My 2021 Jeep Wrangler Turned into a Fireball on the Freeway

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 101 – March 2023 | Fireball Owner

Dear Suzanne,

I’ve got a wild story to share with you, and trust me, it’s 100% real. But first, let me tell you about my car. I’ve got a 2021 Jeep Wrangler with about 23,000 miles on it. I bought it brand new from a Jeep dealership in California, and it doesn’t have any aftermarket parts.

Now, about the problems I’ve had with my Jeep. I’ve taken it to the dealership twice for repairs because of engine oil leaks. The first time, when it had 10,000 miles on it, oil was gushing out of the engine. I called the dealership to tow my car, but they took too long, so I drove it there myself. They replaced the faulty part and said it wouldn’t happen again. Spoiler alert: it did.

One day, I was driving on the freeway when people started waving and pointing at my car. I didn’t know what was going on, so I kept driving. Then I noticed a faint smell of smoke. It got stronger, and I got worried, so I pulled over. That’s when I saw it: the underside of my car was on fire! I panicked and didn’t know what to do. Luckily, a kind stranger stopped, grabbed his extinguisher, and put out the fire. He even called a cab for me and waited until it arrived.

I had my car towed to the dealership, and they said the fire was caused by another engine oil leak. They told me if I hadn’t stopped, it could’ve ended really badly. That’s when I decided I needed to get rid of this car ASAP. They replaced the faulty part again, but I can’t keep driving a car that might catch on fire.

So, here’s the thing – I don’t know much about lemon law, but people have suggested I look into it. Can you help me out?

Fireball Owner

Your Vehicle Is Evidently Defective

Dear Fireball Owner, 

I’m really sorry to hear about your scary experience with your Jeep – that must have been terrifying! It’s totally understandable that you’d want to do something about this dangerous car.

California’s lemon law might be able to help you out here. If your vehicle has been to the dealership at least twice for the same issue or three or more times for different issues, it might be considered a lemon. Thankfully, it seems like you’re still under warranty, so it’s probable that  you could be eligible for lemon law protection.

There are a couple of options for you to consider. The first is a buyback offer, where the automaker would buy your car back and pay you everything you’ve paid for it so far, including down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and any interest. If you took out a loan, the finance company would be paid back in full too, so your credit won’t be affected. The only thing that might be deducted is called the mileage offset, which is basically what you’d be charged for the miles you drove the car without any issues.

The second option is called “cash and keep.” This means you’d get cash compensation for the problems you’ve experienced with your car, but you’d still keep it. Your warranty would remain valid, and you’d be free to sell the car later on without labeling it a lemon.

Keep in mind that while your attorney works on your case, you can still take your car to the dealership for any issues that come up. The more visits you have, the stronger your case becomes. Just make sure you get proper documentation of any repairs and that you’re not charged for them since you’re still under warranty.

The good news is that California is a consumer-friendly state, so your attorney will likely take your case on a contingency basis. This means you won’t be billed for any legal fees, win or lose. In California, the automaker is responsible for paying the lawyer fees, and you’ll receive 100% of the settlement.

Stay strong, and good luck!

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 2021 Jeep Wrangler 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 CA 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 CA Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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• Dealership: 2021 Jeep Wrangler Issues Are All Driver’s Imagination
• Only Adventures 2022 Jeep Wrangler Owner Goes On Are Constant Trips To The Shop

Featured Image:

• 2021 Jeep Wrangler ©M 93 (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE License)