[nanxun]

From Jalopnik, for folks (like @gregersonke) who think they might be dealing with a defective car (or other product).

Here Are the Laws You Need to Know if You Bought a Defective Product

 

[petahbread]

I've had to get my audio system fixed 2 times now because the subwoofers stopped working and I have this static popping noise in the speakers that won't go away. I just got my vehicle back today, and the static popping noise is still there. Will the lemon law apply to my situation?

 

[nanxun]

I've had to get my audio system fixed 2 times now because the subwoofers stopped working and I have this static popping noise in the speakers that won't go away. I just got my vehicle back today, and the static popping noise is still there. Will the lemon law apply to my situation?

Sorry to hear about your predicament, but I only posted the Jalopnik piece for reference and am not a lawyer. Laws vary state to state, but it definitely sounds like you've got a problematic set of speakers that is not working to your satisfaction. Where do you live, and what's your dealer saying about the issue? Have you gotten in touch with Mazda corporate?

 

[petahbread]

I live in Orange County, California. I went to Tustin Mazda. They haven't said much about the issue. They just agreed to fix it. At first it was the amplifier, they replaced it. The second time they replaced the TAU to no avail. I have not gotten in touch with corporate.

 

[Rdrokit]

No lemons or Lemon Laws in Thailand.:frown2:

 

[TheBobmanNH]

I've had to get my audio system fixed 2 times now because the subwoofers stopped working and I have this static popping noise in the speakers that won't go away. I just got my vehicle back today, and the static popping noise is still there. Will the lemon law apply to my situation?

Her'es the California Lemon Law.

https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/lemon

Certainly two unsuccessful fixes is frustrating but hardly unreasonable. Sometimes things are hard to fix. Be patient. If they tell you no, it's one thing, but if they're trying and just not getting it... it's unreasonbale to think it's a lemon because the stereo makes a noise and they haven't fixed it yet.

 

[sentential]

I've looked into this with my vehicle with an attorney and at least in Texas it has to be a catastrophic failure that would impede safety before lemon law would apply.

Having a car with an annoying problem or in my case death by a 1,000 cuts isn't enough unless the car has been out of service for a significant period of time (more than 30 days).

So unless my transmission quits or my engine seizes I am SOL. I've met the repair requirements but because of it's intermittent nature I have to have document-able proof of the issue that they will acknowledge before I can sue. For the record this is what I've got so far during 9 months of ownership:

Leaky Sunroof x1
Rattle in A pillar x1
Rattle in steering column x1
Mildew smell from AC after ignition x1
Engine stall x4
Rough idle x4
Transmission thrash x1
Power lock failure x3

^^ All that according to an attorney isn't enough. That said I was told the moment I hit 30 days or have to get a tow to the dealership to call them back and they'd represent me.

I have however made my opinions known to Mazda corp and JD Power in multiple surveys regarding my situation so hopefully future buyers aren't burdened with a piece of shit like mine.

 

[nanxun]

I've looked into this with my vehicle with an attorney and at least in Texas it has to be a catastrophic failure that would impede safety before lemon law would apply.
For the record this is what I've got so far during 9 months of ownership:

Leaky Sunroof x1
Rattle in A pillar x1
Rattle in steering column x1
Mildew smell from AC after ignition x1
Engine stall x4
Rough idle x4
Transmission thrash x1
Power lock failure x3

^^ All that according to an attorney isn't enough. That said I was told the moment I hit 30 days or have to get a tow to the dealership to call them back and they'd represent me.

:wtf: ??? Every time I hear about your situation, I get really angry :taz: and then sick to my stomach. Although it would suck in the short-term, I hope you pass that 30 day threshold and then can unleash your lawyer on them. :gun:

 

[gregersonke]

Her'es the California Lemon Law.

https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/lemon

Certainly two unsuccessful fixes is frustrating but hardly unreasonable. Sometimes things are hard to fix. Be patient. If they tell you no, it's one thing, but if they're trying and just not getting it... it's unreasonbale to think it's a lemon because the stereo makes a noise and they haven't fixed it yet.

Damn, I'd have been liable for 20 percent of the purchase price. That's 6000 bucks. Sheesh...

 

[NH89]

I wonder if the infotainment system counts for the CA lemon law, I've had two software updates on ,y '14 3 S hatch, V. 21 and V.33.05 plus a reboot in between the two updates during my oil change visits and it still messes up. sometimes it thinks it doesn't have a nav, and will freeze and crash while driving.

 

[gregersonke]

I've looked into this with my vehicle with an attorney and at least in Texas it has to be a catastrophic failure that would impede safety before lemon law would apply.

Having a car with an annoying problem or in my case death by a 1,000 cuts isn't enough unless the car has been out of service for a significant period of time (more than 30 days).

So unless my transmission quits or my engine seizes I am SOL. I've met the repair requirements but because of it's intermittent nature I have to have document-able proof of the issue that they will acknowledge before I can sue. For the record this is what I've got so far during 9 months of ownership:

Leaky Sunroof x1
Rattle in A pillar x1
Rattle in steering column x1
Mildew smell from AC after ignition x1
Engine stall x4
Rough idle x4
Transmission thrash x1
Power lock failure x3

^^ All that according to an attorney isn't enough. That said I was told the moment I hit 30 days or have to get a tow to the dealership to call them back and they'd represent me.

I have however made my opinions known to Mazda corp and JD Power in multiple surveys regarding my situation so hopefully future buyers aren't burdened with a piece of shit like mine.

The rough idle in my case turned out to be a bad exhaust manifold which caused it to go rich and deposit a lot of carbon. Premium fuel still gets better fuel mileage so I still use it.

Yea, it basically has to stay at the dealer for a while or get towed. In my case, the reality is that they finally fixed the issues, and they comped me for it. I simply just stayed mostly nice and kept escalating the issue till I got a fair reimbursement for my direct costs. It helps that I've worked in a support role before so I had an idea of how to escalate my case to the point that they comped me what I was asking for. I know they don't want to lemon the car and will fight me tooth and nail for that. But they are willing to cover outside costs like extended warranty, mats, body kits, etc. As long as you can account for your direct costs and give them a number to match and comp you in.

 

[TitFlashM3]

In Florida, within the first 24 months of a new purchase, if a problem is reoccuring which impedes with the use of the vehicle, and the manufacturer or dealer has been given ample time and tries (at least 3 I believe) to correct the problem, the process of determining a car as a lemon will begin. At which that time the manufacturer or dealer will have to provide a refund or replace the vehicle.......

First hand experience.

 

[Flaring Afro]

Virginia seems to have stronger lemon laws for the consumer than a lot of other states. Here it's a lemon if it has undergone 3 unsuccessful attempts at repair, 1 attempt of serious safety defect, or has been out of service for 30 days within the first 18 months of ownership. If you give notice after that has happened, the dealer gets 15 days and 1 attempt to make it right. It covers leased vehicles and "reasonable" attorney fees and you receive a replacement vehicle, or a refund minus a reasonable amount for your usage. This seems to mean that you can get another new Mazda 3 of equivalent trim and options without losing any money. Since a couple people haven't been able to go long without some sort of issue, I'd think a judge would not take much off of the price if you chose a refund.

Also, the car is given a lemon title and dealers are required to let any buyers be aware of that.

Source: http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/automotive-law/lemon-law.php

 

[nanxun]

Virginia seems to have stronger lemon laws for the consumer than a lot of other states. Here it's a lemon if it has undergone 3 unsuccessful attempts at repair, 1 attempt of serious safety defect, or has been out of service for 30 days within the first 18 months of ownership. If you give notice after that has happened, the dealer gets 15 days and 1 attempt to make it right. It covers leased vehicles and "reasonable" attorney fees and you receive a replacement vehicle, or a refund minus a reasonable amount for your usage. This seems to mean that you can get another new Mazda 3 of equivalent trim and options without losing any money. Since a couple people haven't been able to go long without some sort of issue, I'd think a judge would not take much off of the price if you chose a refund.

Also, the car is given a lemon title and dealers are required to let any buyers be aware of that.

Thx for the specific details for VA. Very informative and useful.