You told me so.....

Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Okay, so this past March I went against some of your advice....I bought the Saturn. Got a good deal on a brand new 2003 L200, fully loaded. It's been going great except for these past few months. To date, I've had the following problems:

1. Car won't start until I've turned it over numerous times.

2. Key fobs work intermittently.

3. Auto temp control works intermittently.

4. 2 weeks ago it was smoking under the hood and smelled of burning oil.

Today will be the second time I've taken the car back to the dealership for work since they couldn't duplicate the problems the first time around. When I picked up the car the first time this is what they told me:

1. They have no idea why the car won't start.

2. The key fobs don't work because I live near a military base.

3. Apparently they calibrated the temp control, but it's still acting up.

4. They couldn't diagnose the smoke problem, as they couldn't find a leak, etc.

Anyway, I've done a bit of research on the NE lemon laws and they state that if you take a car in within a year of purchase for the same problem, 4 times, that it's considered a lemon. Problem is, nobody can confirm whether or not this is strike 2 since the dealership is saying they can't duplicate the problems.

Does anybody know anything about lemon laws or have any advice for me? I feel like I'm at wits end with this car since I've called the dealership MANY times, as well as Saturn Customer Service. :burning: TIA!

Word to the wise - don't buy a Saturn!

I should've listened to you all!
 
RoseRed

RoseRed

American Beauty
PREMO Member
Originally posted by ememdee19
2. The key fobs don't work because I live near a military base.
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WTF??? I have never heard of such a thing.

PT dear, where are you and your lemon law expertise?
 
Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Re: Re: You told me so.....

Originally posted by RoseRed
WTF??? I have never heard of such a thing.

PT dear, where are you and your lemon law expertise?
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!!! He says it's been really bad since the war started. My thoughts were, YEAH RIGHT...blow smoke somewhere else! Anyway, he insisted and insisted that it was b/c of the base. That they're radio frequency waves were interfering with the transmitters on the key fobs. I told him it that that answer wasn't good enough and he finally said, "We're going to have to agree to disagree because you're wrong". Talk about a pissed off biatch!
 
Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Originally posted by vraiblonde
Maryland Lemon Laws

Does Southern Maryland Online have it all or what? :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks vrai, but I need Nebraska. I researched it online, but nobody can tell me whether or not it's considered a lemon if you take it in 4 times and they can't duplicate the problem.
 
Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Here's Nebraska's Lemon Law

I've talked to lawyers, etc. I just can't get a straight answer. Does anybody have any suggestions for me? I'm not getting anywhere with customer service, either. Saturn hasn't offered me sh!t for a brand new car that has this many problems already. I also had to fight tooth and nail to get a rental approved!
 
vraiblonde

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Em, here's one with some explanatory stuff too:
http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/state_laws/nebraska.htm

Go into their showroom and make a stink. Make sure you do it when there are plenty of customers hanging around. In a loud voice, explain to whoever comes to greet you exactly what the problem is. This worked well for me when I tried it on a Mechanicsville dealer.

Otherwise, go the lawyer route. You pay him/her a couple hundered bucks to write a letter to the dealership, explaining to them that if they don't repair or replace the vehicle, you will sue them under the NE Lemon Laws. Then they'll not only have to refund your money, but they'll have legal fees as well.

Anybody know how to blow up a car w/o making it look like my fault?
Click to expand...
Yes. :cool:
 
C

carolinagirl

What's it 2 U
Call the Attorney General's Office in Nebraska and see if they have a consumer protection section or sometimes it is called consumer affairs. Talk to one of their specialists about that state's lemon laws and then file a consumer complaint againt the dealership! Also, call the Staurn Corp Office and complain, complain, complain!!

One mor thing, check recalls to see if others are having the same issues and then print it off and shove it in the dealerships face!:biggrin:
 
willie

willie

Well-Known Member
Re: Re: Re: You told me so.....

Originally posted by ememdee19
EXACTLY!!!! He says it's been really bad since the war started. My thoughts were, YEAH RIGHT...blow smoke somewhere else! Anyway, he insisted and insisted that it was b/c of the base. That they're radio frequency waves were interfering with the transmitters on the key fobs. I told him it that that answer wasn't good enough and he finally said, "We're going to have to agree to disagree because you're wrong". Talk about a pissed off biatch!
Click to expand...
Saturn must have a Regional rep or the equivalent. His superiors must not know about this FOB static poo-poo of his. How could anybody believe anything else he says?
 
Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Thanks everybody!

Here's what I found as far as recalls go on my BRAND NEW car:

Engine Controls - Severe Misfire/DTC's P0300 - P0304

Interior - Seat Covers Loose or Torn

Entertainment System - DVD Player Won't Accept Disc

A/C - R-134A Refrigerant Dye Usage

Powertrain Electrical - Service Manual Update

Entertainment System (Rear Seat) - Service/Diagnostics

Wiper System - Redesigned Linkage/Service Procedure

Body - Hood Rod Contacts Hood Release Cable

Tires/Wheels - Highway Speed Steering Wheel Shake

A/T - Line Pressure Control Solenoid Service Information

Differential - Ring Gear Service Procedure Update

Power Steering - Noise/Leak Diagnosis

Besides the obvious recalls, can anybody tell me if any of these problems are related to the ones I'm currently having? TIA!
 
Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Originally posted by vraiblonde
Em, here's one with some explanatory stuff too:
http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/state_laws/nebraska.htm

Go into their showroom and make a stink. Make sure you do it when there are plenty of customers hanging around. In a loud voice, explain to whoever comes to greet you exactly what the problem is. This worked well for me when I tried it on a Mechanicsville dealer.

Otherwise, go the lawyer route. You pay him/her a couple hundered bucks to write a letter to the dealership, explaining to them that if they don't repair or replace the vehicle, you will sue them under the NE Lemon Laws. Then they'll not only have to refund your money, but they'll have legal fees as well.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info, vrai! I guess I'll have to wait on any legal action until the car has been in the shop for the fourth time....then it's go time. I paid for a brand new car and that's all I want is a car that functions properly, d@mmit! Making a seen is a great idea, or better yet I could put a big sign on my car that says - Don't buy Saturn!

Originally posted by vraiblonde
Yes. :cool:
Click to expand...

How??? :biggrin:
 
Ponytail

Ponytail

New Member
Sorry I missed this, I was at a chiropractor appointment.

Don't fret too much there emem. Saturns, in my opinion, are good cars, as are the GM dealers that service them.

Couple of questions for you: Are you living in Nebraska now??? What the hell are you doing on the SOMD forum...are you lost? j/k. :biggrin: What the hell is a "key fob"?

Ok. When you took the car in, did you get it on record that you brought it in, and were your complaints put on your service record? What does the response from GM say on the "bill".

Most lemon laws state that the car has to have 3 unsuccessful attempts to fix the same problem. Sounds bad, but it isn't.

In your GM manual, they should list an 800# for customer service. CALL THEM. And explain your problem as completely and accurately as you can. They will call the dealer and find out from them what there side is, and they will prolly have you make another appointment, but this time there will be a fire under the dealer's ### to fix it.

If you don't get satisfactory results from them call the Customer Sat people again..they will have started a file on you, and will want to know how you made out. Work with them as much as your tolerance will allow. Then write one letter, explaining your unsatisfactory car quality, and service, be specific as to time and dates and exactly what dealers are involved. State in there that you want either the car to be fixed permanently to your satisfaction, or a replacement. DON'T LET THEM TALK YOU INTO TRADING THE CAR IN!!!! Send the letter directly to the State Attorney generals office, carbon copy the dealer, the customer satisfaction dept at GM (their address should also be listed in your manual), and the Better Business Bureau.

I still have copies of my letters that I had to send to get Chrysler off their asses. Let me know If I can help any more. Good luck, I know it's frustrating, but you CAN win this one.

HTH
 
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Pookie

Pookie

Ghetto Fabulous
Thank you so much, PT!!!

I used to live in somd for 10 years, but the AF moved me to NE! Just keeping up on things back home! :biggrin:

Anyway, the key fob is the remote keyless entry system. They're telling me the reason the remote doesn't work is b/c I live near a military installation. I'm not buying it!

This will be the second time the car has been in the shop for a diagnosis of the problems. However, I want to know what happens if they never duplicate the problems to diagnose them? Does that mean the car won't be considered a lemon the 4th time I take it in for another "diagnosis"?

As for customer service, well they suck too! I've had no luck with them either. They haven't offered anything to me thus far, for all of these problems. I'm supposed to pick up the car tomorrow, so I'll see what they say then, to determine whether or not I'll be calling the 800 number again.

The letter is a great idea, but if the problems persist I'm going to wait until at least the third time to write a letter since NE law states you have to wait until the 4th time. I found a cool website that will generate a letter to Saturn here. Looks like it may do the job, I hope! Thanks for all of the advice! I'll keep you posted on my great adventure with Saturn. :mad:
 
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