DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 193 – From Rebecca O. from Chandler, AZ
Dear Suzanne,
Sometimes, I wonder if there’s something supernatural about my 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Every time I think the problems are gone, something new appears. It usually starts innocently enough before transforming into something much worse.
I can’t lie, Suzanne. It’s been one hell of a ride, and not the good kind, which is why I need to get this off my chest. Let me walk you through the mess so you can see where I’m coming from.
Starting Off on the Wrong Foot (Infotainment Failure)
Some time ago, my parents and I decided to test a few new cars before buying any. Seeing the stylish and sporty 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, we decided against any test drive and simply went straight to the cashier to pay. We all thought, “No way a car this sleek needs a test drive to prove it’s great.” Well, it turns out this would be the first mistake.
Two days after driving off the Alfa Romeo dealership, I put the key in the ignition and immediately knew something was wrong. The dashboard lights came on, but the infotainment system was dead. There was nothing on the screen, not even a flicker. At first, I thought it was a glitch, so I restarted the car, but no luck.
Since it was just the infotainment system, I drove it like that, and the screen stayed dead the entire way. However, I noticed that the backup camera would activate when in reverse, but everything else remained dead.
When we returned it to the dealership, they seemed as confused as we were, and you know what? We couldn’t blame them. It’s one thing to have some minor technology issues, but it’s a big problem when the infotainment system in a brand-new car fails completely right off the bat.
Screaming and Shaky Seats
After the infotainment system drama, I decided to cut this car some slack and start fresh. Unfortunately I learned the hard way that not everyone (or everything) deserves the benefit of doubt.
Not long after the first incident, my mum wanted to take the car for a spin, so she asked me to help adjust the driver’s seat. I hopped in and began adjusting the power driver’s seat, but something horrifying happened as I pressed the button to move the seat up. A loud, screeching, grinding noise filled the cabin. It was honestly the most unpleasant sound I’ve ever heard coming from a car. I’m no mechanic, but it was pretty obvious that the power seat motor was busted.
But that wasn’t all. After enduring the power seat’s screeches, my mum drove the car to the nearest grocery store and back. By the time she returned, she had a shocking complaint: the seat kept shaking all through the drive. She said it got so bad that she had to hold on to the steering wheel for dear life to avoid falling off.
Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? I tried imagining it, but I just couldn’t. So, I hopped into the vehicle and drove around the block to see if I could replicate the issue, and oh boy! She wasn’t exaggerating. It got so bad that I imagined something as ridiculous as abandoning the driver’s seat completely and holding the wheel from the passenger seat. Honestly, it sounded like a better idea compared to the alternative.
Suzanne, imagine riding a horse that wasn’t interested in being ridden. You can picture how jittery they get. That’s exactly what driving on the shaky driver’s seat felt like.
Anyway, we called the dealership to have the vehicle towed to their shop. They did, and the car spent a couple of weeks there before they finally returned it.
Do the Problems Ever End?
After getting back the Stelvio, we thought we could finally get some peace, but nope. Peace is just another illusion when you have a vehicle like ours.
The next problem we had was that the car decided to not start at all. We followed the usual routine: I put the key in, and the lights came on, but when I turned it, there was no crank, and there was no sound either. The key just turns in the ignition, and that’s it. It doesn’t even make any clicks.
The first time this came up, the dealer said we should consider replacing the battery, as it could be the culprit. This didn’t sit right with me, considering it was still a relatively new vehicle with a presumably new battery. As such, I fought the idea, but my mum kept insisting we give them a chance, so I eventually gave in.
However, even after getting a new battery, the problem is still very much present. Now that we’ve ruled out the battery, we don’t know if it’s a loose cable, a starter problem, or even a software issue. Due to this issue, we’ve dumped the vehicle at the dealer’s shop until they find a proper solution.
Is the Lemon Law My Way Out?
Even if they find a solution, I’m not up for continuing with this vehicle. It’s a real shame because I wanted to represent the brand, but after all the frustrations and disappointment, I’m walking away, which brings me to my main question: What are the Lemon Law options that will allow me to get rid of this vehicle? If I proceed with the process, will I need an attorney’s help?
I am exhausted and I’ll take any information you have that might alleviate my burden.
Rebecca O. from Chandler, AZ
From Frustration to Resolution: Arizona Lemon Law for Your 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Dear Rebecca,
For an automobile brand that prides itself on luxury, Alfa Romeo fell short of the mark with your car. It’s understandable that you are exhausted from the endless stress when you should be enjoying the convenience of a luxury vehicle. While your experiences are beyond unacceptable, they do point to one fact: you have a lemon car.
Don’t worry, though, because the Arizona Lemon Law exists specifically for situations like yours. Let’s explore how this law can help you say goodbye to your Stelvio once and for all.
Getting to Know the Arizona Lemon Law
In Arizona, the Lemon Law protects you from vehicles with notable defects that impair their use, value, or safety. With this law, you qualify if the dealership has tried repairing your car at least four times without success within the first 2 years or 24,000 miles after purchase. Alternatively, if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 days or more due to repairs, you may be eligible to file a claim.
Considering everything you said, it sounds like your Stelvio ticks both boxes.
What You’ll Need for Your Claim and Your Potential Resolution Options
To proceed with your case, documentation is your best friend. You’ll need to gather repair invoices, communication logs, and receipts for related costs, such as towing or rental expenses. This paperwork will serve as the evidence you need to back your claim against the automaker.
Once they deem your case credible, you will have two main options of compensation to choose from:
The Buyback Offer
This option involves the manufacturer repurchasing your vehicle and repaying you for:
- Your down payment and monthly payments
- Taxes, registration fees, and other costs related to the purchase
- The balance of your loan if you financed the vehicle
However, note that the automaker has the right to subtract a mileage offset for the time you used the car before problems arose.
Cash and Keep
On the off chance that you are interested in keeping the Stelvio, Alfa may offer a cash settlement to compensate for your troubles. Your lawyer may advocate for additional compensation, such as reimbursement for emotional distress or time lost dealing with the issues. In this case, the car’s warranty remains intact, and you can sell it later without branding it as a lemon.
Should You Talk to a Lawyer?
Yes, you should. It’s not compulsory, but it’s recommended. You can file a claim on your own, but it’s best to hire a lawyer to present your case effectively. They will also help you negotiate and make sure you’re fairly compensated while handling any pushback from Alfa Romeo.
The great part is that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for any attorney fees. Thanks to the Arizona Lemon Law provision, your lawyer will take your case free of charge and request their fees from the manufacturer.
From all we’ve explained, you can see that the ball is now in your court. You can walk away from your defective vehicle and even still get compensated for everything you went through. All you need to do is gather the necessary paperwork that proves your claim, hire a Lemon Law attorney, and start the process.
Suzanne
Consult with a 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Lemon Law Attorney Today!
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:
- Arizona Lemon Law Eligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies For Protection?
- Your Complete Guide to Filing a Lemon Law Claim in Arizona
- Arizona Lemon Law: What You Need to Know
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