DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 225 – Clyde S. from Cleveland, OH
Dear Suzanne,
I thought I was making a smart choice when I bought my 2021 Ford Escape. It wasn’t brand new, but it fit my budget. As a college student working part-time four days a week, money is tight, and I needed something dependable to get me to work and school. Unfortunately, “dependable” is the last word I’d use to describe it now.
Instead, I ended up with a car that’s been nothing but stress and frustration. I bought it in November 2024, and since then, it’s been one problem after another. Let me explain.
The Repairs Started Almost Immediately
I bought the car used from an authorized Ford dealership that advertised on the radio because it was the only place that worked with my budget. Looking back, there was probably a reason the price seemed like such a good deal.
Within weeks, the water pump failed and had to be replaced. The car was in the shop for three days, and I was already feeling the inconvenience. Then, right after I got it back, the timing chain and belt needed replacing.
I went back to the dealership, but the mechanic didn’t have the proper timing tool for this model, so they couldn’t do the repair. I had to take it to another shop farther away. What should have been a routine fix turned into a two-week ordeal because my warranty company kept delaying authorization for the repair.
I told myself that once these major repairs were done, I’d be in the clear. Oh, how wrong I was.
The Bad Ignition Issue That Won’t Go Away
After the timing work was done, the real trouble began. When I started the car in cold weather, it shook violently like I was driving on a bumpy road. The RPMs would drop below 1000, and the engine made a chugging noise. Sometimes, I’d get a warning that said, “Auto Start/Stop Disabled. Please Manual Park and Restart.”
At first, this only happened while the car was in park, but soon, it started happening at stoplights too. Then, one day while I was driving on a busy road, I lost power to the wheels. I had to stomp on the gas pedal just to coast into a nearby parking lot—where the check engine light finally came on.
I had the car towed back to the shop that had done the timing work. They told me it was probably bad ignition coil packs. But instead of fixing the issue, they cleaned a few parts, reset the engine light, and sent me on my way.
Back to the Shop—Again
Of course, the problem came back. No surprise there. I took the car back to the same shop, but this time, they shrugged and said they didn’t know what was wrong. Funny, considering they had already suggested the ignition coils were the issue. At this point, I started to feel like they just didn’t want to deal with my car anymore.
Having no other choice, I took it to my regular dealership nearby. They replaced all four ignition coil packs, installed new spark plugs, and did a general tune-up. When the mechanic test-drove it, everything seemed fine.
But the second I got in and started the car, the RPMs dropped, it shook again, and the check engine light flickered back on.
I pulled right back into the shop. They ran a scan for error codes, but nothing serious showed up. So, once again, they cleared the warning and told me to bring the car back if it happened again.
When the Check Engine Light Becomes Your Co-Pilot
At this point, I’ve gotten used to seeing that yellow check engine light on my dashboard. Strangely enough, the car actually runs better when the light is on. If I restart it several times, the issue settles down for a bit, but it always comes back. Now, every trip feels like a gamble.
I went back to the dealership yet again. This time, the mechanic told me that since they still hadn’t pinpointed the main issue, I should just drive the car until it completely breaks down. That way, they’d have a better chance of diagnosing the problem before my warranty expires.
That sounds great in theory—except for the fact that I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road somewhere.
What Are My Options?
I bought a certified pre-owned vehicle, and this isn’t what I signed up for. I feel stuck. Do I keep bringing it back to the shop, wasting time and money on a problem no one can seem to fix? Or should I start the Lemon Law process now?
At this point, I feel like hiring an attorney and filing a claim might be the best route. But I’m worried about legal fees. Will I have to pay out of pocket to take legal action? What do you suggest, Suzanne?
Clyde S. from Cleveland, OH
A Certified Pre-Owned 2021 Ford Escape Shouldn’t Be This Unreliable
Dear Clyde,
I can only imagine how frustrating and stressful this has been for you. You bought your 2021 Ford Escape expecting it to be a reliable way to get to school and work, but instead, it’s been a constant source of trouble. Dealing with repair after repair, only for mechanics to send you home without a real fix, is beyond exhausting. You’re right to feel stuck, but the good news is that Ohio’s Lemon Law may offer a solution.
Is My 2021 Ford Escape Covered Under Ohio’s Lemon Law?
Ohio’s Lemon Law only applies to new vehicles, meaning a certified pre-owned car like yours would not qualify under the state’s Lemon Law protections. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You may still have a strong claim under federal warranty laws, such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or other legal protections.
What Exactly Are the Steps to File a Lemon Law Claim in Ohio?
If your vehicle qualifies under Ohio’s Lemon Law (which generally applies to new cars within the first 12 months or 18,000 miles), here’s how the process works:
- Track All Repairs – Keep a detailed record of every repair attempt, including dates, invoices, and explanations of the issue. Ohio’s law requires a reasonable number of repair attempts, which is typically:
- Three or more attempts for the same defect.
- One unsuccessful attempt if the defect is serious and could cause injury or death.
- 30 or more days out of service for any repairs (not necessarily consecutive).
- Send a Final Repair Notice – Before filing a claim, Ohio law requires that you notify the manufacturer in writing and give them a final opportunity to fix the car. This must be done via certified mail.
- Attempt Informal Dispute Resolution (If Required) – Some manufacturers require you to go through a Qualified Informal Dispute Resolution Mechanism before filing a lawsuit. However, if this process is unfair or biased, you are not required to accept the outcome.
- File a Lemon Law Claim – If the manufacturer fails to fix your car after a reasonable number of attempts, you can file a claim to seek a replacement vehicle or a refund. You may also be entitled to compensation for incidental costs (like towing or rental cars).
- Hire an Attorney If Needed – If the manufacturer refuses to cooperate or denies your claim, a lemon law attorney can take legal action on your behalf. The best part? If you win, the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees, not you.
Since your Escape is a certified pre-owned vehicle, it likely does not qualify under Ohio’s Lemon Law, but you may still have a strong case under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which follows a similar process but applies to used cars under warranty.
Can I Still Take Legal Action Even If It’s Not a New Car?
Yes! Even though your car doesn’t qualify under Ohio’s Lemon Law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers like you. If your vehicle is still under warranty and the dealer or manufacturer can’t fix a major defect after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash compensation.
In fact, many lemon law claims for used cars are resolved under this federal law rather than state laws. The best part? If you win, the manufacturer has to pay your attorney’s fees, so you won’t have to worry about paying out of pocket.
What Should I Do Next?
Since your Escape’s issues haven’t been properly diagnosed or repaired, your next step should be consulting with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney. An experienced lawyer can review your warranty, assess your repair history, and determine the best legal route—whether through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or another applicable law. This can help you avoid wasting more time and money on endless repairs.
Final Thoughts
I know this situation has been nothing but frustration for you, but you don’t have to keep dealing with it alone. There are legal protections in place to help people in your position, and you may be entitled to a much better outcome than just “waiting for your car to break down.” Taking the next step and speaking with an attorney could be the key to finally resolving this nightmare. I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation and get the process started—because you deserve a car that works, not one that keeps letting you down.
Suzanne
2021 Ford Escape Lemon Car? We’ve Got You Covered!
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 Ohio 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 Ohio Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
Related Articles:
- Ohio’s Lemon Law: The Step-by-Step Guide Every Car Owner Needs
- Lemon Law in Ohio: Are You Eligible for a Refund or Replacement?
- The Ultimate Guide to Ohio Lemon Law: Your Rights Explained
Featured Images:
- 2021 Ford Escape ©Mr.choppers (CC BY 3.0 DEED License)
