Car Lemon Laws
Approximately every state has a new car “lemon law” that allows the owner a refund or substitute when a new vehicle has a considerable problem that is not fixed within a reasonable number of attempts. Many specify a refund or replacement when a substantial problem is not fixed in four repair attempts or the car has been out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000 miles/12 months. If you believe that your car is a lemon:
1.make contact with your state or local consumer protection office for information on the laws in your state and the steps you must take to resolve the situation;
2.give the dealer a record of symptoms every time you bring it in for repairs; keep copies for your records;
3.obtain copies of the repair orders showing the reported problems, the repairs performed and the dates that the car was in the shop; and
4.make contact with the manufacturer, as well as the dealer, to report the problem. Some state laws require that you do so to give the manufacturer a chance to fix the problem. Your owner’s manual will list an address for the manufacturer.
If the problem isn’t resolved, you might have the option of participate in an arbitration program offered by the manufacturer or your state. Contact your state or local consumer protection office for information.
Lemon Law Summary is available upon request by sending a self-addressed, stamped (52 cents) envelope to the Center for Auto Safety, 2001 S Street, N.W.,
When you have a loan of money to buy a car, you should know that:
1.The lender can repossess if you miss a payment or for any default (a violation of the contract).
2.The lender can repossess without advance notice.
3.After repossession, the lender might be able to accelerate, meaning the lender can require the borrower to pay off the entire balance of the loan in order for the borrower to get the vehicle back.
4.The lender can sell the vehicle at auction.
5.The lender might be able to sue the borrower for the deficiency if it sells the car for less than the borrower owes. This is true even in voluntary repossessions.
6.The lender cannot give a “breach of the peace,” for example, breaking into a home or physically threatening someone, in the course of a repossession.
If you know you’re going to be late with a payment, talk to the lender to try to work things out. If the lender agrees to a holdup or to modify the contract, be sure you get the agreement in writing.
Some states have laws which give consumers additional rights.
Contact your state or local consumer protection office for more information,
Renting A Car
Federal law does not cover short-term car and truck rentals. However, there are state laws that do. You should contact your state or local consumer protection office for more information on laws in your area. law lemon
1.Shop around for the best rates.
2.Compare all fees, in addition to the daily/weekly rate, before renting.
3.Most car rental contracts make the consumer liable for all damage to the vehicle, no matter who caused it. Before buying a rental company’s collision or loss damage waiver, check with your own car insurance company and your credit card company to see if they cover car rentals and to what extent. It pays to do your homework because these policies can add $3 to $15 per day to your rental charges! Rental companies also might sell loss of use and liability insurance. Check with your insurance agent in advance, so you do not duplicate coverage you already have.
1.If you pay by credit card, some rental companies will place a hold or freeze on your account during the rental period. Others might start to charge your account before the rental period is over. Find out the company’s policy in advance.
2.Cautiously inspect the vehicle and its tires before renting and write down all the dents and scratches you see.
3.Check refueling policies. You can refill at a local gas station, you can let the car rental company refuel the car at its price, which is usually higher, or you can pay in advance for are fill which will cost you needlessly if there is any unused gas upon returning the vehicle.
4.Contact your state or local consumer protection agency for information on state law or to report problems with your car rental.
5.To order a free publication on car rental, contact the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and
Federal mail order rules require companies that take consumers’ orders by mail to:
6.ship the merchandise within 30 days of receiving a completed order or within a different timeframe if it is stated in their ads;
7.inform consumers if shipment can’t be made on time and give them the choice of waiting longer or receiving refunds; and o cancel their orders and return their money (or give them credits on their charge accounts) if the revised shipping date can’t be met, unless
the consumers agree to another delay. There also might be laws regarding mail order in your state. Contact your state or local consumer protection agency.
8.Keep a record of the name, address and phone number of the company, goods you ordered, date of your order, amount you paid and method of payment.
9.Keep a documentation of any delivery period that was promised. o If you are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date of that notice in your records and the new shipping date if you’ve agreed to wait longer.
10.When you cancel an order that wasn’t shipped on time, you have the right to get a refund within seven days or within one billing cycle for charged sales.
11.When you use your credit card for mail order purchases and you don’t receive the goods or services, or they were defective or misrepresented, use the credit card protection rights described in the section on Credit Cards.
12.To limit some of the mail you do not want, you can sign up with the free Mail Preference Service operated by the Direct Marketing Association, a private trade group attorney law lemon. It will instruct its mail marketing members to take you off their lists. To join, write to the Mail Preference Service,
Car Manufacturers Law lemon
If you have a problem with a car purchased from a local dealer, first try to work it out with the dealer. If the problem is not resolved, contact the manufacturer’s regional or national office. Many of these are listed in this section. law lemon mass
If you still cannot resolve your problem, contact one of the third-party dispute resolution programs. Be sure to contact your local or state consumer agency to see if your state offers state-run dispute resolution programs.
If you think you have a vehicle problem that might fall under your state’s lemon law, call your local or state consumer agency to find out about your rights under the lemon law.