In April 2020, our clients purchased a new 2020 Ford Explorer. The vehicle, fresh off the assembly line, soon began to reveal a series of malfunctions within months of ownership. The first sign of trouble surfaced in November 2020 with the third-row power seats. Despite extensive diagnostics and repairs, including addressing loose wiring, the vehicle continued to present new problems.
Routine recall repair work was carried out in December 2020, along with standard maintenance and tire pressure adjustment. By March 2021, the vehicle underwent regular maintenance procedures, including an oil change, tire rotation, and multi-point inspection. The Ford’s electrical and structural systems started showing serious problems shortly after.
January 2022 marked the onset of a series of repair visits that extended until August 2022. The vehicle manifested numerous concerns, including issues with the rear/360 camera, LH inlet exhaust leaks, and a loose left front seat control panel. Despite addressing recalls, performing software updates, and replacing components, the same issues stubbornly persisted.
The most recent visit in April 2023 unveiled persistent problems, including an exhaust smell, oil dripping, grease around the front wheel, and front axle leaks. Despite conducting exhaust system repairs, oil pan gasket replacement, axle seal replacement, and a catalytic converter recall, the problems remained unresolved.
Given the vehicle’s continued issues and the fact that it remained out of service for more than 60 calendar days, our client decided to seek legal recourse. Under the lemon laws in many states, if a vehicle spends an excessive amount of time in the repair shop, it may be considered a “lemon.” The specific amount of time varies by state, but it’s typically around 30 days in a year.
This doesn’t have to be 30 consecutive days; it can be a cumulative total throughout the year. In this case, the 2020 Ford Explorer remained out of service for more than 60 calendar days due to various issues. This period significantly exceeds the typical 30-day threshold, providing strong grounds for the vehicle to be classified as a lemon under the law. Our client soon sought legal assistance from the Lemon Law Experts.
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The decision to involve the Lemon Law Experts proved instrumental for this client. The manufacturer agreed to repurchase the 2020 Ford Explorer, reimbursing the client for all monies spent on the vehicle minus a usage fee and pay for their legal fees and costs. Our client expressed immense satisfaction with the resolution, which allowed them to part ways with the problematic Ford and replace it with a reliable new car.
If you suspect your vehicle might also qualify as a lemon, you can determine your eligibility for a refund, compensation, or alternative remedy by completing an online case evaluation form on our website today.
