Emergency car repair: 1 800 Lemon Law is open to help distressed drivers through COVID-19

May 31, 2020
By: Robert Silverman

You are barely using the car during the quarantine but when you need to rely on it for a grocery trip or a necessary errand, it needs to be running properly. Emergency car repair needs can crop up at any time. If the check engine light is on, or the transmission clunks, or the steering is misaligned, you still have rights under State Lemon laws and you need to take action. It’s important to note that 1 800 LEMON LAW is open to help distressed drivers throughout this time and we have useful information on what you need to do if your vehicle is driving you crazy during this already unpredictable time.

Take your car in for service

The worst thing you can possibly do is park your car and let it sit. If you are having issues, take your car in for service as you may have claims under state lemon laws and federal warranty statutes for repeated repairs.

When you take your car in for service, you must document everything:

• Sit down with a service advisor and go over every issue you’re having with your car.  They are required to do this before making repairs to your vehicle.
• Make sure you receive an invoice listing mileage in, drop off date, and all issues you are bringing your car in for.
• On retrieval of your vehicle, make sure mileage out, date received, and repairs performed are all listed on the invoice.

Save your repair invoices!

Invoices from emergency car repairs become crucial pieces of evidence showing repetitive problems that require visits back to a manufacturer’s authorized dealer.  They can also show extended periods of down time to address a non-conformity under a manufacturer’s warranty. In other words, these invoices are like GOLD!

Repair invoices should show mileage in, mileage out, days in for service, and repairs made.  This information is key in lemon law cases so keep all of your invoices in a safe place and never throw them away.

If you are having issues with your vehicle during this crisis, don’t hesitate to take it into an authorized manufacturer for service.  Make sure all warranty repair visits are documented.  If you have to make repeated trips to your dealership for the same issue or your vehicle is down for an extended period of time, you may have a claim under State Lemon Laws or Federal Warranty Statutes. Depending your circumstances, you could be entitled to a new car, complete refund, or significant compensation due to defects in your vehicle. Call 1800 LEMON LAW (1800 536 6652) or visit www.lemonlaw.com/rid/ to find out more about your rights.