QuestionHi, My problem is that about 30 days ago, I purchased a 1999 Chrysler 300M and a week after I purchased it the car began to overheat. I hadn't noticed it sinced I only used it to go to and from work, which is 4 miles away. As soon as I noticed it I called the dealer and he was very nice about fixing it. The next week went by and and the car was still overheating. Since I bought it I have been to the dealer 4 times to have the car fixed. Now I'm starting to get mad because I've not only taken time from work to take it to them but I've filled my gas tank and they test drive it on my gas have kept my car a total of 7 days so far and counting to do the repairs and I still have to pay a full month on pmt. Now I told the owners son that I want to know what shop they took it to so I can make sure they are doing a diagnostic to find the problem and they said it was "just an outside shop" As we discussed the problems with my car I ask him if I can get a copy of the repairs done to the car for future reference and he states that the car is being repaired by his mechanic. Okay his mechanic obviously not able to fix it because I keep taking it to him and he supposedly fixes it and I end up returning it with problems. When I asked him why he didnt take it to a mechanic to find the problem by means of a diagnostic he tells me I'm too much drama and that he would rather me return the car to him and give me my down pmt back, but he would have to charge me taxes on the price of the car which hardly leaves me anything. What are my rights in this case? I'm in California and the car costed $9,500 I've had it about a month.
AnswerTo my knowledge, you have no recourse in California under the "Lemon Law" unless the issue involves a manufacturer’s warranty, recall or an extended warranty contract.
Assuming that this vehicle was purchased "as is", it sounds like this dealer has already gone above and beyond to make things right. With today's complex automobiles, a week in the shop is not unusual. As far as "diagnostics" I'm assuming that you are speaking of hooking up some type of diagnostic equipment to find the problem. This is not generally applicable with overheating situations.
The mechanic likely has to deal with more than one issue here. The first is the initial cause of the overheating and the second may be the additional cooling system or engine damage caused during the time that you hadn't notice the problem yet. Today's engines do not stand up well to overheating and it takes very little driving in an overheated condition to cause additional damage.
It sounds to me like you may want to bite the bullet and either take the dealer up on his refund offer or allow him the time he needs to resolve the mechanical issue.
I'm sure that with some patience, it will work out well in the long run.
If there are other details that you'd like to share, I'd be happy to address them.
Good Luck!
