Who do I contact for a lemon law

[doubletwins]

Who do I talk to first? The dealership, Corporate Toyota? Attorney General (State)? I am so tired of dealing with the brakes on my truck, I just want to get rid of it. It's been in the shop 5 times for squeaking brakes. Anyone else going through something similar. I live in CO and their law says if you take your vehicle in 4 or more times, it will qualify under the lemon law. I've got a call in to my prepaid legal lawyers, but I'm looking for advise from someone else who's already (successfully) been through it. TIA

 

[jharris2]

Most states require that the dealer give you a brochure on the lemon laws when you buy the vehicle new. Check your documents to see if you have one.

You could also call the state attorney general's office and inquire. They may have a consumer affairs division that can help guide you.

Lemon law procedures can vary by state, so someone outside your state may be of limited assistance.

 

[Sac State]

I would highly doubt squeeking brakes will qualify for the Lemon Law. The Law necessitates that the issues be life threatening, or exhibits a trait that is unusual and specific for your vehicle.

At best, the dealer should re-adjust your brakes and polish your pads/rotors. Mine squeeked horribly, the emergency brake would not hold. The dealer adjusted the brakes, claimed they were out of alignment from the factory, and after about 1,000 miles the squeek has all but disappeared.

My advice, try another dealer. Or, check out Edmunds.com.

 

[doubletwins]

On the Audi forum I go to, a guy got AoA to buy back his car because it vibrated at highway speeds. Audi couldn't figure out what the problem was. I don't think a vibration is life threatening. I've checked the law (for CO) and it doesn't say anything about having to be life threatening.

 

[Thai]

Have you tried going to an independent brake specialist and getting their opinion?? If they charge you, then you can get Toyota to cover it since they had no answer for you. If the specialist have a solution, then contact Toyota to cover the fix.

Just a thought.

 

[doubletwins]

That's pretty good advice. I'm going to try to negotiate a deal with them to lease a new truck... maybe I can get them to give me a good deal on this one to trade in. It's worth a try.
Although, I did drive the GX470 yesterday. Wow. It is WAY nicer than my 4Runner. I'd love to get one of those.

 

[Wai]

On the Audi forum I go to, a guy got AoA to buy back his car because it vibrated at highway speeds. Audi couldn't figure out what the problem was. I don't think a vibration is life threatening. I've checked the law (for CO) and it doesn't say anything about having to be life threatening.

I highly doubt that squeaky brakes would qualify the car as a lemon. If the dealer can't fix it (5 times), it's more of their incompetence than anything else. And are you SURE they even tried to fix it? They probably have just stuck a air hose thru the wheel spokes and blew off the brake dust and called it a day.

As for vibration on the Audi, it's much more severe than you think. If it's not the wheels, then it would be very possible that it is caused by bent suspension components or even the chassis is not straight. In that case, the only ways to fix it would be straightening out the frame, replacing all the suspension parts, or just getting a new car. That's how Audi justified to "buy it back". For sqeaky brakes, I highly doubt it.

So as others have already mentioned, try a different place/dealer. Or just DIY. Take off the wheel and brake pads and see if everything is ok. Good luck!

 

[doubletwins]

Turns out that since I bought it with 1500 miles on it, it doesn't qualify for the lemon law. It has to be brand new. I'm gonna see if I can trade the POS in.

 

[Wai]

Squeaky brakes might be solved as simple as applying a layer of anti-squeal on the backing plate of the brake pads.

If you insist on calling it a piece of shit because of that, so be it. My tires squeal too when I take a corner fast. :dunno:

 

[doubletwins]

This is not your typical brake squeak. At low speeds when I slow down, it sounds like a really loud whistling noise coming from my brakes. If I'm just driving aroung a parking lot, it is really annoying and embarassing. Here I am driving a brand new almost $40K truck, and it sounds like someone is killing a pig in it. I loved my 98 4Runner before this one, that is why I bought this one. I'm not calling your truck a POS, just the one I happened to buy. Has anyone else been through 3 radio's yet too? My CD player broke in the first one. The second one's volume control broke. Now, I'm on my third. I really couldn't/wouldn't recommend this vehicle to anyone.

 

[Wai]

This is not your typical brake squeak. At low speeds when I slow down, it sounds like a really loud whistling noise coming from my brakes. If I'm just driving aroung a parking lot, it is really annoying and embarassing. Here I am driving a brand new almost $40K truck, and it sounds like someone is killing a pig in it. I loved my 98 4Runner before this one, that is why I bought this one. I'm not calling your truck a POS, just the one I happened to buy. Has anyone else been through 3 radio's yet too? My CD player broke in the first one. The second one's volume control broke. Now, I'm on my third. I really couldn't/wouldn't recommend this vehicle to anyone.

Sorry to hear about all the problems you have. It's hard to believe that so many things went wrong in your car, even the radio broke 3 times.

Even if we assume that your car was a demo and was being abused by the test drivers, it still doesn't explain why the radio would go bad after replacement.

 

[Guest]

I've heard the same comments regarding bad radios from Nissan Murano owners.
As for the brakes, with what little info we have and not to take away from your problem, it sounds like the dealer just isn't doing a complete fix.

If the squeal only happens when you apply the brakes, it must be pads, rotors or both.
Yes, I would be totally pissed if it was me so I am sympathetic.
Are you sure the dealer isn't just jerking you around? Did they really do the repairs they claim?

 

[Thai]

Just a quick note: the GX470 is NOT without it's little problems. I suggest that you do more research into the GX470 before jumping boat! The GX470 has two infamous problems: clunking during braking and steering vibrations at highway speed. Both of these problems currently has no true official solution. These problems affects a minority of GX, but a significant amount nonetheless.

So, be careful. Personally, i would go for the LX470 simply because it's a proven machine with no problems whatsoever.

Just a thought.

 

[doubletwins]

I doubt that I'll be able to get a GX470 anyways. I'll be lucky to get them to trade me for another 4Runner. I did talk to the GM of the dealership today, along with the service manager, and they seemed to want to help me. I guess we'll have to see.

BTW: I don't think that ANY vehicle has no problems. Something will always go wrong. Some more within reason.

 

[Guest]

Good luck with getting things resolved. I know how one thing like that can take away from the enjoyment of the truck.

Hope it gets fixed right and you can really appreciate what a great truck it is!

Hey, if it gets fixed, chalk it up to bad dealer service and not the 4R ok? 4R pride

 

[Thai]

Well, if you want the ultimate trouble-free car, then there is only ONE that stands above all else...Lexus LS430. It had the lowest initial problems/100 vehicle BY FAR of any other vehicle since day 1, according to JD Powers. Yes, even in it's FIRST year of production, it had the fewest of any other car...the next one had more than twice it's problems!!:eek2:

 

[Thai]

Again, this pic applies....

Oh man, sorry, this pic just makes me crack up!

 

[msanta]

I have exactly what doubletwins have. It's a whistling at low speeds, specially when I depress the pedal, not when I step on it which is very uncommon. when the brakes are cold I don't hear it, as soon as the brakes warm up the whistling comes, and it's very loud. It's coming I believe from thright wheel. the dealer says it's normal, and I hatte those kind of answers...

 

[Jim_Chow]

[snip]

So, be careful. Personally, i would go for the LX470 simply because it's a proven machine with no problems whatsoever.

Just a thought.

Except for the hydraulic suspension accumulators, which are going on a number of 99's now. If you have to replace the hydraulic lifting shocks, it's like $8K. Then the master cylinder, since it doesn't have a brake booster (uses an electric pump), costs $1100 (vs. $150 for the FZJ80 master).

 

[DaveS]

I would push them to change the rotors for you before things go any further and they start the normal wear and tear argument. Chances are nobody really cared about bedding the brakes in when this was a demo and the rotors could be warped if they were abused at this early stage. As somebody else suggested, get an independent assessment if necessary (threatening to do this might also yield results anyway)..

Good luck!!