12-4-08 Las Vegas, NV
This is an email I received from a lady I will refer to as JW because Buybacks come with GAG-orders that you can’t tell anyone about the terms and conditions of the deal. So I don’t jeopardize her deal, I am posting this as she has written it. She states that taking the buyback means the factory can “fix” the truck and resell it to another unsuspecting customer, however, if she sues in her state, and wins, they can’t ever resell the truck.
She’s asking what to do… but her story isn’t unusual as you see in these posts, her question is open to personal opinion. I’m open to posting any responses you have to her question; Take the Buyback or sue to protect others?
“Hello
I have been doing research for months on this truck and currently in Arbitration with the state. However, we have so much lost from this vehicle and it has been at the dealership undriveable since June 13 2008 imagine that. The Dodge people keep getting our hearings postponed and my husband says he has been paying this payment this long what is another few months and we are thinking of not going through the lemon law process because we feel we have an excellent case for a law suit. Can you refer some of these attorneys you spoke of on your site that are looking into a class action law suit. FYI- They have never given us a loaner car either. Thank God my husband kept his 98 Dodge 5.9 400,000 miles and still kicking! We also have our insurance company willing to help because they (Dodge) tried telling our insurance company it was something else and after they spent a lot of money in lab fee’s and investigators they (the insurance investigator) said absolutely that Dodge was wrong. Prior to June 13th of 08 from the time we purchased in May of 2007 new it had been in the shop I think around 40 days total prior to it not running any more since June 13th.” Chrysler has begged to buy it back after my 4 page letter but if we do that they will re-sell this vehicle after fixing it and that just isn’t fair that is why we won’t settle without taking it through the state , because that is the only way we can guarantee they can not sale this vehicle to anyone else. “
I am still looking for attorney’s that want to create a class-action lawsuit over this truck, but I think they are putting off the consumers because they are waiting to see if they get BAILOUT money. If they dont get BAILOUT money, they may not be in business to honor these buyback deals. Lemon Aid may mean nothing if they can’t pay. The Dodge Diesel situation is noticeably different for 2009, as there are NO 2009 models released yet. Makes you wonder if fixing the dpf issue can be done without a total remake.
I also note that the Big 3 are being very tight about financing any new car/truck loans. It is near impossible to get even the best credit-score a loan right now. This makes me think there is a forced-hand to show the gov. how badly they need the money. But as you’ve heard me say before, IMHO, they should only get the money for the specific use of funding loans for consumers and those in need, with VERY strict rules and trackers on the cars.
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Sarah Lee is a 20 yr. automotive executive writing on all things car related and consumer important.
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i have 09 dodge ram 1500. it has burning wires and has had various items replaced. is in shop for 5th time for burning wires. the last time could not find this time says can not find. they also state waiting on it to actually catch and burn. i dont like situation scared of driving with kids. can you offer me any help. chrysler closes cases when dealer can not find even though their is history only has 2000 miles on it.
Comment by paula — June 23, 2009 @ 2:31 pm