Dealing with a car problem can be frustrating, especially when the dealership fails to address it despite repeated attempts. Understanding your rights and knowing how to navigate this situation is crucial. This guide will walk you through the steps to take when facing this issue.
Steps to Take When a Dealership Fails to Fix Your Car
💡Tip: Looking to skip the back and forth? A lemon law lawyer can handle many of the following steps for you.
1. Document the Issue
Start by documenting every interaction with the dealership. Keep records of repair orders, invoices, and any communication (emails, texts, or letters) related to the problem. This documentation will be crucial in demonstrating your attempts to resolve the issue.
2. Review Your Warranty
Check your vehicle’s warranty details. If the problem is covered under warranty, the dealership is obligated to fix it. Make sure you understand what repairs should be covered and for how long.
3. Request a Written Explanation
If the dealership refuses to fix your car or claims the issue isn’t covered, ask for a detailed, written explanation. This document should specify why they are denying the repair and cite any relevant warranty or policy terms.
4. Contact the Manufacturer
If the dealership is uncooperative, contact the car manufacturer’s customer service directly. Manufacturers often have procedures in place to assist customers when dealerships fail to fulfill their obligations.
5. Research Your State’s Lemon Law
Familiarize yourself with your state’s lemon law, which provides protection for consumers who purchase defective vehicles. If your car qualifies as a lemon under the law, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, a refund, or compensation.
6. Consult with a Lemon Law Attorney
If all attempts to resolve the issue fail, consider consulting with a lemon law attorney who handles consumer rights cases, like our team at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. We can provide legal advice and represent your interests to get you the compensation you deserve.
How To Know If You Have a Defective Vehicle
Some car issues indicate significant manufacturing defects. Vehicles with a recurring problem that substantially impairs their use, safety, or value often qualify as lemons. However, you’ll need to provide the manufacturer with a reasonable number of repair attempts before filing a claim.
If you’ve taken your car to the dealer multiple times to repair the same warrantied defect, your car probably qualifies as a lemon. Touch base with our team for a free case review to be sure.
How Our Lemon Law Attorneys Can Help
Navigating the legal system can be confusing and intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the process. Our lemon law lawyers serve as valuable advocates, holding manufacturers accountable for the faulty products they sell.
At Krohn & Moss, Ltd., our experienced lemon law lawyers will assess your repair history and warranty coverage. If your car meets the definition of a lemon, we will notify the manufacturer to demand that they honor their warranty obligations and provide you with appropriate compensation. Depending on your state’s laws, this process may involve arbitration, negotiation, or legal action to secure an appropriate resolution.
Our attorneys will manage all communication with the manufacturer to ensure the best possible outcome for you. If necessary, we’ll take your case to court and fight for your compensation. In most cases, the courts require manufacturers to pay our fees, not you.
After prevailing in more than 60,000 lemon law cases, we know how to get manufacturers to cooperate and pay for their mistakes. We make the process easy. Plus, we never charge a retainer fee, meaning we only get paid if you do. So, you have nothing to lose from reaching out for help today.
From Problems to Solutions: What You Can Do Now
If you’re confronted with a dealership that can’t or won’t fix your car, don’t give up. By following the steps outlined in this article you’ll be able to get the compensation you’re owed.
When you suspect your car is a lemon, take our free, 60-second Lemon Test or contact our team for a free case review. Let us help you fight for the compensation you deserve!