Although the California lemon law was designed to protect consumers who discover unfixable defects with the new vehicle they have purchased or leased, many states have included provisions to protect used car consumers as well.

The defect still must impair the safety, value, or use of the vehicle, and a manufacturer approved repair facility must be given a reasonable number of repair attempts to qualify. This includes four (4) repair attempts for the same or similar problem or two (2) repair attempts for a defect likely to cause serious bodily harm. Continue reading

Approximately eight months after purchasing a 2011 Dodge Durango, a California resident found himself returning his vehicle to a Chrysler dealership for problems that would result in the check engine light remaining on. By January 2014, he had provided Chrysler seven (7) more opportunities to repair various problems which included a defective wiring harness, Power-Train Control Module (PCM), and O2 sensor. Continue reading

If you are the owner of a 2013 Dodge Dart and you think it could be a lemon, you are not alone. According to information on the NHTSA website, there are over 150 complaints against this vehicle. The top problems include the power train, engines, brakes, and an assortment of electrical issues. Owners say they have returned to their dealership several times for repairs, but the defects are still not fixed. Continue reading

Owners of certain Chrysler and Dodge minivans, Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Ram pickups, have filed complaints with the NHTSA over safety concerns caused by their vehicles’ Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM).

The TIPM consists of a computer, relays, and fuses that control and distribute power to the vehicles electrical systems. These include safety systems, security system, ignition, electrical power-train, airbags, fuel pump, windshield wipers, headlights, turn signals, and power windows and doors. Drivers report electrical problems which have resulted in unsafe driving conditions on numerous occasions. Continue reading

The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2012 Dodge Challenger who believed his vehicle could be a lemon. He bought his car in February, 2013 and started having problems almost immediately. These included defects with the braking system, an air bag light and check engine light that remains on, and a defective fuel sender.

After taking his Challenger to a Chrysler dealer for repairs on eight (8) separate occasions, with defects still remaining, he decided to contact us for advice. Following a short consultation with a lemon law attorney, he decided to retain the Law Offices of Delsack & Assoc., P.C. to represent him in his demand to have Chrysler repurchase the vehicle. Continue reading

Shortly after purchasing his new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, a California resident began experiencing transmission problems that would result in loss of engine power while operating under normal driving conditions. He had taken it in for repairs on three separate occasions for problems which included a defective transmission, torque converter, and transmission control module (TCM). The vehicle was also subject to Service Bulletin (NTB12-035) for problems with the TCM and the powertrain control module (PCM), as well as an NHTSA Investigation (DP12004) for transmission damage due to contamination by engine coolant. (According to the NHTSA website, the Office Of Defect Investigation (ODI) has received 512 consumer complaints regarding transmission problems in certain Nissan Pathfinders.) Continue reading

Owners of certain 2013 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles are questioning whether their vehicles are lemons after receiving repeated recall notices and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Nine notices have been issued within the past year for assorted problems involving fluid leaks, overheating engines, and potential engine fires. The most recent problem involves certain 2013-2014 Ford C-Max, Escape, and Fusion vehicles as well as certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. Continue reading