DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 214 – From Hilda T. from Bangor, ME
Dear Suzanne,
I should have known something was wrong when my 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander started acting up almost immediately after I bought it. This was my first brand-new car, and I expected reliability and peace of mind. Instead, I got a headache.
At first, I chalked it up to bad luck—just a couple of minor issues. But as time went on, the problems got worse, and every attempt to fix one thing led to another issue. The Mitsubishi dealership? No help at all. They only added to my frustration.
That’s why I’m reaching out. Maybe you have a solution I haven’t considered. Here’s my story—a tale of regret about a car that’s been nothing but trouble. If I had a warranty for my sanity, I’d be rich by now.
Power Steering? What Power Steering?
One night, what started as a relaxing drive with friends turned into a nightmare. Out of nowhere, my power steering failed. One second, I was cruising smoothly, and the next, I was fighting the wheel like it was made of cement.
A quick online search suggested restarting the car in neutral. It worked—for five minutes. Then it failed again. And again.
After cutting the night short, I took the car to the dealership, hoping for a quick fix. Instead, I got a warranty-covered quote for replacing the steering shaft and rear control arms. They also found misaligned wheels, which might have been the real problem. Oh, and as if on cue, my front right blinker quit working that same night. All this at just 3,000 miles.
Breaking Down at Red Lights—Now I Get It
I used to read about cars shutting down in traffic and think, “That must be awful.” Now, I know firsthand.
In April, during a routine drive, I stopped at a red light, and my car shut off—dead silent, no warning, no weird noise. Electronics were still on, but the engine was lifeless. I had it towed home, planning to take it to the dealership the next morning. But when I tried starting it the next day, it came back to life like nothing ever happened.
Thinking it was a fluke, I moved on. A week later, it happened again. This time, I had it towed straight to the dealership. They said they were too busy and needed a few days. Four days later, they called me to pick up the car. When I asked what was wrong with it, they shrugged. No idea. It had just started working again.
Guess I have a self-healing Outlander. Lucky me!
A Cracked Windshield—Thanks to the Dealership
In August, a truck ran a stop sign and hit my driver’s side. It left a dent, but I wanted it fixed, so I took it in for insurance-approved repairs. By early November, I was ready to pick up my car—just in time for Thanksgiving.
But relief quickly turned to rage. When I got there, my windshield had four massive cracks on the right side. I pointed it out, and the manager blamed it on “intense heat” rather than admitting someone had dropped something on it. Then, as a generous gesture, they offered me a quote to fix their mistake!
After some back and forth (and my husband stepping in), they finally agreed to replace it. Problem solved? Not quite.
Another Cracked Windshield—For No Reason
Two months later, in January, I was sitting in my parked car when I noticed something shocking. Right before my eyes, a crack started spreading from the base of my windshield—without anything hitting it. No rock, no debris—nothing. It was like my car had been cursed.
I took it back to the dealership, certain it was a defect. They refused to help. No explanation. No fix. Nothing.
Now, I’m stuck with a car I’m afraid to drive because I don’t want the crack to spread. I also don’t want to give the dealership any excuse to blame me. So, my Outlander sits at home, useless, while I rely on my husband for rides to work.
Suzanne, what can I do? Does this qualify for a Lemon Law claim? Will it cost me anything to pursue one? And if I do, what can I expect in return? I need a solution ASAP because I’m at my breaking point.
Hilda T. from Bangor, ME
Your 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander’s Problems Might Make It a Lemon
Dear Hilda,
I hear your frustration loud and clear, and honestly, I can’t blame you. Buying a brand-new car is supposed to be an exciting, worry-free experience. Instead, it sounds like your 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander has given you nothing but headaches.
You’ve been more than patient dealing with these ongoing issues, but you shouldn’t have to keep fighting just to get a car that works properly. Maine’s Lemon Law is in place for situations just like this, and based on what you’ve described, you may have a strong case. Let’s go over your questions and see what your options are.
Can I file a complaint under the Lemon Law?
Yes, you can. Under Maine’s Lemon Law, a vehicle is considered a “lemon” if it has a serious defect that affects its use, safety, or value and the manufacturer or dealer hasn’t been able to fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Since your Outlander has had multiple major issues—including power steering failure, sudden shutdowns in traffic, and an unexplained cracking windshield—it sounds like your car may qualify.
The law typically requires that the manufacturer has had at least three repair attempts for the same problem, or the car has been out of service for at least 15 business days due to repairs. Based on what you’ve shared, you may meet this requirement, especially with the repeated power steering failure and the dealership’s inability to diagnose or fix the engine shutdown issue.
Will it cost me anything to file a Lemon Law claim?
Filing a Lemon Law claim in Maine doesn’t have to cost you anything upfront. The process starts with filing a complaint with the Maine Attorney General’s Lemon Law Arbitration Program, which is free. If your claim qualifies, an arbitrator will review your case. You’ll need to provide records of all repair attempts, service invoices, and any communication with the dealership or manufacturer. If you win, the manufacturer may have to either replace your vehicle or refund your money.
If you need legal help, many lemon law attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win. Maine’s law also allows you to recover attorney fees if you prevail, so you wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for legal assistance.
What do I get if my car is declared a lemon?
If your Outlander is found to be a lemon, the manufacturer must offer you either a replacement vehicle or a full refund, including taxes, registration fees, and other related costs. If you choose a replacement, it must be a comparable new vehicle. If you prefer a refund, you’ll get back what you originally paid, minus a small deduction for the miles you’ve driven. Given everything you’ve gone through, a buyback might be the best option so you can finally put this ordeal behind you.
What’s the next step?
At this point, I strongly recommend speaking with a lemon law attorney who knows Maine’s laws inside and out. While you can go through arbitration on your own, having an experienced attorney can help ensure you don’t miss any important details and improve your chances of getting the best possible outcome.
If your Outlander qualifies as a lemon, you may finally get the resolution you deserve. It’s time to turn this frustrating experience into a victory.
Suzanne
Find Out if Your 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Qualifies For Lemon Law Compensation
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 Maine 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 Maine Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Maine: Step-by-Step Guide
- Maine Lemon Law Arbitration Process: What to Expect
- Understanding Maine Lemon Law Comprehensive Guide
Featured Images:
- 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander ©Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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