I leased a brand new Saturn Ion less than 3 months ago. A month after I got it, the coolant light started coming on, so I brought it into the dealer. He laughed at me and said, "all you have to do is put coolant in it, honey." I brushed it off, I'm used to mechanics treating me like crap because I'm a young good-looking woman. But I still felt like I shouldn't have to be putting coolant in a month-old car.
Of course, the light came back on again, so I brought it in again. Turns out the tank was empty and leaking coolant into the engine, and now the engine's shot. On top of that, they've had it for 3 days and can't find the leak.
Some friends of mine have told me I'm entitled to get a brand new car because I got a lemon, and if they try to give me that car back I should b*tch and moan about it. I don't think I should get a brand new car as long as they can fix the problem. I would appreciate some advice on how to handle the situation, I don't want to be taken advantage of.
2007-08-24 04:18:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
They will find the leak - you can be sure of that and they will fix it. They have to. And by fixing, I mean either actually repairing the engine or replacing it. This sounds like an unusual failure for a new car, but stranger things have happened, I can assure you. Give them a chance to repair the car. I assume that they have given you a free loaner car to use while your car is in the shop. There should be ABSOLUTELY NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE to you during this repair. The explanations for Lemon Law considerations noted by previous contributors are, basically, correct - but your car has not apporached that, yet. Continue to call and request updates on your car until they tell you it is ready to be picked up. Make certain that your receipt completely address' the issue
with your concern, the cause and the fix. Do not let anyone at the dealer take advantage of your on account of your gender - they should be ashamed of themselves to try that in this day and age. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the explanation, ask to speak to the service manager. Be calm, courteous and respectful and allow him/her to do the same. They want your continued business and are not happy about this failure, either. If for some reason, you are not satisfied with either the explanation or treatment, ask to speak to or call the General Manager or owner. You will, at this point, also be wise to contact Saturn's Customer Service office and voice your concern - the dealer will have to answer to this inquiry.
Hope this helps and good luck!
2007-08-24 08:09:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I believe its only considered a lemon when the same problem happens 3 times or more.But since it did leak into your engine and damaged God only knows what I would say that they should at the very least give you a new engine from factory I wouldn't accept a rebuilt engine on a new car.And if they take to long to find your car problem I would talk to them about your lease because your basically paying Saturn to have your car sit at the shop and that's just not right either.worse comes to worse see if you can get the lease canceled and get another car.Perhaps a Nissan altima which is a way better car then the ion will ever be.Well hope this helps
2007-08-24 04:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by john d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to be taken advantage of, you need to start documenting EVERYTHING now.
Make sure you have the paper work from the first time you took the car in.
Lemon laws allow the dealership 3 chances to find and fix the same (reoccuring) problem, but you must be able to provide documentation to show that you brought the problem to the attention of the dealership 3 times and they weren't able to fix it.
After the 3rd time, contact a lawyer to assist in enacting the lemon law.
2007-08-24 04:32:35 · answer #3 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok if the engine is shot the car is totaled. A new engine cost a couple grand, so i doubt they would fix it talk to your dealer and see what the conitions of your lease are they will explain everything to you, what your warrentys are blah blah blah. take your brother or a guy friend with you , they will be less likely to jerk you around. i have the same problem with mechanics and dealers, cute young girl, i love to get them though i used to rebuilt cars in highschool. so i know quiet a bit so if they start bull shiting me i alway correct them, it's great!
P>S your engine i doubt is shot if it is they will give you a new one, so just let them fix it. if they can't they will give you a new car. if it's just a coolent leak they will find it and patch it and there is nothing wrong with your engine.
2007-08-24 04:29:37 · answer #4 · answered by ericams85 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest trying for the new car. They may be able to fix the old one but I just don't think you should have to deal with that. Your the customer. You did nothing to cause this and Saturn should take the hit, give you a new car to continue out your lease and be done with it.
2007-08-24 04:28:52 · answer #5 · answered by yeper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will fix the car for you and I'm sure they gave you something new to drive while yours is being fixed, just go with the flow as they have 3 shots at fixing your car for the same item before you are entitled to the lemmon law, the best thing about it is you will be able to get rid of the car when your lease is up and walk away from it.
2007-08-24 13:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋