Jersey City Car Owner Battles Dealership Over 2023 Honda CR-V Issues

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 219 – Scott M. from Jersey City, NJ

Dear Suzanne,

I don’t know how much more of this I can take. When I bought my 2023 Honda CR-V, I thought I was getting the perfect balance of comfort and performance. Instead, I’ve ended up with a frustrating mess. The engine surges when I accelerate, the infotainment system crashes constantly, and no matter how many times I take it to the Honda dealership, they refuse to fix the issues.

To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I feel like I was sold a car that wasn’t ready for the road. Every time I bring it in for repairs, they either dismiss my concerns as “normal” or claim they’ve fixed the problem—only for it to happen again. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone back, and I’m getting to the point where I don’t even want to drive this car anymore.

Engine Surging and Poor Acceleration

The first issue I noticed was with acceleration. When I press the gas, the car suddenly surges forward, almost like I’m being pushed into the backseat. Other times, it hesitates and struggles to pick up speed, making merging onto highways feel unsafe.

I took it to the dealership, and they ran diagnostics, but they didn’t find anything wrong. They told me it was just the turbo engine adjusting to driving conditions and assured me it would stop. Spoiler alert: It didn’t. The surging and acceleration issues have continued, and I don’t feel safe behind the wheel.

Infotainment System Keeps Crashing

Next came the infotainment system problems, and honestly, this might be the most frustrating issue of all. From day one, the screen freezes, navigation won’t load, and sometimes the system shuts off completely—even in the middle of a phone call.

I’ve tried everything—restarting the system, updating the software, and even disconnecting the battery—but nothing works. The dealership claims they’ve updated the system each time I bring it in, but as soon as I leave, the problem starts again. It feels like I’m driving a beta version of this car, and the technology just isn’t keeping up.

The Dealership Won’t Take Me Seriously

I’ve taken my car in four times now, and every visit ends the same way—with excuses, temporary fixes, or no fix at all. They keep telling me things like “It’s normal,” “We fixed it,” or “It’s just a software glitch.” But clearly, these aren’t just glitches.

I’ve been patient, but this car feels dangerous to drive, and I’m starting to lose confidence in it entirely. It seems like every time I get behind the wheel, a new problem appears, and I don’t know what else to do.

Can I File a Lemon Law Claim for This?

So here’s my question: Does my 2023 Honda CR-V qualify under New Jersey’s Lemon Law? I’ve had multiple engine surging issues, poor acceleration, and infotainment crashes, and despite four repair attempts, nothing has been permanently fixed.

The dealership keeps failing to resolve the problems, and at this point, I feel like I’m just throwing time and money away. I need an honest answer: Is this car a lemon, or am I stuck with a vehicle that’s going to keep giving me trouble? If it is a lemon, what are my options? Can I get a refund?

Looking forward to your advice,
Scott M.
Jersey City, NJ

Editor’s Note: This letter has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.

Surging Engine, Failing Infotainment—Your 2023 Honda CR-V Has a Case

Hey Scott,

I completely understand how frustrating this must be for you. You bought a brand-new 2023 Honda CR-V, expecting reliability and great performance, but instead, you’ve been dealing with dangerous engine surges, acceleration issues, and a failing infotainment system. To make things worse, despite four trips to the dealership, they keep giving you excuses instead of real solutions. No one should have to go through this with a car that’s supposed to be road-ready. I want to help you figure out whether your CR-V qualifies under New Jersey’s Lemon Law and what your options are.

Based on what you’ve shared, it sounds like you might have a strong case for a Lemon Law claim. Let’s go through your questions step by step so you know exactly where you stand.

Does My 2023 Honda CR-V Qualify for New Jersey’s Lemon Law?

New Jersey’s New Car Lemon Law (N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 to 56:12-49) covers vehicles that have a serious defect that affects their use, value, or safety and have not been properly repaired despite a reasonable number of attempts. Your CR-V meets the basic eligibility requirements because:

•  It is less than two years old and under 24,000 miles (both are required for new cars).
• You have taken it in for four repair attempts for serious safety-related issues (the law requires at least three failed repairs OR one failed repair for a major safety issue OR 20+ days out of service).
• The engine surging and infotainment crashes impact safety and functionality, which the law considers a valid defect.

Since your dealership has failed to fix these problems despite multiple visits, you may qualify for a refund, replacement vehicle, or compensation under New Jersey’s Lemon Law.

What Are My Options If My Car Qualifies?

If your CR-V is ruled a lemon, you could be entitled to:

• A full refund, including the purchase price, taxes, and registration fees (minus a small mileage deduction).
• A replacement vehicle that is comparable to your CR-V.
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, including rental cars, towing, and repairs you’ve had to cover.

New Jersey law also requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney’s fees if you win your case. This means you won’t have to worry about the cost of hiring legal help to fight for your rights.

Am I Stuck with This Car if It’s Not a Lemon?

Even if your car doesn’t meet the technical Lemon Law criteria, you may still have legal options. If Honda or the dealership engaged in deceptive practices, you might have a case under New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act or federal warranty laws. A Lemon Law attorney can review your case and determine the best course of action.

The Next Step: Speak to a Lemon Law Attorney

At this point, I strongly recommend that you consult with a New Jersey Lemon Law attorney as soon as possible. They will review your case, handle negotiations with Honda, and, if needed, file a legal claim on your behalf. The best part? If you win, Honda covers your legal fees—not you.

Final Thoughts

I know this has been incredibly frustrating, but you are not out of options. New Jersey’s Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers like you from being stuck with unsafe or defective vehicles. If your dealership won’t help, the law can force them—or the manufacturer—to take responsibility.

The longer you wait, the harder it can be to prove your case, so I encourage you to take action now. Speak with a Lemon Law attorney and finally get the resolution you deserve. You don’t have to keep fighting this alone.

Best of luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more help along the way. You’ve got this!

Suzanne

Say Goodbye to Your 2023 Honda CR-V Lemon Car Troubles!

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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

Related Articles:

• Transmission and Battery Problems Plague My 2020 Honda CR-V
• New Jersey’s Lemon Law: Could Your Car Qualify for a Refund?
• Lemon Cars in New Jersey: How to Get a Refund, Replacement, or More

Featured Images:

• 2023 Honda CR-V ©Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)