DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 197 – From Beatrice S. from Atlanta, GA
Dear Suzanne,
Ever since I bought my 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4, it’s been a story of endless car problems, one after another. Recently, when I wanted to go on vacation, this issue almost made me postpone it. If I said it didn’t bother me, I’d be lying.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that problems can show up out of nowhere and drain both your time and wallet. This is why I need your advice now more than ever, Suzanne.
Engine or Transmission Troubles? I Wasn’t Sure at First
A few weeks before my anniversary, it was my 10th anniversary with my wife, and I was looking to make things special, running up and down to make reservations and all that romantic stuff. The plan was to go on vacation, but my car had other plans for me.
One day, while running some errands, I hit the gas, but instead of taking off as it should, the car barely moved. Then came a loud clunk, and suddenly, there was no power going to the wheels.
Naturally, my first thought was the engine, but it seemed to be running fine. I tested a few things trying to figure out what was going on, and my fears were realized: the transmission. It was as if it had forgotten how to work. When I put it into Park, the gear just wouldn’t engage. As a result, I had to rely on the handbrake to keep the car stationary; otherwise, it would have rolled off.
When this issue arose, I first considered canceling the trip, but I rethought it. I didn’t want to let car trouble derail my vacation plans, so I called the Mitsubishi dealership to pick up the car. I rented another vehicle, which I took on vacation.
After returning home, I called the dealership for an update. Guess what? It wasn’t the transmission after all—it was a broken front axle, which they replaced. It was a relief that it was fixed, but unfortunately, that was just the beginning of my complaints.
Rattling on Idle
After the front axle replacement, my car decided rattling while idle would be its new hobby. I noticed that whenever I put it in drive or reverse and held the brakes, it would make a rattling noise. The noise would disappear as soon as I pressed the gas pedal, but it was still concerning.
This issue kept happening, but it was hard to pin down because it would come and go. Sometimes, when I reported it to the dealership, the problem would disappear, only to return shortly after leaving the shop. I even tried recording the sound, but it didn’t seem as pronounced as it sounded in real life.
I kept taking the car to the repair shop, hoping I would finally have some luck and they could replicate the noise. Thankfully, my resilience paid off. After an inspection, they suggested a motor mount issue or a loose factory-installed bolt. However, that didn’t seem to do the trick. The mechanic even checked the oil and transmission fluid, but everything seemed good. The noise persisted, and it was beginning to drive me nuts.
In one final act of desperation, I decided to try another authorized Mitsubishi dealership. Fortunately, they performed a more thorough inspection and offered me a diagnosis and a solid solution. Apparently, a failing torque converter was causing the rattling. Like with the front axle, they replaced it entirely because the converter was too far gone to be repaired. As a result, my vehicle spent 2-3 weeks at the repair shop.
A Big Ol’ Jerk
Within two months of getting the converter replaced, my Mirage developed a brand new jerking problem. This big ol’ jerk became even more prominent when accelerating uphill. My main dealership diagnosed it as an overheating issue and replaced the thermostat, coolant tank, and coolant, but guess what? Nothing changed.
Frustrated, I returned to the second shop, hoping they would work their magic again. They suggested replacing the MAF sensor and valve actuator, but this time they wanted to charge me $700. Something smelled fishy, considering I was still under warranty, so I tried negotiating. They agreed to keep working on the car at a “lower cost.”
After I got the car back, I complained once again about no improvement, so they took it back for another two days. When I got the car back, it again seemed like they hadn’t done anything, because the jerkiness was still very much present.
Here are a few things I observed with this specific issue:
- The jerk only happens when accelerating from a stop or moving slowly uphill.
- It’s worse after the car runs for more than 15 minutes.
- The RPMs jump between 2500 and 2800 when the jerk occurs, almost as if the car is confused about how much power to deliver. When this happens, the jerk is so violent that I bounce in my seat.
Because of this issue, I bought an OBD scanner to see if I could diagnose it myself. However, I am no closer to finding a solution. The mechanics are as baffled as I am, and I’m considering taking my car to the manufacturer’s headquarters.
Now that you know my ordeal, I want to know if the lemon law can help me. Do I qualify for lemon law benefits? If I am, what is the process to file a claim? I’m really desperate.
Beatrice S. from Atlanta, GA
How Georgia Lemon Law Applies to Your 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4
Dear Beatrice,
Your frustration is not only valid but also completely understandable. The good news is that the Georgia Lemon Law may provide you with a way to turn this illusion of satisfaction the dealership is selling you into your reality by compensating you for your defective vehicle. Let me walk you through what this law entails, how it applies to your case, and what you can do to ensure you receive the resolution you deserve.
Given your ordeal, I want to help you understand your rights under the Georgia Lemon Law. Let’s delve into the details to address your questions and guide you through the next steps.
Do You Qualify for Lemon Law Benefits?
Based on your description, it seems like you may qualify for lemon law benefits in Georgia. To qualify, your vehicle must meet certain criteria:
- Substantial Defects: Your vehicle must have one or more substantial defects covered by the warranty that significantly impair its use, value, or safety. The issues you’ve described, such as the transmission problems, rattling, and jerking, appear to be substantial defects.
- Repair Attempts: The manufacturer or dealer must have made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle. Typically, this means three or four attempts to fix the same defect or one attempt to repair a defect that could cause serious injury or death. You’ve mentioned multiple repair attempts by different dealerships without resolution.
- Time Frame: The issues must occur within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. Since your vehicle is a 2023 model, it appears to fall within this time frame.
What is the Process to File a Claim?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to filing a lemon law claim in Georgia:
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all repairs, including dates, descriptions of the issues, and any correspondence with the dealership or manufacturer. This will strengthen your case.
- Notify the Manufacturer: Send a written notice to the manufacturer, detailing the issues and the repair attempts made. This formalizes your grievances and requests a resolution.
- Final Repair Attempt: Allow the manufacturer one final attempt to repair the vehicle. If the issue persists, they must either replace the vehicle or refund your money.
- File a Claim: If the problem remains unresolved, you can file a lemon law claim with the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Division or seek legal assistance.
Next Step: Consult a Lemon Law Attorney
I highly recommend consulting with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney. They can guide you through the process, help you gather necessary documentation, and represent your interests to achieve the best possible outcome. This step is crucial to ensuring your rights are fully protected.
You’ve endured enough, and it’s time to move forward with confidence. The process may seem daunting, but with the right support, you’ll be back on the road to satisfaction in no time.
Suzanne
Immediate Help for Your 2023 Mirage G4 Lemon Car!
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 Georgia 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 Georgia Lemon Lawyer to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- Common Defects Covered Under Georgia Lemon Law
- How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Georgia: Step-by-Step Process Explained
- Georgia Lemon Law: Eligibility and Requirements Explained
Featured Images:
- 2023 Mirage G4 ©Wide Awake! (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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