DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 207 – James G. from Aurora, IL
Dear Suzanne,
When it comes to cars, I’ve always considered myself a “careful enthusiast.” I love cars, but making car-related decisions usually leads to a bit of anxiety. On the surface, everything seems appealing, but deep down, I worry about making a bad choice that could affect me financially or emotionally.
Then the overthinking starts. What if I pick a lemon? What if my car ends up being a constant headache? At the time, I thought those were just irrational fears. Turns out, those fears were much more real than I could’ve imagined.
This is the story of my 2024 GMC Terrain, a car I was excited to own, but it didn’t exactly feel the same way about me.
The Clicking Sound That Won’t Go Away
I’m usually the type to expect things to go wrong, but I wasn’t prepared for the issues I’d face with this vehicle. It started when I barely hit 10,000 miles. One afternoon, I heard a soft clicking noise coming from behind the glove box. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but as the days passed, the sound grew louder and more persistent.
I took it to the GMC dealership, where after a couple of inspections, they found the problem—an actuator. They pulled it out, opened it up, and discovered a broken plastic gear. They ordered a new actuator and installed it, but the clicking didn’t stop.
Instead, the problem got worse. The actuator motor was now spinning past the blend door’s movement range, no matter how many times they repositioned it. What was once an occasional annoyance turned into a constant, relentless clicking. Every time I started the car, it felt like a tiny woodpecker was trapped inside my dashboard.
Automatic Locks Gone Wild
At this point, I still felt optimistic about the car. But this would turn out to be a minor issue compared to what was coming next. Shortly after the actuator trouble, the car started locking and unlocking itself for no reason at all.
I get that vehicles with automatic locks engage when you shift into drive, but my Terrain took it to a whole new level. Whenever I opened or closed the driver’s side door, the locks would go into a frenzy—lock, unlock, lock again. Even when using the key fob to unlock the car, the doors would immediately relock. It didn’t matter whether the car was on or off; the locks acted like they had a mind of their own.
It got to the point where I was terrified I would step out for just a second, and the car wouldn’t let me back in. And forget about accessing the trunk—I couldn’t even get it to stay unlocked long enough to open it.
AC Problems That Keep Getting Worse
If you think that’s bad, wait until I tell you about the air conditioning. It started last summer when I noticed a strange smell coming from the vents. It was a mix of body odor and vinegar, almost like there was expired salad dressing stored inside my dashboard. I thought it was just a one-off, maybe I had driven past something smelly, but the odor kept lingering.
I tried everything to get rid of it, even using an A/C deodorizer, but nothing worked. So, I took the car to the dealership, and they replaced the air filter, thinking that would solve the issue. Nope, the smell was still there.
And then, the A/C developed another issue: it worked fine when the car was in motion, blowing cold air as expected. But as soon as I came to a stop, it was like the A/C decided to take a break and started blowing hot air. If I was stuck at a red light, I had two choices: either sit there sweating like I was in a sauna or start moving and risk getting a ticket just to get some cool air.
On top of that, even when the temperature was set to the lowest setting, the A/C never felt truly cold.
The Road Ahead
As you can see, it’s been difficult to keep loving my Terrain. Between the constant clicking, the door lock problems, and the AC issues, I’m starting to wonder how I can get rid of this lemon. The question I’m really asking is: does my car qualify as a lemon under Illinois Lemon Law? And if it does, how do I file a claim?
James G.
Aurora, IL
Is Your 2024 GMC Terrain a Lemon? How Illinois Lemon Law May Provide Relief
Dear James,
I’m really sorry to hear about the frustrating experience you’ve been having with your 2024 GMC Terrain. It sounds like it’s been a constant string of issues, from the persistent clicking sound to the doors locking themselves and the malfunctioning A/C. I completely understand how overwhelming and disheartening it can be when your car just won’t cooperate, especially after making such a big investment.
Now, let’s take a closer look at your situation and see how Illinois Lemon Law might be able to help.
Does My Car Qualify as a Lemon Under Illinois Lemon Law?
From the problems you’ve described, it certainly sounds like your 2024 GMC Terrain might qualify as a lemon under Illinois law. According to Illinois Lemon Law, a vehicle can be considered a lemon if it has significant defects that impact its use, value, or safety, and these issues continue after several repair attempts.
In your case, the clicking sound caused by the faulty actuator, the door locking system malfunction, and the recurring A/C problems all point to major defects that have been ongoing despite multiple visits to the dealership. Illinois law gives you a chance to file a claim if your car has been in the shop for the same issue four or more times, or if it has been out of service for 30 or more days due to repairs.
If your Terrain has met those conditions, it could very well qualify as a lemon, and you have a strong case for a claim.
How Do I File a Claim?
The next step in the process is filing a Lemon Law claim. Typically, you’ll want to reach out to the manufacturer first, as they’re required to offer a resolution, either through a replacement vehicle or a refund. Be sure to gather all your records, including repair receipts, dates of service visits, and a detailed log of the issues you’ve faced. These documents will help you build a strong case.
It’s also a good idea to file your claim in writing to the manufacturer, stating the problems with your vehicle and requesting a resolution. If the manufacturer doesn’t respond appropriately, you can take the matter to arbitration or file a lawsuit.
Next Steps
I know how frustrating this situation must be, but you’ve already done the right thing by reaching out for help. The next step is to get in touch with an attorney who can evaluate your case and guide you through the process of filing a claim. If your Terrain truly qualifies as a lemon, you might be entitled to a refund or a replacement vehicle, which could bring you the peace of mind you’ve been looking for.
I’m confident that with the right legal guidance, you’ll be able to resolve this issue and move on to a better, more reliable vehicle. Don’t let these ongoing problems get the best of you—take action now to ensure that your rights are protected.
I hope this helps, James, and I wish you all the best in resolving your lemon car issue. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions, and take care of yourself and your car!
Warm regards,
Suzanne
Editor’s Note: The letter above has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.
Get Rid of Your 2024 GMC Terrain Lemon Car Headaches!
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 Illinois 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 Illinois Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- Top Defects That Make Your Car a Lemon in Illinois!
- Steps to File a Lemon Law Claim in Illinois
- Illinois Lemon Law: What Makes a Car a Lemon
Featured Images:
- 2024 GMC Terrain ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
