Non-Stop Transmission Issues For New 2019 Jeep Wrangler

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 62 – November 2022 | Barbara from Berkeley

Took My 2019 Jeep Wrangler to The Shop Four Times And It’s Still Not Fixed

Dear Suzanne,

My 2019 Jeep Wrangler that I purchased brand new from a dealership in California is very problematic and I have nothing but complaints about it. It has a current mileage of 45,000. I have taken it to the Jeep dealership a total of 4 times for the same issue and that just shows how defective it is. 

On my very first visit to the dealer, the mileage was between 35,000 to 36,000 (I’m not sure) and it was regarding troubles with the transmission. The problem was that the car would jolt whenever I switched gears. Also, I experienced delays several times while accelerating from a stop. 

I took my car to the dealership and they diagnosed the problem saying it was the valve body. They then replaced the valve body and returned the car to me, but the same problem persisted. 

The second visit came up shortly after the first and was concerning the same issue. I took it once again to the dealership and upon doing that, they said everything was fine and that nothing was wrong with the valve body. However, I was driving the car daily and knew the problems I was facing so I was quite sure that the issue had not been resolved.  

The third visit was also for the same issue and once again, I took my vehicle to the dealer. This time, they simply returned the vehicle without carrying out a proper check. It felt like they thought I was simply looking for excuses to keep bringing my vehicle to the dealership. 

Now, on the last visit, they finally decided to replace the transmission to see if maybe that’s where the problem lies. However, I’m still experiencing some shaking even after then. At this point, I’m perplexed as to what exactly could be wrong with the transmission. 

My dad is a registered co-owner of this car and he is okay with moving forward with lemon law. I am not familiar with the way lemon law works exactly, but I know I want to get rid of my car if possible.

Barbara from Berkeley

Your Jeep May Qualify As A Lemon

Dear Barbara,

The way lemon law works is that if your vehicle has been to the dealership twice for the same issues, then it is considered a lemon and thus, qualifies for a Jeep Lemon Law claim. This is because to qualify, you need at least two repair orders for the same issues or three for different problems all within the warranty period. Also, since even after replacing the transmission, the issue still persists, it means you have a very potentially good case. 

Not only that, you are still within your warranty period and as a result, you can keep taking your car to the dealership for repairs. This is because the more visits you have, the stronger the case, the higher the value, and the more money you have in your pocket. 

Now, since you are still within your warranty, there is a little bit of wiggle room concerning what your attorney can do for you. But it is best to begin the legal process as soon as possible to avoid any further pushback from the manufacturers. 

There are two options from which you can pick. The first is the buyback which means that the manufacturers will repurchase the vehicle from you and you will be paid all that you have spent on the car. The settlement amount involves your down payment, monthly payments, and taxes and interest are included as well. Also, if you took out a loan on the vehicle, the manufacturer has to pay that back as well and on the plus side, your credit goes up. 

The only thing the manufacturers have a right to deduct is the mileage offset. This simply means that they have the right to charge you for the period you drove the car without any issues. It is usually based on your mileage during the first visit which you mentioned was around 35,000 to 36,000 miles. At this mileage, there isn’t much they can deduct but your lawyer can get them to waive this either in full or half seeing as they sold you a defective vehicle in the first place. 

The second option is the cash and keep which is just cash compensation for the issues you’ve been experiencing with your vehicle. With this option, you get to keep the vehicle and your warranty remains valid. If you also, later on, decide to sell your car you can do so without deeming it a lemon to the next owner. 

Furthermore, the good thing about purchasing your car in California is that it is a very customer-friendly state and so, your lemon law case is taken on contingency. This means that you will not be charged anything and you do not need to pay any legal fees. This is because all lemon law cases in California are paid for by the manufacturing company in question. As a result, all of the settlement amount gotten will be going over to you. 

Once your lawyer begins the case, it usually takes about 3 to 7 months to get everything settled. During this period, you can still keep driving your car just like before and you can take it for further repairs as long as you receive the proper documentation for each new visit.

Suzanne

Free Legal Advice About Your 2019 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 California Lemon Law 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 Lawyer to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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Featured Image:

• 2019 Jeep Wrangler ©Tristan Surtel (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)