DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 192 – From Theo M. from Scottsdale, AZ.
Dear Suzanne,
Let me start by saying to anyone who’s ever felt stuck in an endless loop of car problems, you are not alone. We are in this together, and my journey with this vehicle has been anything but smooth. A blown tire on the highway was just the start. Next came a series of unexpected repairs that never seemed to fix my car troubles.
It got even worse when the Infiniti dealership had to keep my vehicle for months on end. As you’d expect, this only made my frustration grow. Let me walk you through my experience. Hopefully you’ll have some insight you can offer that I haven’t already tried.
Before going any further, I own a 2023 Infiniti Q50 that I purchased brand new with zero miles on it.
The Blowout That Started It All and Led to a Suspension Mystery
A few weeks after buying my Infiniti, I was driving on the highway when one of my tires blew out. It was sudden and terrifying, but I managed to keep calm and pull over safely. After driving about 100 yards on the flat tire, it was shredded, so I put on the spare with the help of Roadside Assistance. Then I went to my dealership to report the issue, where I got the tire replaced.
After installing the new tire, though, I noticed something strange as I drove away. The ride was unusually bumpy, so I immediately turned around and went back to the shop.
The mechanic inspected the car and told me the air suspension was busted. They said they tried inflating it, but it wouldn’t hold air. They recommended that I replace both rear struts, which, fortunately, would not cost me, but even with that I was a little suspicious, because this was a new vehicle. I didn’t notice any issues while driving on the spare tire, so when did the faulty rear struts spring up?
I needed answers, so I asked the mechanic, and they explained it in a way that didn’t make much sense. According to them, the spare sits lower than regular tires, which might have masked the problem. This didn’t sound right, and I believed they probably damaged the suspension while replacing the tire.
Anyway, I waited a couple of days for the replacement before getting my car back.
Slow and Painful Ignition Crank
The universe decided the previous issue wasn’t enough, so they sent another my way. Not long after the tire incident, I noticed that sometimes when I tried to start the car, it would crank slowly, stall, or lose power altogether. Other times, it would fade gradually before starting or dying completely.
Strangely, it would drive perfectly fine once I got the engine to run. However, getting it started was the main issue. I first thought cleaning the positive battery cable connections would work, but nope. At some point, I even began jiggling the battery cables, and that worked for a while, until it didn’t.
Why didn’t I take it to the dealer? Oh, but I did, and they recommended the “hack” I just mentioned. Then, when it no longer worked, they decided it would be best to get new spark plugs and replace the starter.
The Suspension Mystery Continues
In August, I took my car to the dealership to fix a navigation issue. While there, I received shocking news: “Something seems off with the suspension, and we’ll need to check it out. It shouldn’t take more than three days, and we’ll have your car fixed and ready.”
Well, guess what? I had to wait three months before I got my car back. They said some complications caused them to keep it longer than expected, including waiting for parts that never arrived. Sadly, they didn’t even have any loaner car for me to drive, so I had to rely on public transit.
Bad Steering Issues
After I got it back, I soon started having problems with the steering. At low speeds or when starting from a dead stop, the steering wheel would be almost impossible to turn, but it would loosen up on the highway. I also noticed a faint whining noise from the engine whenever I turned the wheel far enough.
I reported it to the dealership and they replaced the power steering fluid, thinking it would make a difference, but it didn’t. Then one day, I got into my car and saw a warning: “Power Steering Assist Failure.” The steering suddenly felt like a workout, and my power steering seemed to have stopped working. With no other option, I drove the car home as slow as I could.
The next day, I took it back to the dealership, and you wouldn’t believe it, but the steering worked perfectly fine. However, I persisted, and they suggested completely replacing the entire system, even though it would take a month. Considering my last experience with their replacement timeline, I wasn’t super excited about this, but it was either this or bracing myself for what might go wrong the next each time I started my vehicle.
Is Lemon Law My Only Hope?
When I felt like I had exhausted my options, someone told me about the Lemon Law. I’m worried about how long the process might take to resolve. Are you familiar with it, and can you explain my options? Is there anything else I can do in the meantime? I just need answers.
Theo M. from Scottsdale, AZ.
Hope on the Horizon: Arizona Lemon Law Assistance for Your 2023 Infiniti Q50
Dear Theo,
I know you may not be in the mood to hear this, but I feel your frustration, and you’re not alone. Dealing with ongoing car troubles can make anyone feel stuck and helpless, especially when the dealership isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. The good news is the Arizona Lemon Law might be the key to resolving your situation, which we will now look into.
Understanding Arizona Lemon Law and What Makes a Vehicle a Lemon?
In Arizona, the Lemon Law protects buyers from defective vehicles that dealerships cannot repair. If your Infiniti Q50 has been in the shop multiple times for major issues, you may already have a valid claim. You may also be eligible for compensation if it’s been out of service for a prolonged period.
Under Arizona’s Lemon Law, a vehicle qualifies as a lemon if it has notable defects that impair its use, value, or safety. The manufacturer must have tried fixing the issue without success after a reasonable number of attempts. Based on what you’ve described and the number of times you’ve been at the repair shop, the law may be on your side.
Breaking Down Your Legal Options
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, here are some of the options available to you:
Buyback Offer
The manufacturer buys back your car, reimbursing you for the down payment and monthly payments. You will also receive a refund of the taxes, registration fees, and interest you paid. In addition, if you’re still making payments on the vehicle, the manufacturer will settle the loan with the bank.
Cash-and-Keep Settlement
This option allows you to keep the vehicle while the manufacturer compensates you for your trouble. The car’s warranty remains valid, and if you later sell the car, you don’t need to disclose it as a lemon. Your lawyer and manufacturer will determine the exact settlement amount based on factors like:
- The number of repair attempts
- Time spent in the shop
- The severity of the defects
Why a Lemon Lawyer is Crucial
Pursuing a lemon law claim can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. A lemon lawyer specializes in navigating these kinds of cases, ensuring that manufacturers don’t take advantage of their consumers. The best part is the manufacturer usually covers your legal fees, meaning you have no financial risk when hiring an attorney.
Now, while you consider your next steps, remember:
- Keep records of all repairs, invoices, and communication with the dealership.
- Lawyers specializing in Lemon Law can evaluate your case for free and help you navigate the process.
- You could qualify for either a buyback or cash-and-keep settlement, depending on your case.
As for how long the process might take, the timeline varies. Lemon Law cases are usually resolved within 3-6 months, but your attorney can sometimes speed up the process.
So keep your head up, Theo. The Arizona Lemon Law exists to protect consumers like you, and with the right legal help, you’ll have a resolution to your car troubles in no time.
Suzanne
Find Out if Your 2023 Infiniti Q50 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 Arizona 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 Arizona Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- 2022 Infiniti QX60 Is A Navigational Nightmare
- My 2022 Infiniti QX55 Keeps Locking Me In
- Your Complete Guide to Filing a Lemon Law Claim in Arizona
Featured Images:
- 2023 Infiniti Q50 ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
