defective vehicle

A 77-year-old woman in Natick, MA, is suing a car dealership in Framingham for allegedly selling her a defective vehicle that she didn’t want, according to an article in The Metrowest Daily News. The woman claims that she received a postcard notifying her she had won a prize, and went to the Direct Auto Mall to see what she had won. Once she gathered her small prize, and was about to leave, however, she was approached by a salesman offering her a deal on a vehicle, a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. The lawsuit states that even though she repeatedly told the gentleman that she could not afford the car, but was targeted because of her age.

The woman took the car to a mechanic who told her that the vehicle had extensive flood damage and the airbags were not functional due to rust, mud, and dirt under the console. The cost of vehicle repairs was estimated at $1,900. After notifying the dealership, the mechanics offered to repair the car.

The lawsuit also alleges that the dealership repeatedly delayed sending the woman the vehicle’s registration, which prevented her from returning the car under the Massachusetts lemon law. The woman is suing for three times the amount of damages, which includes the $13,450 vehicle sale price and the loss of her old car. She is also alleging fraud and breach of contract.

If you have purchased a vehicle that has been into the repair shop multiple times for the same problem, or your vehicle has a defect that negatively impacts the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, you may have a lemon. Howard D. Silver is a California lemon law attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and answer any questions you may have. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Silver, call 1-866-49-LEMON to discuss your California lemon law case.

Dealing with problems that require repeated repairs can be a great burden to a car owner. Not only can it result in substantial financial costs, but also inconvenient trips to the mechanic. What most consumers aren’t aware of is that these underlying problems can be the result of manufacturer errors, and thus the responsibility of the car companies to fix.

Upon discovery of a problem that won’t go away, car companies have a few options for how to proceed. A recent Fraud-News.com story mentions that companies will most commonly issue a product recall or extend warranty coverage for the problems. However, defective vehicle recalls and extended warranties may not be well publicized, and consumers may be unaware that they are entitled to these benefits.

If you suspect that a recurrent problem with your vehicle is related to a product defect, contact the car manufacturer and request its Product Service Publication index. If your problem is listed on the index, request the related technical service bulletin to determine whether the company covers your vehicle’s repairs. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Center for Auto Safety, which also keep records of safety-related automobile recalls.

Manufacturers have a duty to ensure that all of their products meet a certain quality standard before being put on the consumer market. If you have recently purchased a vehicle with recurring issues, you may be entitled to compensation for repairs, a replacement vehicle, or your money back. Call lemon law California attorney Howard D. Silver for a free consultation about your case: 866-49-LEMON.