The Chrysler Lemon Law Buyback Process Explained in Detail

 
Few experiences are as stress-inducing and exasperating as grappling with a vehicle that consistently malfunctions. After enduring months of unrelenting problems that the auto manufacturer appears to be unable to resolve, you are now searching for a resolution to this ordeal.

We understand your frustration. If you are a resident of California and burdened with a faulty Chrysler, the California Lemon Law may hold the solution to your car problems. In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information to initiate your Lemon Law claim.

We will discuss the Chrysler Lemon Law buyback settlement, outlining how it works, and how to get the auto manufacturer to buy back your defective vehicle. Furthermore, we will explore the common vehicle issues documented in Chrysler Lemon Law cases and specify the eligible models covered by this legislation. Lastly, we will walk you through the process of filing a claim and give you the scoop on securing the services of a reliable Lemon Law attorney at no cost to you.

What is the Chrysler Lemon Law Buyback Option?

The California Lemon Law, formally referred to as the California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, offers consumers a recourse known as a buyback or repurchase. This remedy aims to compensate individuals who have purchased or leased a defective Chrysler for the expenses they have incurred.

Essentially, the Chrysler Lemon Law buyback settlement option happens when the Chrysler or its parent company, FCA US, LLC, agrees to repurchase the vehicle from the customer and provides a settlement amount that includes:

• The full amount you paid for the vehicle.
• All sales tax and financing charges paid.
• Car registration fees.
• Monthly payments you already made.
• Any outstanding balance on car loan.
• All repair-related expenses.
• Towing and alternative transportation costs.
• Civil penalties, if applicable.
• Legal fees and court filing costs.

When pursuing a claim, there is a possibility of obtaining a buyback settlement outcome by way of:

• Negotiations with the auto manufacturer.
• Winning a favorable court decision.
• Entering into arbitration proceedings with the company.

In the subsequent sections, we will explore how this process works and the criteria that your Chrysler vehicle must meet in order to qualify for compensation.

How Does The Chrysler Buyback Program Work?

The Chrysler buyback program provides a repurchase or buyback arrangement to compensate customers who have purchased a defective vehicle from the car manufacturer. This program covers both newly purchased or leased vehicles and used Chrysler vehicles, as long as the defects were identified and repairs were made during the original warranty period.

How do I get Chrysler to buy back my vehicle?

To be eligible for compensation under this program, your Chrysler must meet specific criteria, which we will discuss in the following section, and you must file a Lemon Law claim.

Two things to remember when filing a claim:

The defects or issues should have a significant impact on the vehicle’s use, functionality, safety, and resale value.

Furthermore, Chrysler must have been aware of these defects, had the opportunity to repair them, and failed to do so after multiple attempts. Please refer to the required number of repair visits (listed in the subsequent section) necessary to meet the legal requirements.

Is a Chrysler buyback the same as a trade-in arrangement?

No. A lemon buyback is distinct from a car trade-in. A car trade-in occurs when you exchange your old vehicle, considering its current market value (which is typically depreciated), for a discount toward buying a new vehicle. However, in a lemon law buyback, the manufacturer takes back your car and reimburses you the full amount you paid for it, along with other associated expenses, as outlined in the previous section.

In the upcoming section, we will provide comprehensive information on how your Chrysler can qualify as a lemon and become eligible for compensation.

Is Your Chrysler Vehicle Eligible for a Lemon Law Buyback?

For a defective Chrysler vehicle to qualify for compensation under the California Lemon Law, it must meet specific criteria, as follows:

• The car has been brought back to the dealership for repairs at least twice for a major safety defect.
• The car has been brought back to the dealership at least four times for a non-safety issue.
• The vehicle has been kept at the dealership for repairs for a total of more than 30 days (cumulative) for any combination of defects.

If any of these conditions are met within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the car is automatically presumed to be a lemon under the Legal Presumption of Lemon Law.

However, what if the car problems occur after the initial 18 months or 18,000 miles?

If the defects or issues arise outside of this timeframe, your Chrysler may still be eligible for Lemon Law compensation if the ongoing problems originated within the vehicle’s warranty period. Chrysler’s Powertrain Limited Warranty extends to 5 years or 60,000 miles, and they also offer extended warranty coverage which can be purchased separately. Please refer to the FCA US LLC Warranty Information page for further details.

Frequent Defects Found in Chrysler Vehicles

While Chrysler vehicle models may have specific defects, there are certain common issues that can be found across multiple models. Many Lemon Law claims against Chrysler vehicles and other FCA brands (Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, RAM) are related to these issues. Here are a few examples:

• Transmission slipping.
• Engine making a loud clacking noise.
• Engine failure.
• Power steering leaks.
• Complete electrical shutdown.
• Loud clunking noise from transmission.
• Engine shuts off while driving.
• Transmission does not shift properly.
• Unresponsive gas pedal.
• Excessive oil consumption.

These listed defects are not the only criteria for determining if your Chrysler qualifies as a lemon. You may be experiencing a different problem with your Chrysler. Again, the thing to remember is that any consistent or recurring defect or issue that significantly affects the functionality, safety, or value of the vehicle can be grounds for filing a complaint.

Chrysler Models That Qualify for Lemon Law Protection

The Chrysler vehicle models covered by the Lemon Law in California include:

 
If you are a California resident and own a defective Chrysler model listed above that is still within the original manufacturer’s warranty, you may be eligible for compensation.

Our team specializes in assisting owners file their Lemon Law claims for Chrysler vehicles from the following model years:

• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

As you can see, we are quite specific about these model years due to the statute of limitations in California. Earlier Chrysler models may no longer be eligible for Lemon Law compensation. If you own a lemon Chrysler, we recommend filing a claim for compensation as early as possible to avoid any disqualification based on this technicality.

Your Chrysler Buyback Process Guide

The Chrysler buyback process under California’s Lemon Law typically involves the following steps:

Determining If You Have A Case

The first step is to determine if you have a viable case. Most lemon lawyers in California offer a free initial consultation, which you should take advantage of to have your case evaluated by a legal professional.

Hiring a Lawyer

Once it’s determined that you have a strong case, the next step is to hire a skilled Lemon Law attorney. Regardless of the method you pursue to win a settlement, having a competent lawyer by your side significantly increases your chances of success.

Meeting Repair Requirements

If the number of repair visits falls short of the requirement, your attorney may advise you to return your vehicle to the Chrysler dealership for additional repairs to ensure that you meet the necessary qualifications for pursuing your Lemon Law claim.

Submitting Evidence

Proper documentation of all your repair visits is critical and includes repair orders and invoices issued by the Chrysler dealership each time you take your vehicle for repairs.Other documents, such as warranty papers, etc. may also be necessary to substantiate your case.

Filing Your Claim

After gathering all the necessary documentary evidence, your attorney will start the process of filing a lawsuit. Once the case is officially filed, Chrysler will be required to adhere to a strict timeline when responding to your compensation claim.

Direct Negotiations

The fact is, pursuing a Lemon Law claim in California without substantial supporting evidence is unlikely. Manufacturers are aware of this and would rather negotiate a settlement agreement to avoid a costly and lengthy legal battle they could potentially lose.

Case Litigation

However, if the settlement offer proposed by Chrysler is not satisfactory, your attorney may recommend proceeding to trial. The goal is to obtain a more favorable settlement proposal and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your defective Chrysler.

Alternative Chrysler Lemon Law Settlement Options

Apart from the Chrysler Buyback settlement, there are other options available for the auto manufacturer to compensate you for your defective vehicle. The two main alternatives are Vehicle Replacement and Cash and Keep Settlement.

Vehicle Replacement

Instead of a buyback, Chrysler may propose to replace the problematic vehicle with a similar make and model that is free from any defects or issues covered by the Lemon Law. By agreeing to such an offer, you can receive a fully functional vehicle without the persistent problems you have encountered.

Cash and Keep Settlement

In another scenario, Chrysler may offer a cash settlement that allows you to keep the defective vehicle. This negotiated amount aims to compensate for the diminished value of the vehicle due to its ongoing issues. With this option, you have the flexibility to retain the vehicle while also receiving financial compensation for its defects.

Obviously, the available settlement options can differ based on the specific circumstances of your case and ongoing negotiations with Chrysler-FCA US, LLC. You should seek the guidance of a Lemon Law attorney who can help you assess the available settlement offers and pursue the most advantageous resolution for your case.

Chrysler Lemon Law Buyback: The Ideal Outcome

The best possible outcome you can expect in a claim for compensation is the Chrysler Lemon Law buyback.

With this arrangement, if your vehicle meets the criteria, Chrysler buys back the defective vehicle from you and provides full compensation for the amount you initially paid for it.

Notwithstanding some deductions, such as a mileage offset, obtaining the buyback settlement guarantees that you not only recover the entire purchase amount of the vehicle, but you will also be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred for repairs, towing, and other related costs.

All factors considered, the Chrysler Lemon Law Buyback settlement is undoubtedly the most favorable resolution for a Lemon Law claim involving a defective Chrysler in California.

 
Watch VIDEO: Get Advice From a Chrysler Lemon Law Attorney at No Cost

Consult With a Chrysler Lemon Law Lawyer Today

The next step is simple. Set up a free consultation with a reputable Chrysler Lemon Law attorney today and find out immediately if you have a strong case.

If you are a resident of California and own a defective Chrysler with persistent issues covered by the warranty, and the attempts made by the auto manufacturer to resolve these issues have been unsuccessful, you may qualify for compensation.

During the consultation, your attorney will skillfully evaluate the strength of your case, provide personalized legal guidance, and expertly guide you through the claims process.

Here’s the best part – if you do have a strong case and you decide to retain the services of the Lemon Law lawyer, you won’t have any financial burden for these services. That’s right! You can have a top-tier attorney by your side without any out-of-pocket expenses.

In California, Lemon Law attorneys operate on a “no win, no fee” basis. This means that their attorney fees are covered by the manufacturer (Chrysler or FCA US, LLC) as part of the settlement, and they only receive payment if they successfully handle your case!

This is your opportunity to resolve this issue once and for all. It’s time to take action and secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. Remember, the law is on your side, and you shouldn’t have to be stuck with a lemon!

ABOUT CHRYSLER – FCA US, LLC

Chrysler Corporation, originally established in 1925 by Walter Chrysler, has since become FCA US, LLC, operating as Stellantis North America, a subsidiary of the multinational automotive company Stellantis. Stellantis North America markets vehicles globally under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram auto brands. The company, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is one of the prominent “Detroit Three” automobile manufacturers in the United States.

In 2017, FCA became embroiled in an emissions testing controversy when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused the company of utilizing emissions cheating software to evade diesel-emissions tests. This revelation resulted in a decline in FCA’s stock price at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2019, FCA reached a settlement with federal regulators, agreeing to recall and repair approximately 100,000 vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine, pay $311 million in civil penalties, and provide indemnification to affected car owners, amounting to up to $280 million.

Chrysler has established a strong reputation among American automobile manufacturers for its emphasis on luxury sedans and minivans, drawing customers with its style and reliability. However, consumers have unfortunately encountered certain issues within the warranty period, such as engine stalling, malfunctioning Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and aluminum valve stem corrosion.