My 2019 Ford F-150 Is A Burden

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 47 – September 2022 | Burdened

Dear Suzanne, 

I am the owner of a 2019 Ford F-150 that I bought new, years ago. It had about 9 or 13 miles on it at the point of purchase. However, I made some aftermarket purchases. The vehicle has a current mileage of 34,000 and I have taken it to the Ford dealership for repairs about 3 times. Here is a breakdown of the times I took it in. 

STRANGE POPPING SOUND

The first time was due to an issue that made the truck release a pop sound anytime I brought it to a halt, either at a stop sign or maybe when I stopped at a gas station. It usually makes this sound when I take off after this short pause.

My theory was that it might be the driveline or something and so I took it in for the first time. They put some plastics on the leaf spring thinking that was where the problem originated, but the sound still persisted anytime I drove off from a stop.

IGNITION NOT WORKING

Sometime later, I had to take it in again because the ignition had issues; it was not working properly. It was also making a kind of noise. At this point, I began to wonder if I purchased a truck or a noisemaker because what the heck?! 

This time, however, the dealer kind of fixed the problem as they did something to it that made it work a little bit better. Although it didn’t go away completely, the noise was kind of reduced compared to how it was before. However, after 4 days, it deteriorated once more.

THREE REPAIR VISITS SO FAR

When the problem persisted, I took it in once again, but this time to a different adviser at the same dealership and it was there for like another two days but still no solution. So in summary, the truck spent a couple of days at the dealership during the first visit, a week for the second, and the third time was for about two days. 

Also, the first time I took it in, the truck was at 31,000 miles and the second time, it was at about 32,000 miles; that’s just an estimate. I still have the repair orders for every time that I took it to the dealer for repairs so I can confirm the mileage. 

Now, my question is what are the options available to me regarding my truck and California’s lemon law?

 
Burdened

Your 2019 Ford F-150 Is A Lemon

Dear Burdened,

With the issues you just described, your truck seems like a possible lemon case and so your attorney can proceed with a lawsuit. And since you said you have the repair orders for each repair that was done, that makes things easier. 

CHECK YOUR WARRANTY

Moreover, your truck is still within the manufacturer warranty which comes in two forms: the basic and the powertrain. The basic warranty is valid for 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty for transmission or engine issues is valid for 5 years or 60,000 miles. As such, you can take your vehicle in as many times as you want and you wouldn’t be required to pay a dime because you’re still covered by the warranty. 

REQUIRED REPAIR VISITS

Now, let me explain the working principle of lemon law cases. So lemon law works in a way that requires at least 2 visits to the dealership for the same faults or 3 to 4 repair orders for different issues within the warranty period. That said, it looks like you have a case since you’ve taken your vehicle for repairs about 3 times. And if you are considering the aftermarket parts you purchased, you could simply remove and keep them for your next vehicle.

THREE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

The thing with lemon law is that there are usually three outcomes, although the third is not so advisable. The first option is called cash and keep. Here, the manufacturing company provides you with cash compensation for all the issues you’ve experienced with the vehicle while you keep the vehicle. You also have to continue making the monthly payments. The cash compensation you will receive varies depending on the manufacturer from $5,000 to about $25,000. 

In the cash and keep offer, the only thing you have to do is sign a release form stating that you won’t file another lemon lawsuit against the manufacturer for that same vehicle. However, you could do that for other vehicles you have but not for that same vehicle. Also, accepting this offer doesn’t void the warranty nor does it make the car lose its resale value. 

The other option is the repurchase offer. This is where the manufacturer buys back the vehicle from you which means you return the vehicle while you also get paid. So basically, you get reimbursed for any down payment or monthly payments you have made. The manufacturer also pays back the remaining balance on the car to the dealer and if you also have loans, Uber fees, rental fees, and towing fees, you get refunded for that also. 

The only entitlement the manufacturer has to deduct is the mileage offset. This has to do with the number of miles the car was on during your first visit to the dealer. In other words, it means that you will be charged for the miles you used the car during which there were no problems. However, this can be waived in full or half depending on your lawyer. 

Find out more about the Ford Lemon Law buyback process, its mechanics, qualifications, covered models, reported issues, and your legal options.

The third and last option is the vehicle replacement offer which is not so advisable. Here, the automakers replace your car with another car of the same model with the same mileage and price range. This, however, is not so advisable because you may once again get stuck with another defective vehicle but the decision now is up to you. 

Furthermore, in California, lemon law cases are a win-win situation because you do not need to pay any legal or attorney bills. This is catered for by the automakers. Additionally, lemon law cases usually take between 3 to 7 months depending on the manufacturers and how fast they’re willing to settle. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact your law attorney.

 
Suzanne

Free Legal Advice About Your 2019 Ford F-150 Law Claim

Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about California’s lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (323) 553-7525 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 CA Lemon Law or how to file a claim in California, 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 CA Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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Featured Image:

• 2019 Ford F-150 ©Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)