Need Help:Lemon Law - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

TriGem2k · 09-26-2006, 05:02 PM

Hi,

I know this isn't a Porsche question or topic but I thought you guys can help me out.

I have a 2001 Lexus LS 430 which has been at the dealer since August 21, 2006. They have been unable to fix the problem in over a month and I keep calling and they tell me they have yet to find a solution.

The problem with the car has been that the car cannot connect to the Lexus Satellites for the Lexus Link System. They have tried everything and nothing seems to work. The car is almost 6years old, but I want to know, does anyone know anything about a Lemon Law which would cover such a thing?

I love the car, and do want it back, but after a month and half at the shop with no answer I can’t help but to feel skeptical about taking the car back.

Should I fight it out with the dealer even if they do find a fix? Or should I just wait some more and let it ride out and just take my car back when it’s done?

Any information or thoughts you guys can give me will help.

......And they said Japanese cars never give you problems......

09-26-2006, 05:07 PM

TriGem, this has been discussed a lot here. Do a search. Here are a few posts that may help:

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6662&highlight=lemon

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5519&highlight=lemon

denverpete · 09-27-2006, 06:43 AM

It has been discussed, but probably only relating to new purchases.

In general, the so called "Lemon Laws" apply to the purchase of a new vehicle or sometimes a used vehicle under warranty (factory or otherwise).

I can not see how your car would be covered. I understand that it's frustrating that they can't fix it or figure out the problem. But, sometimes that happens and, unfortunately, that doesn't make the car a lemon. It makes it old with a problem.

You do, however, have the right to get your car back and to get the kind of service you expect. I would not be surprised to see them try and charge you for all kinds of tests despite not fixing the problem. And, if you refuse to pay they could refuse to give you the car back.

Personally, I think you need to take the car somewhere else.

Good luck. Seriously.

RandallNeighbour · 09-27-2006, 07:11 AM

Have you made an appointment with the service manager? If so, then it's time to make an appointment to talk to the general manager of the dealership. Working your way up the chain, explaining your frustration and asking them to get involved usually gets things fixed.

This is a very interesting thread to me. I have a '95 LS400, and the wife has asked me if we should trade it on a 2001-2003 LS430... apart from this issue, has the car been bullet proof like my 1995?

Perfectlap · 09-27-2006, 07:23 AM

A Lexus in repair for a month!!! You have to be the first guy ever.
I haven't even heard of Lexus from anyone I know ever breaking down.
Me, I would threaten to go to the press and destroy their near pristine
reputation. You should call the local news networks and get them to do
a shame on you type story. I love when I see those and the GM of the whole
dealership shows up to personally deliver the keys to a free two year lease (while they tell all their other disgruntled customers not on TV to piss off).

get a cheap lawyer to write a threatening letter. Things will speed up quickly.
THey'll avoid spending more on legal fees than the cost of rectifiying your problem.

TriGem2k · 09-27-2006, 07:45 AM

Randall,

The car was bought brand new from the same dealership and as you mentioned about your 95, has been absolutely Bullet Proof up to this point. Even now, I don't consider this a serious problem with the car; it’s for the Lexus Link System which is basically OnStar for Lexus. It just won’t connect to it, and I like having the Services they provide and I do pay my yearly dues to them of about $225 so I want it there.

I am meeting with the General Manager in about an hour or so. I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks for all the responses

FIG · 09-27-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

A Lexus in repair for a month!!! You have to be the first guy ever.
I haven't even heard of Lexus from anyone I know ever breaking down.
Me, I would threaten to go to the press and destroy their near pristine
reputation. You should call the local news networks and get them to do
a shame on you type story. I love when I see those and the GM of the whole
dealership shows up to personally deliver the keys to a free two year lease (while they tell all their other disgruntled customers not on TV to piss off).

get a cheap lawyer to write a threatening letter. Things will speed up quickly.
THey'll avoid spending more on legal fees than the cost of rectifiying your problem.

Legal fees are not their concern (they've got plenty of time and money), but you're other point of "pristine reputation"....now thats the money statement. Lexus dont want that to be tarnished. That they have spent big money trying to achieve.
I too would be heading down the track of legal letters threatening to go to the press!

Hope it's a favourable out-come

Porschekid · 09-27-2006, 09:40 AM

Defintely nothing Lemon Law would cover. But if the dealership can't resolve it then I would write a letter to Lexus they may be able to help solve the issue or compensate you for your grief. I had a friend who got some money out of writing a letter to Jeep because of a recurring Cherokee problem.