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Question is, PLEASE, strictly to those who actually experienced such situation.
Scenario: you have a fully covered by warranty vehicle with a problem, reproduced by dealer. After several attempts by dealer technician to repair it, parts replaced, vehicles still has problem.
Dealer acknowledges that they can't correctly diagnose the source of it (which is, actually, kudos to dealer) and is calling in manufacturer engineer for diagnostic. Again, kudos to dealer for not trying to cover up or slide this back onto owner.
Question: have YOU ever been in situation, when problem becomes basically a design or manufacturer flaw in the vehicle, irreparable, and what this ended in?
Yes, I know - talk to area service manager, who is direct manufacturer representative, be prepared for legal action, collect all paperwork. I read what online says.
Personal experience is sought, thank you. Vehicle is a Japanese luxury brand known for its reliability and reputation otherwise.
Have had a number of client's cars which had driveability flaws which the dealer/manufacturer were unable to resolve. The problems were repeatable and could potentially be considered a safety issue. Repeated software upgrades, some hard parts replaced … nothing solved the problem, although the specific failure details did changes sometimes.
Between state "lemon laws" and the dealership "customer goodwill" attitude, the cars were traded in on other models with the full purchase price of the trade car applied to the replacement model. For one car, the "lemon law" applied and the full purchase price of the car was refunded even though the car owner had put 12,000 miles on the car.
You probably need to look into the Lemon Laws in your state. The laws are different across our country. Here, once the car maker agrees to take the car back, you will owe for all of the mileage that you put on it. Current rate is 58 cents a mile, and that can add up fast. Frankly, the Lemon Laws in Texas suck incredibly bad. Your state may be different. But if you keep having the same reoccurring issue, you need to document, document, document. Here, all you need is the same reoccurring issue 3 times and you can claim Lemon Law. It takes an attorney so if the car has low mileage, it may not cost you an arm and leg. If you put a lot of miles on it, most often it's far better to trade it in and get a different ride and skip the Lemon Law. Find out what the laws are in your state and do the math.
So far, I am in good hopes. For one, dealer acknowledged issue and it is documented. Secondly, they are clearly showing good will, going to length of requesting manufacturer specialist. It's just that my insurance will cover loaner only for 30 days.
I figure, in worst case, they will offer trade in. Something tells me just that.
Thank you again.
Oh, I also appreciate dedicated responses. Thank you for not cluttering it with idle posts. Mighty nice of all.
I do know from a BMW technical conference, the Director of BMW North America training told me (group talk) about "tiger teams" that they send out, particularly on higher end cars having problems that the dealer can't diagnose themselves. I would think the Japanese luxury brands have similar. That seems to be what you are dealing with now.
This BMW guy is/was a sincere "motor-head" and seemed to look forward to the toughest problems, like a puzzle for him to solve.
So far, I am in good hopes. For one, dealer acknowledged issue and it is documented. Secondly, they are clearly showing good will, going to length of requesting manufacturer specialist. It's just that my insurance will cover loaner only for 30 days.
I figure, in worst case, they will offer trade in. Something tells me just that.
Thank you again.
Oh, I also appreciate dedicated responses. Thank you for not cluttering it with idle posts. Mighty nice of all.
Do not settle for a trade in. Seriously investigate the lemon laws in your state. It doesn't have to be adversarial to go through the process, but to willingly throw away potentially thousands of your own dollars when you should be made whole is silly.
Why should your insurance be paying for a loaner? This is a defect with the car that they made and sold you. The dealer or manufacturer should be providing you with a replacement vehicle.
50 states, 51 different sets of rules. This would come under the Lemon Law of your state. If you determine that it covers your situation, advise the dealer and factory rep that you plan to pursue lemon law proceedings, they may choose to offer to trade you out of it and into a different car. I have seen this happen.
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