DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 117 – June 2023 | Embarrassed
Dear Suzanne,
I’m not sure if I own a car or a washing machine, given the way my car shakes. I have a 2022 Jeep Sahara 4×4 with 14,000 miles on it. When I first leased it, the car was brand new, and this Jeep was meant to be my pride and joy. But that’s far from my reality now.
I’ve taken my car to the Jeep dealership two or three times to address the shaking issue, but they can’t seem to find anything wrong. As a result, I’ve had to keep driving it despite the shaking.
This problem has been a source of embarrassment for me multiple times, as my friends make fun of it. Sometimes I can brush it off, but other times it really gets to me.
What’s more annoying is that the first time the issue came up, it happened in front of my friends. After bragging about how nice my car was, it made me look ridiculous. We went on a mini beach vacation, and I agreed to drive since they all wanted to see what the fuss was about. But suddenly, the car began to shake violently, making it difficult to keep it on the road.
It was pretty scary, but I eventually regained control, and the shaking subsided a bit. However, it continued on and off until we reached our destination. When we got there, my friends had a good laugh at my expense.
After a great time at the beach, we headed home, and the car started shaking again. My friends laughed hysterically, and this time, I joined in. Since then, they’ve referred to my Jeep as a washing machine. I went straight to the dealership to report the issue after dropping them off.
The dealership said they fixed it, but the shaking started again shortly after I drove off. This happened when the car had about 4,000 to 5,000 miles on it.
The second visit occurred around 9,000 miles, and the problem was the same. I tried to endure it, but I couldn’t deal with it anymore. They couldn’t duplicate the issue, so they returned my car in the same condition.
Last Thursday, I took the car in again for repairs. This time, they said they would backorder a replacement part, but I have to wait for it to arrive before getting my car back. In the meantime, I’m looking into other options, including the lemon law. Can you tell me more about it?
Embarrassed
Your Jeep Seems To Be A Lemon
Dear Embarrassed,
I can understand how upsetting it is to be the subject of jokes, and I empathize with your situation. It’s concerning that the dealership hasn’t been able to pinpoint the issue with your car. Since they’ve ordered a replacement part, it seems like you might have a lemon car on your hands.
To qualify for lemon law protection, you usually need to have taken your vehicle for repairs at least twice for the same issue while under the manufacturer’s warranty. Alternatively, you need at least three repairs done for different issues within the warranty period. If your car has been at the dealership for a month or more due to an issue, you may also qualify. It sounds like you might have a strong case under the lemon law.
Your case is even stronger since your manufacturer’s warranty is still valid. The powertrain warranty lasts for 5 years or 60,000 miles and covers repairs related to engine and transmission issues. The basic warranty expires after 3 years or 36,000 miles and covers everything bumper-to-bumper, including power steering, brakes, and electrical systems.
It’s important to start your case as soon as possible to ensure the manufacturer has little to push back on. Under the lemon law, you have a few options to choose from:
- Repurchase offer: If you want to get rid of the car, the manufacturer can buy it back from you and reimburse you for your down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and interest. If you had a loan on the vehicle, the automaker would have to pay back the finance company, which could help improve your credit score. The manufacturer may be entitled to a mileage offset, charging you for the period you drove the car without issues. However, your attorney may be able to negotiate a waiver or reduction of this charge.
- Cash and keep: If you still like the car and want to keep it, you can receive compensation while retaining ownership of the vehicle. Your warranty will remain valid, and you can sell the car in the future without having to disclose it as a lemon.
- Replacement offer: This option allows you to trade in your car for another one with the same mileage, market value, and model. However, there’s a risk of getting another defective vehicle, so this option may not be ideal.
One advantage of California’s lemon law is that it strongly benefits consumers. The law requires that all lemon law cases be taken on contingency, meaning you won’t have to pay any legal fees during the lawsuit. Instead, the automaker will be responsible for paying the law firm, and you’ll receive 100% of the settlement.
If you need clarification on any of these points, don’t hesitate to contact your lawyer for more information.
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 2022 Jeep Sahara 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 Lawyer to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Image:
- 2022 Jeep Sahara ©Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)
