DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 226 – Matt A. from Cincinnati, OH
Dear Suzanne,
I’ve always heard horror stories about used car buyers dealing with recurring defects. That’s why I made sure to buy a brand-new vehicle—a 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT—thinking I was making a smart investment. I believed I had landed my dream car, but I quickly learned that reality had other plans.
Now, every drive fills me with anxiety. If you think I’m exaggerating, buckle up—because this has been one rough ride.
Immediate Problems Right After Purchase
I barely had time to enjoy my new car before things started going wrong. About a month or two after buying it, I took it to the Lexus dealership for a routine oil change. Everything seemed fine at first. Feeling good about keeping up with maintenance, I took a short drive and parked at a park for a few hours. But as I started my drive home, the problems began.
While climbing a small hill after filling up the gas tank, the car stalled at a red light. The steering wheel locked up, and while the engine might have still been on, it was hard to tell over the traffic noise. I turned the car off and back on, hoping it was a random glitch, but it barely moved a few feet before stalling again. This time, there was a grinding noise, the battery light flashed, and the check engine light came on.
Thankfully, some kind strangers helped me push the car into a parking lot. After sitting for 15 minutes, it magically came back to life. I drove it home without further issues, but I knew something wasn’t right.
The next day, I called the dealership, wondering if something had gone wrong during the oil change. They ran computer diagnostics but found nothing. One of the service advisors suggested it could be an alternator issue, but that didn’t explain everything that had happened.
That afternoon, I went for a slow test drive, hoping whatever had possessed my car was gone for good. It ran fine for about 30 minutes, but that night, I started hearing a high-pitched whistling/buzzing noise coming from the back. To make things even weirder, my dashboard lights started flashing when I turned the headlights on.
At this point, I was convinced my car was either haunted or just determined to ruin my life.
Battery Failures and Mysterious Fixes
A few months later, the battery joined the list of problems. At first, it occasionally wouldn’t start, but a quick jump would bring it back to life. Then, it started happening every single time.
Frustrated, I took the car back to the dealership. They ran some tests and found a dead cell in the battery. They replaced it, and for about three weeks, my car started perfectly. Then, one morning, it betrayed me again.
This time, it wouldn’t start at all. No engine turnover—just a single click, then nothing. The battery screen showed 12-13V, so I had no clue what was going on. Was it the starter? The alternator? Faulty wiring?
Back to the dealership I went. They didn’t give me any solid answers, but they performed a software reset, and—just like that—the issue disappeared. When I asked what had caused the problem, even the mechanic had no clear explanation.
Starting Problems and Mysterious Transmission Issues
Even after the dealership “fixed” the issue, more problems started popping up. I began noticing that my Lexus had trouble starting after long drives. If I drove for about an hour or more, then turned it off, it would fail to start on the first attempt. After waiting a few seconds and trying again, it would finally start. This happened three or four times, always when the engine was warm—never when it was cold.
Then, in the middle of winter, I experienced something even worse. While driving around in freezing temperatures, my transmission started shifting hard at around 35-45 mph. The kind of jolt that throws you forward into your seatbelt. The check engine light flashed on, but by the time I got home and restarted the car, it had disappeared.
I parked the car in my garage, too nervous to drive it and make things worse. A few days later, I took it out for another drive, and it seemed fine. But as I was backing into a parking space, I heard a loud grinding noise when I turned the wheel. It was awful—the more I turned, the worse it got. Then, as I continued driving, I noticed that when I made slow left turns (0-20 mph), I would hear a cracking sound from the rear. It sounded like something was under extreme pressure, as if the car was trying to tear itself apart from the inside.
The Final Blow: A Dead Engine
Before I could even wrap my head around the steering issues, my car suffered its worst failure yet—the engine completely blew up.
No low oil warning, no check engine light, not even a leak to hint at what was coming. One moment, I had a running engine. The next, I had a $60,000 paperweight.
At this point, I gave up and left the car at the dealership. It’s currently with the mechanics, who are frantically searching for a solution to its never-ending list of issues.
Do I Have a Lemon Law Case?
With everything that’s happened, I need to know—do I qualify for compensation under Ohio’s Lemon Law? Does my situation meet the requirements to file a claim? And if so, what kind of compensation could I receive?
I would really appreciate any guidance you can provide.
Sincerely,
Matt A. from Cincinnati, OH
Your 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT’s Never-Ending Problems Sound Like a Lemon Law Case
Dear Matt,
I can only imagine how frustrating this entire experience has been for you. You bought a brand-new 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT expecting reliability, but instead, you’ve been dealing with stalling, battery failures, electrical issues, transmission problems, and now, a completely blown engine. That’s not just bad luck—that’s a serious problem. I completely understand why you’re at your wit’s end, and I’m here to help you figure out if Ohio’s Lemon Law can get you the justice you deserve.
Before we get into the details, let’s go over what Ohio’s Lemon Law covers and whether you qualify for compensation.
Do You Qualify for a Lemon Law Claim in Ohio?
Under Ohio’s Lemon Law, your vehicle may be considered a lemon if:
- The defect substantially impairs the use, safety, or value of the car.
- The issue started within the first 12 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first).
- The manufacturer or dealership failed to fix the problem after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Based on your letter, it sounds like your Lexus has been in the shop multiple times for serious issues that affect its reliability and safety. If all of these problems started within the 12-month/18,000-mile window, then you may have a strong Lemon Law case.
What Type of Compensation Could You Receive?
If your car qualifies under Ohio’s Lemon Law, you have the right to demand one of the following:
- A full refund, including taxes, fees, and finance charges.
- A replacement vehicle of the same make and model (if that’s what you prefer).
Since your engine blew up and you’ve already lost trust in this car, a full refund may be your best option. But that’s something you can discuss further with a Lemon Law attorney.
What’s the Next Step?
To move forward, your best bet is to consult with an experienced Lemon Law attorney as soon as possible. They can review your repair records, confirm whether you meet the legal requirements, and handle the claim for you. Since Ohio law allows you to recover attorney’s fees from the manufacturer, you won’t have to pay anything upfront for legal help.
Final Thoughts – You Don’t Have to Fight This Alone
Matt, I know this has been an exhausting and disappointing journey, but you don’t have to fight this battle on your own. Ohio’s Lemon Law exists to protect car buyers like you from being stuck with a defective vehicle. You’ve done everything right—taking your car in for repairs, documenting the issues, and now, reaching out for help. The next step is to take action and get the compensation you deserve.
I strongly recommend you speak with a Lemon Law attorney today to get started. The sooner you act, the sooner you can put this nightmare behind you.
Suzanne
Immediate Help for Your 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Lemon Car!
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:
- 2024 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
