DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 217 – From Dave G. from Germantown, MD
Dear Suzanne,
I’ve owned plenty of cars in my life, but never have I dealt with this many issues back-to-back. I bought a 2023 Jaguar F-Pace SUV (P250) expecting a solid, reliable vehicle. Instead, within a week, I was already struggling to start it. Then, during a road trip, the engine failed catastrophically, spewing oil and coolant everywhere. A new starter got it running again, but soon after, it began shutting off whenever I put it in drive or reverse.
That was just the beginning. Here’s the full story. Maybe if you read it, you can help me figure out what’s really wrong with this car—and whether I have any options to get out of this nightmare.
The Starting Problem That Never Went Away
The trouble started almost immediately. After just a few days, I noticed the car wouldn’t crank—just an audible click from the engine area. At first, smacking the ignition would get it to turn over, but soon, that trick stopped working. Eventually, the car refused to start altogether.
I took it to the Jaguar dealership, and after an inspection, they claimed the anti-theft control module needed replacing. That struck me as odd—how could a brand-new car already have a failing security system? But they made the repair, and I hoped that was the end of it.
A Breakdown on the Highway
To shake off the bad start, I took the F-PACE on a road trip. That turned out to be a terrible mistake.
While driving uphill, the engine started ticking rapidly—like a time bomb. Within seconds, I pulled over, only to see thick white smoke pouring from the hood. The car had completely lost power, and I watched in disbelief as oil and coolant pooled beneath it. Before the trip, both the dipstick and coolant reservoir had been full. Now, they were barely half full. But the damage was done—my car was out of commission.
I had it towed to the dealership, where they found a blown head gasket and a faulty starter. They replaced both, and for a brief moment, everything seemed fine. That didn’t last long.
It Shuts Off in Drive and Reverse
Not long after the repairs, I was stopped at a red light when the engine shut off. I restarted it, but every time I shifted into drive or reverse, the engine immediately stalled.
I had a brand-new starter, yet the issue persisted.
The Fuel Pump Fiasco
A month later, the car broke down again. This time, I had it towed to a different shop. Their diagnosis? The fuel pump needed replacing. I got the car back after a few days, and for a while, it ran fine. Then, out of nowhere, it stopped starting again.
The dealer dropped the gas tank and found that the fuel line had somehow detached from the pump. They reattached it, but that wasn’t the end of it. The RPMs started fluctuating at random, especially after idling for a while. It only got worse the longer I drove.
Then, the unthinkable happened: the car died completely, leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere. I checked all the usual suspects—fuel filter, oil, oil filter—but nothing fixed it. After yet another visit to the dealer, things finally seemed stable.
For a little while, at least.
Trouble After an Oil Change
Just when I thought the worst was over, a simple oil change triggered yet another issue. After picking up the car, I noticed the gear shifter was unusually stiff. At first, I thought I was imagining things, but a mechanic confirmed it—something was off. Within minutes, the shifter became even harder to move.
Then, the engine started shaking. The shop swore nothing they did could have affected the transmission, but since then, I’ve been stuck. The car won’t even shift into drive or reverse without a struggle.
Is This a Lemon?
The issues keep piling up, and no matter what the dealer does, my Jaguar just won’t run right. Maybe I got a lemon, or maybe I’m just unlucky—but either way, this car is far from the luxury I was promised.
If this is a lemon, what are my rights? How can I get rid of this car without taking a huge loss? I need answers.
Dave G. from Germantown, MD
Too Many Repairs, Too Soon—Your 2023 Jaguar F-Pace Might Be a Lemon
Dear Dave,
Wow, your experience with the 2023 Jaguar F-Pace sounds incredibly frustrating. No one expects a brand-new luxury SUV to have these kinds of problems, especially not right off the lot. From engine failures to starting issues and fuel system breakdowns, it’s clear you’ve been put through the wringer. But don’t worry—you may have a strong case under Maryland’s Lemon Law, and I’m here to help you understand your rights.
Is My Jaguar a Lemon?
Maryland’s Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to have serious defects. Based on what you’ve described, your F-PACE may qualify. The law applies to cars that develop substantial defects within the first 24 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. These defects must either significantly impair the vehicle’s use, safety, or value—or remain unresolved after multiple repair attempts.
In your case, you reported problems almost immediately, and the car has spent a lot of time in the shop. The repeated engine failures, electrical issues, and fuel system malfunctions seem to indicate a major defect. Since these problems impact your ability to safely drive the vehicle, they could meet the legal threshold for a lemon.
What Can I Do If My Car Is a Lemon?
Under Maryland law, if a manufacturer fails to fix a covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts, they must either replace your vehicle or give you a full refund. Typically, the law requires four unsuccessful repair attempts for the same issue or one attempt for a problem that creates a serious safety risk. If your car has been out of service for 30 or more days due to repairs, that also strengthens your case.
From what you’ve shared, it sounds like you’ve gone far beyond the point of reasonable repair attempts. You’ve already replaced major components like the starter and fuel pump, yet the same or new problems keep popping up. You shouldn’t have to keep dealing with this.
What Are My Next Steps?
At this point, I strongly recommend consulting with an experienced Lemon Law attorney. They can help you determine whether your F-PACE qualifies and guide you through the process of filing a claim. Jaguar may not make things easy, and manufacturers often try to push back against buybacks or replacements. Having a lawyer on your side ensures you don’t get taken advantage of and that you get the compensation you deserve.
It’s frustrating to be stuck with a vehicle that doesn’t work properly, but Maryland’s Lemon Law gives you a real chance to resolve this. You’ve put up with enough stress, and you shouldn’t have to worry about your car breaking down every time you drive. Reach out to a Lemon Law attorney and take the first step toward getting rid of this headache for good.
Suzanne
Turn Your 2023 Jaguar F-Pace Lemon into Lemonade!
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 Maryland 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 Maryland Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- Is My Car a Lemon? Understanding Eligibility Under Maryland Lemon Law
- Maryland Lemon Law Buybacks & Compensation Explained
- Maryland Lemon Law: How It Works & How to File a Claim
Featured Images:
- 2023 Jaguar F-Pace ©Damian B Oh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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