DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 120 – June 2023 | Tired Circus Artist
Dear Suzanne,
My 2020 Range Rover Evoque has been quite a headache, and I’m seriously considering going back to horses and carriages. I know that sounds extreme, but after dealing with all the issues this car has brought me, it’s starting to feel like a reasonable option.
I bought the car brand new from a Land Rover dealership in California, and it only has 22,000 miles on it. I originally leased it with the intention of purchasing it later, but now I’m not so sure. I even extended the lease by six months, thinking that it’s better to stick with what I know rather than risk getting another car with even more problems.
I’ve had to take the car to the dealership multiple times for various issues, which has affected my job as a circus animal custodian. I’ve missed out on several gigs that would have earned me a good amount of money because my car broke down.
The main issue with my Range Rover is the faulty fuel gauge. It first started acting up when the car had about 15,000 miles on it, showing that there was gas in the tank when there wasn’t. The dealership couldn’t replicate the problem and seemed dismissive of my concerns. Unfortunately, my fears came true when the car broke down in the middle of LA, causing me to miss a gig and lose money.
After that incident, the dealership replaced the fuel gauge, but now it doesn’t show the tank as completely full when I fill up. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s still annoying. Additionally, the infotainment screen started freezing up, so I had to take the car back again for them to reset the system software.
Aside from these issues, there are a few minor problems with the car. It sometimes shakes and delays when I accelerate, and it rolls back when I try to go uphill. The lane assist feature also doesn’t turn off properly, making it difficult to steer the car where I want it to go.
As you can see, my experience with this Range Rover has been a rollercoaster. I’m not familiar with the lemon law, so I’m wondering what you suggest I do in this situation?
Tired Circus Artist
Watch: Range Rover Lemon Law Buyback Explained: Everything You Should Know
You Are Not Alone In This – Lemon Law Is Here For You
Dear Circus Artist,
I can completely understand why you’re feeling frustrated with your vehicle and the ongoing issues you’ve been experiencing. It’s incredibly disheartening to deal with the same problems repeatedly, especially when the dealership doesn’t seem very helpful. That’s where the lemon law comes into play.
In California, the lemon law applies if your vehicle has been to the dealership for two or more issues related to the same problem or three visits for different issues, all while still under the manufacturer’s warranty. If your car meets these requirements, it’s considered a lemon and qualifies for lemon law protection.
It’s unfortunate that Range Rover vehicles, while visually appealing, can be plagued with common electrical issues, including problems with the infotainment system, engine, and transmission, as well as jerking and delayed acceleration.
The good news is that your car has low mileage and is still within the manufacturer’s warranty, giving you some flexibility in terms of what an attorney can do for you. Lemon law only covers the manufacturer warranty, so it’s crucial to act quickly to avoid further deductions from the automakers and to address the issue before your lease ends.
There are a couple of options for you under the lemon law: buyback/repurchase or cash and keep.
With the buyback/repurchase option, the automakers would buy the car back from you and reimburse you for all vehicle-related expenses, including your down payment, monthly payments, taxes, interest, and any additional costs like tow fees. However, the automakers have the right to deduct a certain amount from the settlement offer based on the mileage offset, which is their right to charge you for the period you drove the car without issues. Your attorney’s goal will be to recover as much money as possible for you and may even be able to negotiate a reduced mileage offset. Read more about the Range Rover Lemon Law Buyback settlement here.
The cash and keep option allows you to keep your car while receiving cash compensation from the automakers for the issues you’ve experienced. Your warranty remains valid, and you can still sell the car in the future without labeling it a lemon for the next owner.
As a California resident, you benefit from the state’s contingency-based lemon law cases, meaning you won’t be charged for legal fees, as the automaker is responsible for covering those costs. This ensures that the total amount won goes directly to you.
While your attorney works on your case, you can continue to take your car in for repairs. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Suzanne
PS. If you think your vehicle sucks and want to actually do something about it, you definitely can! Find out quickly if you have a case by visiting www.yourvehiclesucks.com right now. This website is owned by our partner law firm Quill & Arrow LLP, California’s #1 “settled” Lemon Law attorneys.
Free Legal Advice About Your 2020 Range Rover Evoque Lemon 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 California Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim in California, please write to help@lemonlawyers.org. 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 California Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
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- My 2019 Land Rover Causes Embarrassing Work Mishaps
- Understanding The Difference Between Land Rover Lemon Law Claims And Product Liability Claims
Featured Image:
- 2020 Range Rover Evoque ©Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)
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