amount of pressing the start button did anything.
The weirdest part? My car’s system told me the battery was half full. So, if it wasn’t the battery, what was it? The alternator? Or something worse?
After ten long minutes of trying, the car finally gave in and started. But before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, the check engine light came on.
A Battery Light That Wouldn’t Quit
Two weeks later, the battery warning light popped up. I was swamped that day, so I figured I’d check on it later. After all, the car was still running fine—for now.
That didn’t last long. One night, just as I was pulling into my work parking lot, my Chrysler had a full-blown meltdown. Every warning light on the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. The car started acting erratically before shutting off completely.
I thought maybe the alternator had finally died, but after getting a jump and taking it to the Chrysler dealership, they pulled the alternator for testing. It was fine.
Okay, so maybe the battery? They took it out, and that’s when we found the culprit. The positive terminal connector was so corroded that it snapped off in the mechanic’s hands. They replaced the connector, tested the battery, and found it still had 80% life left.
With the bad connection fixed, everything should have been fine. But, of course, it wasn’t. A few days later, the battery light came back on—just as randomly as it had disappeared.
A Dealership That’s Clueless (or Just Doesn’t Care)
By this point, I was done trying to figure it out myself. I took the car back to the dealership and told them everything—the dead starts, the check engine light, the battery issues, the warning lights. I expected them to dig deeper, maybe check for electrical faults or software glitches.
Instead, they kept the car for two days, only to tell me they couldn’t find anything wrong. “No trouble codes,” they said. “Everything looks fine.”
Fine? My car randomly shuts off while I’m driving, and that’s fine?
I pushed for answers, but all they did was reset the system and send me on my way. And guess what? A few days later, the battery light came on again.
Now I’m Stuck—What Can I Do?
At this point, I don’t trust the dealership, and I definitely don’t trust Chrysler. I’m beyond frustrated because I know something is wrong, but nobody seems to care enough to fix it.
I’ve heard a little about Louisiana’s Lemon Law, but I don’t know if my situation qualifies. The dealership has had my car a few times, but they always say nothing is wrong. Does that count as an “attempted repair,” or do they actually have to replace something for it to count?
Also, how many repair attempts do I need before I can take legal action? And what if Chrysler drags its feet—how long do I have before I run out of options?
I really don’t want to keep driving this thing, especially since it keeps shutting off out of nowhere. Do you think I have a case under Louisiana’s Lemon Law? And if so, what should I do next?
Thanks for your time,
Marie L.
Baton Rouge, LA
Editor’s Note: This letter has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.
Could your 2023 Chrysler 300’s Electrical Failures Qualify for Louisiana Lemon Law Protection?
Hi Marie,
I can really feel your frustration and disappointment as you’re dealing with all of these issues with your 2023 Chrysler 300. It’s hard to imagine how stressful it must be to deal with a vehicle that keeps failing on you, especially when you’ve already spent so much time and energy trying to get it fixed. I understand why you’re ready to just walk away from it all, and I want to help you figure out if the Louisiana Lemon Law might be able to give you some relief.
Your Lemon Law questions:
Can I qualify for Lemon Law compensation for my Chrysler 300’s issues?
Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like you may be dealing with a lemon vehicle under Louisiana’s Lemon Law. The law protects consumers like you when a new car has ongoing issues that the dealer or manufacturer can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts.
To qualify, your car must have a serious defect that affects its use, safety, or value, and it must have been in the shop for repair at least 4 times for the same issue or be out of service for 30 or more days in total. Given the ongoing issues you’ve had with the battery, alternator, and electrical system, you could very well have a case. It’s important to keep detailed records of all your repair attempts, as these will be crucial if you move forward with a claim.
Could an attorney help me, and are they expensive?
Yes, an attorney specializing in Lemon Law cases could help you resolve this issue. They can guide you through the process of filing a claim, ensuring that you meet all the legal requirements for Louisiana’s Lemon Law. The good news is that most Lemon Law attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t charge you unless they win your case. This can help take the financial pressure off you during what is already a stressful situation. You won’t have to worry about upfront costs—your attorney will only get paid if they successfully recover compensation for you.
Talk to an Attorney
The next step would be to consult with a knowledgeable Lemon Law attorney in Louisiana. They can help you understand the strength of your case, guide you through the process, and represent you if you decide to pursue a claim. Having a professional on your side could make all the difference in getting a positive outcome.
Marie, I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to deal with a car that just won’t cooperate, especially after all the time and effort you’ve already put into trying to fix it. But don’t lose hope—there are legal options available to you, and taking action could finally give you the resolution you need.
Suzanne
Banish Your 2023 Chrysler 300 Lemon Car Problems Today!
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2023 Chrysler 300 ©Damian B Oh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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