Tucson Citizen.com
Better Business Bureau Consumer Alert -

Posts Tagged ‘lemon’

BBB AUTO LINE is Fast, Fair and Saves You Money

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Is your car making a funky noise? Do the lights not work? It could be a lemon. For more than 30 years, BBB AUTO LINE has helped consumers resolve “lemon law” complaints quickly and at no cost. Our dispute resolution program covers car warranty issues against participating manufacturers, and we have helped more than two million consumers.

Learn more about BBB AUTO LINE.

Know your lemon law

Every state has a lemon law that makes automakers responsible for vehicles that fail to meet performance and safety standards, regardless of the warranty. BBB has details on state laws, but make sure you keep all documentation on your vehicle, its history, repair orders, etc. Take notes when you talk to your dealer or repair shop, and keep track of how many days your vehicle is out of commission.

Find out more about the lemon laws in your state.

Is my car included?

Most automakers agree to participate in BBB AUTO LINE to resolve their consumer complaints quickly and efficiently. And we’ve made it easy for you to check and see if your car, truck, van or SUV is included. If you are looking for a new vehicle, check this list and see if your top choices are covered. These manufacturers stand behind their vehicles and are committed to working with consumers fairly.

Check out a list of accredited manufacturers.

File your complaint

At BBB AUTO LINE, we strive to make resolving your lemon law complaint as simple as possible. Our role is to open communication between you and your manufacturer and to assist in the speedy resolution of your auto warranty or lemon law dispute. We will guide you each step of the way: through collecting documentation, negotiating a possible settlement and navigating the arbitration process.

File a complaint.

For more consumer news and information contact Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona by calling (520)888-6161, or visiting www.tucson.bbb.org.

BBB Consumer Tip: Understanding the Arizona Lemon Law

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Most of us know that when purchasing a vehicle, one of the most common pieces of advice we’ll receive is “Don’t buy a lemon!” While this advice is useful, it’s not always easy to follow. What can you do after you’ve purchased the perfect vehicle and days later find that the doors stick shut, it won’t shift gears, and it makes noticeably peculiar sounds when you’re stopped at a light?

New Car: For a legal explanation and advice, consult with an attorney. The period covered by the New Car Lemon Law is equal to the term of the manufacturer’s warranty, two years, or 24,000 miles after purchase, depending on which comes first.  If you believe your new car is a lemon and you have several documented reoccurring issues with the vehicle, contact Better Business Bureau to see if BBB can help with your lemon through our free BBB Autoline Program.

Used Car: For a legal explanation and advice, consult with an attorney. Under the used Car Lemon Law, the period of coverage is 15 days or 500 miles after purchase, depending on which comes first. The buyer must notify the dealership as soon as problems occur. If repairs are needed, the buyer may be responsible for a portion of the cost up to $25 per repair. If two repair attempts do not fix the vehicle, the buyer may continue to negotiate with the dealer. The buyer can request that the dealer take the car back; however the dealer is not required to do so. The buyer may also attempt to mediate, arbitrate, or take the dealer to court.