DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 222 – From Sarah L. from Syracuse, NY
Dear Suzanne,
I’ve always been a fan of Hondas. They’re reliable, great for daily commutes, and have a solid reputation. So when I bought my 2023 Honda Accord, I thought I was making a smart choice. The reviews were glowing, the car looked sleek on the outside, and the interior felt modern and comfortable. I was excited to enjoy my new ride—until the nightmare started.
From the very first drive, I noticed a problem: the air conditioning kept failing. On hot summer days, instead of cooling the car, it would blow hot air. At first, I tried to brush it off, thinking it was just a one-time glitch. But it only got worse.
AC Issues Strike at the Worst Possible Time
The trouble started within the first two months of owning the car. One scorching afternoon, while driving home from work, the AC suddenly stopped working. I fiddled with the settings, turned it off and back on—nothing.
I figured it was just a minor hiccup, but the same thing happened again the next week. Then again a few days later. Sometimes the AC worked fine, but then, out of nowhere, it would switch to blasting hot air, as if it were trying to cook me alive.
Repeated Repairs, No Real Fix
I took the car to the Honda dealership, hoping for a quick fix. They ran tests but couldn’t find anything wrong. Instead, they reset the system and sent me on my way. For about a week, it seemed fine—but then the issue returned.
Over the next few months, I took the car back to the dealership two more times. Each time, they told me they couldn’t replicate the issue. “It’s probably just the heat,” they said. But that didn’t make sense—how could a brand-new car struggle to keep me cool in the summer?
On my third visit, they finally replaced the compressor. I thought that would solve it, but a few days later, the AC failed again. I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle: the dealership claims it’s fixed, and then, sure enough, the hot air returns.
Zero Comfort, Just Frustration
The worst part? I can’t rely on my car for basic comfort anymore.
On a recent road trip to visit family in Oklahoma, the AC died in the middle of nowhere—in 90-degree heat. I had no choice but to roll down the windows, but it barely helped. The entire drive was miserable.
With the heat waves we’ve been having, I’m starting to feel like I can’t even drive my car in the summer without worrying that the AC will fail at the worst possible moment. It’s more than just uncomfortable—it’s unsafe. Driving in extreme heat with no way to cool down isn’t just annoying; it can be dangerous.
Frustrated and Out of Options—What Now?
At this point, I’m beyond frustrated. I spent good money on this car, and it’s barely a few months old. I shouldn’t have to keep going back to the dealership over and over again for the same problem.
I’ve heard about New York’s Lemon Law, but I’m not sure if my situation qualifies. Does it apply to issues like this? Should I keep bringing the car back to the dealership, or is it time to explore legal options?
All I want is a car that works the way it’s supposed to. Is that too much to ask?
Please let me know your thoughts—I need some direction on my next steps.
Sarah L. from Syracuse, NY
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.
A Brand New 2023 Honda Accord Should Keep You Cool—Not Leave You in the Heat
Dear Sarah,
I know how frustrating this must be for you. Purchasing a new vehicle ought to provide peace of mind, not perpetual headaches. You paid for a workhorse Honda, and instead, you’re left shvitzing through 1 repair after 1 repair with no real solutions in between. Nobody should have to fight this hard for the basic comfort and safety of a brand-new vehicle. Let’s review your options and determine if New York’s Lemon Law can help.
After dealing with repeated AC failures, you’re probably wondering if this qualifies as a lemon under New York law and whether you should keep going back to the dealership or take a different approach. Let’s break it down step by step.
Does the New York Lemon Law Cover My Situation?
Yes, your case could qualify under New York’s Lemon Law. The law covers new cars that have a serious defect that affects use, value, or safety—and repeated AC failure in extreme heat can be considered a safety issue. Since your car is still under warranty and the dealership has failed to repair the problem after multiple attempts, it’s worth looking into filing a lemon law claim.
To qualify, your car must have been repaired at least four times for the same issue or been out of service for 30 or more days due to repairs within the first two years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Since you’ve already had multiple repair attempts, you may be on the right track to a valid claim.
Should I Keep Taking My Car Back to the Dealership?
For now, yes—but with a plan. You want to document everything each time you take your car in. Ask for detailed repair invoices showing the dates, the reported issue, and what was done. If they say they “can’t replicate the issue,” make sure they put that in writing, too.
If the problem continues and the dealership can’t provide a lasting fix, you’ll have strong proof that your car is a lemon. This documentation is crucial if you decide to move forward with a lemon law claim.
Is It Time to Consider a Legal Route?
Since your AC issue keeps coming back and the dealership hasn’t been able to fix it, it’s time to seriously consider your legal options. New York’s Lemon Law gives you the right to a refund or replacement if your car meets the criteria.
At this point, you may want to speak with a lemon law attorney to review your case and determine the best course of action. A lawyer can help you understand whether you qualify and guide you through filing a claim against Honda.
Next Steps: Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney
Consulting with a lemon law attorney is the best next step. They can review your repair history, confirm whether your case qualifies, and help you move forward with a claim. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can finally get this issue resolved and stop wasting time at the dealership.
Sarah, you shouldn’t have to deal with this anymore. You paid for a dependable car, and you deserve one that actually works. Don’t let the dealership string you along—New York’s Lemon Law is there to protect you. I highly recommend speaking with an attorney to see what your options are. If your car qualifies, you could get a refund or a replacement and finally put this frustrating situation behind you.
If you’d like to discuss this further, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help however I can.
Suzanne
Resolve Your 2023 Honda Accord Lemon Car Issues Quickly!
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 New York 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 New York Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2023 Honda Accord ©deathpallie325 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
