What to do if you have a lemon: Step by step

[andrew d b]

I have received several requests for the information on what I did about my SVTF that was having an inordinate amount of problems. Here it is:

Step 1: Go to your dealer. Ask for the Dispute Settlement Board (DSB) pamphlet. Fill out the last page. If you have more complaints than you have room, like I did, you should be in like Flynn. The paperwork didn’t even make it to the DSB before they were offering to buy it back.

Step 2: Photocopy all of your service records. Note repetitive repairs (i.e. horn dying, catalytic converter shield coming off, etc) and count all the days that it has been out of commission. Once again, more is better. I had 45 days of down time on submission of my package, and going on 60 days right now (have had problems since the submission).

Step 3: Mail the entire package (mine was in a huge post office envelope) and get the post office to tell you how much it is so you don’t get it returned for some reason. It should include the photocopies of the problem sheets and DSB paper.

Step 4: Wait. You should get a notice of reception of package, with your case number and point of contact, and if you are really lucky, you will get a FedExed package containing Ford’s offer for reconciliation without use of the DSB board. The maximum reward is, of course, getting your money back, with a replacement vehicle being an option, and a couple of others I didn’t pay attention to because they weren’t worth it in my opinion.

You pay for the mileage up until you brought the car in the first time. My first official time was at 700 miles; my lemon lawyer (who I didn’t even need) said that if they charge me more than 50 bucks to call him back. This is very fortunate for me, because I have almost 26000 miles on the car already.

Another issue is modifications. I have springs, short shifter, tint, motor mounts, tornado, clear corners, all of which add up to about 600 bucks. My point of contact at Ford told me to fax her the receipts (thank God I saved most if not all of them) and the money I spent will be returned; I don’t know if it is a 100% return though. Remind me and I will let you know.

I have had a blast driving this car over the last year. The only issue that I had with it was that it was not available to be driven for about two months out of that year. If I was to get a replacement vehicle, I most likely would get another one, or possibly another Mustang GT (I never had a problem with my ’98 GT). However, the insurance rating for the SVTF went up to 20 (Mustang GT is 22) and the insurance company is trying to rape me for a car payment and a half a month. In addition, I may be buying a house in Tucson sometime in the near future, and I hate dumping money into anything… maybe it’s time to invest in something that appreciates as opposed to depreciates.

Hope I was of assistance.

Andrew

[Thameth]

Thank you Andrew! We all truly have to thank you for posting this info. Of course yours and some of us others have extreme cases where we will probably get a quick settlement but this is a great start for other people.

Thats why i made this a sticky. Some people might want to print this post out and stick it in their car's file just incase you need it one day.

[Drew]

thanks for the valueable information.

[pitchblackzx3]

I have springs, short shifter, tint, motor mounts, tornado, clear corners, all of which add up to about 600 bucks.

You bought a Tornado?!?! ...did it work?

BTW on topic, my '00 ZTS was bought back by my dealer. It had so many problems, I refused to take it back and drive it again. I talked to the Sales Manager, told him I felt unsafe in it, and he took care of it. I ended up leaving the next day in a brand new '01 ZX3

[andrew d b]

originally posted by pitchblackzx3:
You bought a Tornado?!?! ...did it work?

Keep laughing. I didn't count it as a mod, but it was the only thing I had done to my car when it ran the 15.3. Interpret that however you want.

Andrew

[UltegraSTI]

oh geez not that thing again...lemon laws due vary from state to state though...

...our canadian friends might have their own take on what they need to do.

-Ult

[orangezx3]

In michigan you can not lemon law a car if it is over a year old......HERE IS A GREAT RESOUCE FOR LEMON LAW INFO... lemon laws by state

[silversvtfocus]

hope it worked out for ya

[Greatdork!]

OK I have some questions. Im not sure if any of you can answer them but I'm gonna put them out here just in case.
I will give you my two problems so far. I bought the car in July of 2003 it had 13500 miles on it its a 2000 zx3. First problem was I had to get my key ignition assembly replaced because my wheel locked, second was my engine blowing( I blew a rod through the oil pan to be exact) I am curious are either of these problems something I should be concerned about under the Lemon Law??

[BlackZX321]

Ok here is my lemon...

I have a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3
I bought the car with 32,000 miles on it
First time the tranny went out at 34,000 miles, took it to my local Ford dealer to get it fixed... told me that since I wasn't the original owner, they couldn't warranty it but if I paid them 90 dollars they could give me an estimate on how much money to fix it... I said screw that and decided to fix it myself. It ended up being a sheared 3 dollar bolt in the shift tower. At the time I also installed my centerforece and torsen. I was happy. 800 miles later I develop a 3rd gear syncro scratch... pulled tranny again and fixed it. Put the tranny back together and I still had a scratch... Drove with it like that until the cars tranny went out again at 42,000. This time I replaced just about everything on the entire input shaft, but was unable to source the parts through Ford. I contacted Walter at Marcy Motorsports and was able to tell me more in 10 minutes then any of the 7 different dealers could in a week... Meanwhile I kept calling Fords Customer Sevice hotline and told them about parts for my car being unavailable, (they updated a 3pc blocker ring to a 1 piece blocker ring that would work with the 3rd gear on early 2000s. but the problem is they didn't update the third gear. Anyways they said that they couldn't help me (Hence why I insist everyone I know to NEVER buy a Ford again) They told me that the dealer BSed me and that all of my transmission trouble should have been covered by the dealer at 34,000 on the clock. the car has been down for about 100 days at least (it is broke more than it works) Anyways I get the car together and take it for a drive and a piece in the shift breaks. Ok get it home and get the shift tower out of there, and I broke a piece that moves the shifter forks. No big deal take the tranny out and remove the broken piece put it back together. (not bad, got my removal times down to under an hour Ive done it so much) go up to the dealer the next day to order the broken part... Parts manager up there looks up the part, tells me I need to buy the entire shift tower assembly and that it is in stock at a dealer 25 miles away. (no big deal) So I drive out and look at the piece (it is 200 dollars for the tower when all I need is a piece) It is the wrong part (again) Go back to the dealer the next day and the guy tells me I need a different shift tower that costs 600 something dollars... Right... I go home and braised the broken part together... went up to another dealership... Oh you can buy that part... it is 24 bucks or something like that... but they don't have it in stock... Next day I go up to my local dealership to order the part... 37 dollars. Ok fine ill pay it but just get it here. So I finnaly get it in and got the car running. The car drives fine for about another 1500 miles and I get an underhood fire (yay ) It completely melted a ground wire and killed my stock stereo. Ok I get a call back from a manager at Ford Customer Service Line apologizing that they had made an error in dealing with me and they would file a report with ford. I get a letter in the mail from Ford offering 0% financing on a 2004 Expedition... RIGHT... C'mon do you really think you are going to treat me like crap and then expect me to buy yet another car from you? My parents took my vow to never buy a Ford again. (my parents have bought 16 Fords over the last 20 or so years) My mom planned on buying a new Expedition this summer (not going to happen... EVAR) we had always bought Fords (never again) My dad had never owned a non-Ford car (only non-fords from now on). It isn't so much the breakign that pisses me off. I can fix it. No problem. It pisses me off that they discontinued the Ford Tech line and that if you have any problem with your car you need to pay the dealership 100 dollars an hour to fix it? Part of the reason we always bought Fords was because Ford parts are very reasonable in price. But when the part I needed was unavaiable, there was a problem, I was willing to work with them, I told customer service my local dealership was unwilling to help me, to my suprise they told me "there is nothing we can do to help you". That is the killer. FORD I am talking to you, bring back the tech line and you MIGHT bring back a customer. There really is no reason I should have had all of these problems with the car. I personally don't want to EVER buy a car from a company that is unwilling to stand behind its products. I hope somebody at Ford reads this. I don't have any service records, but I do have over 800 dollars of bill in parts just in the transmission (not aftermarket but 800 dollars in replacing broken parts) The dealer should have fixed this while it was under warranty and should have guaranteed the trannsmission. However the dealer Lied to me. I could have a hell of a lawsuit against the dealership, but I don't believe in that. I wish Ford would make it right, but by sending me letters telling me of offers to buy a new Ford, it just makes me less mad. I would be happy if they reimbursed just hte money I spend on replacement parts (800 dollars) I also learned that my fire was a result of a saftey recall that my car was serviced for... Actually I just want Ford to take this car from me... I really don't want it... If you give me a different 2000 focus with comparable milage I would be happy. If you offered to buy the car for a reasonable price, I would be happy, If you gave me a new Focus, I would be happy. But right now I have a severe hate for Ford. I already have stopped a person who was thinking about buying an escape to rethink their decision and they instead got a Toyota... My mom was going to buy a 2004 expedition but now she is looking at a new Tahoe instead... I mean my family was a very very big supporter of Ford because we had always had a good experience, but when we get a bad experience, the dealer and fords customer service have been able to turn a bad experience into a nightmare.

Oh and your car was down for 2 months? My car is literally broke more than it is running. I would say at least 4 months of broken time out of a year and 2 months 28% of the time I have owned the car, it has been broken Also I was very polite and nice to everyone I talked to although I felt like screaming at them. It was very hard. Also my cars ignition is broken and a lot of nickel and dime stuff like that

[Nells]

Is the lemon law something different than the Dispute Settlement Board?
I have been having so many problems with my Focus lately, I was talking to my husband tonight about trying something like this. It may be the little things, but in this past month it has been in the shop at LEAST once a week, sometimes twice, sometimes for more than one day.

[mattymx]

I have a 2003 Expedition that has a problem with the front-right side door that rattles to no end. It has been in about 4-5 times for just that along with a few other problems. It is at the dealer as I type. I want to look into getting rid of it. I love that truck, but that noise is really bad and we use it to take long trips. I wonder if I can get it lemoned.

[Nells]

probably not. Generaly it has to be started within 1 year of the date of purchase. You should check into the specific lemon laws of your state though.

[mattymx]

It statred about 2 months after we bought it. I will check though on the laws in Ca.

[Nells]

It might be possible since it started right after you bought it. Do a google search though and you'll be able to find out more information!
Or- you could read through the links on this site (I haven't read them- but it looks like it might help)
http://autopedia.com/html/LemonLaw/CA_lemonlaw.html

[ejcortes]

Does anybody knows anything about the Lemon Law in Puerto Rico?

[Nells]

Consumer Affair's Guide to Lemon Laws Consumer Affair's State Lemon Laws
Well, in the first link it states that Puerto Rico IS covered under the National "Lemon Law" but it is not listed in the state specific laws. Your best bet is probably to call a lawyer to find out.

[AnthonyD]

It's really too bad we don't have a lemon law here in Canada.

I would have qualified for a new car easily.
Take not fellas... if you're ever thinking of moving to Canada for some gawd awful reason.... buy your cars in the U.S. first. Once you drive the car off of the lot here in Canada.... you're on your own!

[BananaBoat]

Mahalo Nui (that's "thanks a lot" in Hawaiian) for that info - I printed out the Hawaii Lemon Law already but this really helps with the process - I bought a 2005 ZX5 (bright yellow!) last October - almost immediately noticed a "rubbing" sound which increased when I let off the gas. UNFORTUNATELY I waited until 1st service at 4 mo. to address it - just thought it was, perhaps, a brake adjustment. Lo and behold, the left front AXEL had to be replaced!!! When I picked up the car yesterday and started home - there it is still yet!!! Now it seems to be coming from the RIGHT side! I am NOT a happy camper! In addition a relatively minor,but annoying, situation exists with the "passive security system" - When I bought the car it would automatically lock itself after about 40 seconds after it was parked. About 2 1/2-3 months, a light started flashing on the dash and it would no longer self lock. The service guys tell me there's nothing wrong because it isn't "equipped" with such a system - My quandry is WHY then did it do it for 2 1/2-3 months? If ANYONE has had either of these problems, please share your experience!!
My other quandry is that I LOVE this car - it fits me like a glove! Thanks again - Banana Boat Lover

[thejokermco]

i had a 03 ford focus and at 20k miles the cat plugged up and ford wanted to charge me 1,000$ to replace the *in warr* cat and had to replace the disk and drum brakes at 15k milesand about 6 months ago my frt sway bar fell off every time i hade to pay for the repairs thats why i got rid of my focus i loved it alot but there was more cons than pros for the car

[vtbenny]

I posted this in the Newbie thread, but I will post here as well... I think i have an 05' lemon/POS!!! Any advice would be great!!!
http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/showf...&PHPSESSID=

[andrew d b]

i had a 03 ford focus and at 20k miles the cat plugged up and ford wanted to charge me 1,000$ to replace the *in warr* cat and had to replace the disk and drum brakes at 15k milesand about 6 months ago my frt sway bar fell off every time i hade to pay for the repairs thats why i got rid of my focus i loved it alot but there was more cons than pros for the car

I would cause so much hell at the dealership that Satan himself would look up and say, "ooh, that guy's good".

The dealership tried to lie their way out of the free rental for SVT owners.... once. I caused so much hate and discontent that every time that I brought my car back (and there were many times for that) they had a car waiting.

Andrew

[J-Rod]

Thanks for making this post andrew.

I'm beginning the process of getting all my info together to present to the DSB for my 04 F-150. I've had it in for 10 items since Feb of this year and it's in there for a recurring issue as we speak.

I wasn't even the one who thought of this... it was my sales lady because she felt horrible everytime I called her for my free loaner.

Everyone else I know that has a F-150 doesn't have any issues... I just want a freakin truck that works. Otherwise it's Mustang time

[rrubio]

well man i am in the same boat had my car for a month engine is shot knocks hard time screwed just shot i have warranty but there is a big misunderstanding that there is warranty from one person there is another person saying that i dont have any warranty i dont know it just all sucks

[viatech]

Hello guys. I've had my Focus ZTS for a long time, and have hated it through 90% of that. I bought the car used from Enterprise car rentals with 8,xxx miles on it for $13,000. It now has 66,XXX on it.

Within two days the rear window controls started shorting out. I ignored them for about a week and then they permanently stopped working from the front. It is not covered under the warranty. I also noticed that the wiper fluid reservoir was leaking at some point and was holding a minimal amount of fluid. About 5,000 miles later My front brakes were destroyed for the first time. Huge gashes on the front left rotor, just like in all of the pictures on fordfocusbrakeproblems.com. Since then I've replaced them 3 more times, and the rear brakes twice. I've had my MAF die, and my EGR was stuck on open until replaced. My factory header had a DENT in it. My valve cover gasket was blown and needed replaced. I've replaced my AA Engine Speed sensor assembly. I've replaced my thermostat twice, thermostat housing once, gasket twice. My rear right window has derailed itself 3 times! Even after having it professionally fixed, there's a little piece of plastic that keeps breaking and falling off. My drivers side headlight CAUGHT ON FIRE! Stock bulbs, never tampered with, just caught fire while i was driving. Battery has died and needed replacing at 50,000. Battery terminal cables MELTED TOGETHER, replaced them myself after that with higher quality cables and silver saudering. My alternator went out, and I've had to replace my spark plugs because two of the stock ones rusted. Since 40,000 miles I've had to park with my parking brake set or the car will roll backwards in Park. That's just when I noticed that, could have existed before that but I usually park on flat ground. I've had to replace the rear crossmember, two wheel bearings, two rear spindles, and currently need another one replaced. Ford did this work. My rear view mirror is cracking in the heat of summer, my factory tint on the rear windshield is aging and getting very hard to see out of. My arm rest broke with just the pressure of my resting arm on it. My trunks weather stripping has always leaked a little bit when it's raining and the trunk just doesn't look like its quite lining up. I've had to replace both of my rear door speakers do to cracking sounds and distortion. My rear bumper is starting to sag and I've lost two passenger side power mirrors to drive through car washes. (always replaced by the car wash) I've washed it by hand for 40,000 miles now. It's always had a low end stumble, and often feels like it's going to die rather than accelerate when I attempt to pull out into traffic. I just got the car back from Ford, spending $317 on it and found out that I need a new transmission: $2300.

I've never been in accident in this car and I've always changed the oil/filter every 3,000 miles with Mobil 1 synthetic and flushed the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. People have always referred