DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 118 – June 2023 | Unsafe
Dear Suzanne,
I’ve been dealing with so many issues with my 2020 Chevy Suburban since I bought it, and I just can’t take it anymore. That’s why I’m reaching out to you. What I thought would be a dependable vehicle and safe haven has turned into a source of frustration and anxiety due to its constant problems.
I bought the Suburban brand new, and now it has about 40,000 miles on it. I used to be really excited about this vehicle, but the ongoing issues have made me doubt its reliability.
The first problem happened when the car had just hit 15,000 miles. As I slowed down at a traffic light, the car suddenly lost power, shook violently, and then stalled. I managed to restart the engine, but the issue persisted, so I called a tow truck to take my car to the Chevy dealership for repairs.
Unfortunately, my car broke down at a busy intersection, causing a traffic jam and a lot of embarrassment for me. Thankfully, the tow truck arrived before things got even worse.
The dealership checked out the car, replaced some parts, and told me it was good to go. But to my dismay, the issue came back, leading to a third visit to the dealership. This time, they seemed dismissive and didn’t take my concerns seriously, which only added to my frustration and unease.
Now, I don’t have much confidence in my vehicle’s reliability. The constant fear of another breakdown has made me use the car only when I absolutely have to.
Before these problems started, I used the car for daily commuting and transporting my family. Now, we’ve had to rely on alternative transportation, which means extra costs. It doesn’t make sense to take public transport when I have a car that should be able to get us around. It makes owning a car feel pointless, doesn’t it?
Above all, I no longer feel safe driving my own car, which is really disheartening. I’m now faced with the tough decision of how to proceed. Considering the circumstances, I’m thinking about seeking legal advice and exploring my options to hold the automaker accountable for this defective vehicle. That way, I might be able to get compensation for the inconvenience, emotional distress, and potential dangers caused by these recurring defects.
In the meantime, I’m stuck trying to find alternative transportation solutions and searching for a reliable vehicle that can restore my sense of safety and confidence. If you have any advice for me, I’d really appreciate it.
Unsafe
Watch: Know Your Rights: Chevrolet Lemon Law Buyback Information You Need to Be Aware Of
Find The Answers To Your Case Within The Lemon Law
Dear Unsafe,
The thing about lemon law is that it’s usually best not to contact the manufacturer directly, since they’re a business and will likely prioritize their own interests. Instead, you might want to consider working with a lemon law attorney who can help you get the best possible outcome.
When you file a lemon claim through an attorney, you typically won’t be charged any attorney fees. In California, for example, the lawyer charges all costs to the manufacturers, so you get total access to the settlement amount. Your case is taken on a contingency basis.
To qualify for lemon law in California, your vehicle must have been to the dealership at least twice for the same issue or have had three or more visits for different issues. If either of these conditions is met, your car might be considered a lemon, and you could qualify for lemon law protection.
Vehicles produced by General Motors, like Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac, often have common issues with their engines and transmissions. The good news for you is that your car still has low mileage and is likely within the manufacturer’s warranty, which is important because lemon law only covers manufacturer’s warranties, not extended ones. The warranty for your vehicle is 3 years or 36,000 miles for basic coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.
With your car still under warranty, your attorney has some flexibility in terms of your options. However, it’s best to start the process as soon as possible while you’re still covered. This can help avoid any potential deductions or pushbacks from the manufacturer.
You generally have two options to choose from: a buyback or cash and keep.
With a buyback, the manufacturer buys the car back from you, paying you everything you’ve spent on the vehicle, including your down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and interest. They’ll also pay off any loan you took out for the car. The only deduction they can take is the mileage offset, which accounts for the period you drove the car without issues. However, your attorney might be able to negotiate a waiver or reduction of this amount. Find out more the Chevrolet Lemon Law Buyback settlement option here.
The second option, cash and keep, allows you to keep the vehicle while receiving cash compensation from the manufacturer for the issues you’ve experienced. If you later decide to sell the car, you won’t have to label it as a lemon for the next owner. The compensation amount varies depending on factors like the number of issues, their severity, and the time spent at the dealership for repairs.
In conclusion, lemon law might be your best bet for addressing the issues with your General Motors vehicle. Take your time to consider your options and reach out to a lemon law attorney if you have any questions or need assistance.
Suzanne
PS. If you think your vehicle sucks and want to actually do something about it, you definitely can! Find out quickly if you have a case by visiting www.yourvehiclesucks.com right now. This website is owned by our partner law firm Quill & Arrow LLP, California’s #1 “settled” Lemon Law attorneys.
Free Legal Advice About Your 2020 Chevrolet Suburban Lemon Law Claim
Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about California’s lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (323) 553-7525 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 California Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim in California, please write to help@lemonlawyers.org. 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 California Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Image:
- 2020 Chevrolet Suburban ©Noah Wulf (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)
