Using Michigan's Lemon Law

[robmock]

Loved my 24 Maverick...until it gave me the "stop safely now" message in my driveway and became a brick (~5000 mi).

Dealer found the cause to be faulty HV battery, so ordered one from Ford mother ship. Ford engineer put a freeze on the battery. Now a dealer vs Corporate battle.

Had my awesome truck for 8 weeks, now dealer has had it for 4. Today used BBB site to try to get a fix or replacement. Corporate trying to offer me extended warranty plan to get me to take her back home UNFIXED.

Hoping MI Lemon Laws help he out

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[Toddman45]

That sucks I wish you the best of luck with getting it resolved quickly. Nobody wants a new car with issues, that's unusable.

 

[Clarkdonbran]

When life gives you lemon laws make that claim! See about getting a lemon law lawyer too. You deserve your truck fixed and the extended warranty. I got $5k for my claim and my truck fixed. I bought an extended warranty with it.

 

[robmock]

Thanks!
I am suspicious the CSR offered me the extended 5yr warranty because the 30 days is almost up.
Now that they'd go past the Lemon Law threshold no matter what they do, it seems my truck is suddenly worth some attention.

 

[Oscarcat]

Definitely use an attorney that specializes in lemon law in your state. There are hoops and hurdles designed into the law and you must meet them to "qualify". Some are time related. Some are service attempts. Loopholes that only someone familiar with how to make your laws apply can devine.

 

[Mike215]

This guy is in Michigan and used to write for Jalopnik.com

https://lehtoslaw.com/

 

[RickyD]

I'd contact your state attorney general office. I've had great luck with our AG when dealing with unresponsive businesses.
Good luck!

 

[robmock]

Update: Picked up my Maverick today... not fixed. I had felt the issue *may likely* never recur, so am ok with driving it (my wife, the smart one in our relationship, is less convinced and is scared to ride in it now).
Dealer had it 39 days (and put ~200mi on it) and could not reproduce the bricking behavior, & the service mgr converted from "I want to fix it" to "I would take it home". When I told law office he said that, they recommended I get the truck back. Am now waiting for the BBB process to play out, then they said the safety issue is real & value of the truck is greatly diminished, so the Lemon Law can still be used.
One positive note: the Ford CSR who was almost completely un-helpful did [as 30 days was nearing] give me the "premium 5 year extended warranty", so, as long as the truck doesn't kill/maim me, I can sell it in 2029...but who is going to buy it, and is it even legal to sell it when it could take away your power/control on the freeway, making a left in front of traffic, or crossing some railroad tracks? Will update as info becomes available. (am leaving a ton of details out, as this post is already ginormous, but everything I've written is accurate)
PS- My wife wants me to mention: What makes the premium 5 year warranty so great, considering Ford won't fix it, even though it's already "under warranty"?

 

[robmock]

Had it back for 4 days, then back to the dealer. (Today is their 40th day with it)
This time they think it's the inverter.
Lawyer wants me to wait until the BBB process plays out, to see what Ford wants to do before proceeding.

Pic taken in my driveway, not on road

 

[OleFordGuy]

Wouldn't keep anything I can't feel comfortable being reliable. Especially new. Happy Wife, Happy Life. Good Luck.

 

[robmock]

Through the BBB, today Ford offered to buy-back my truck. A good sign. I had the BBB rep make a counter offer that I'd keep my truck IF they extended the 'premium' warranty out to 10 years.
Denied (same day!). I had a Kia some years ago that had a 10yr/100k powertrain, so I figured it was worth a shot.
So now I have my sales rep looking around for a comparable Maverick (sliiiim chances there) while I wait for Ford to come up with their specific #.
Haven't officially hired lawyer yet. In MI the mfr has to pay their fees, but I'm kind of enjoying advocating for myself (how does that old saw go? Someone representing themself has a fool for a client?)
With the 'premium' 5 yr warranty and a now precise diagnosis, I may end up keeping it. After dealing with 2 very crappy CSR's and developing a pretty bad attitude, I'm starting to feel like things are going to be ok.
Maybe that could go on my headstone.

 

[ABTremor]

I have to agree with your wife. Let Ford do a buy back of the truck and find another one if you still want a Maverick.

I went through the buy back process way back in 1995 with an F150. Ford bought back the truck, basically refunding the out the door purchase price and tossed in a 2k "credit" if I purchased another Ford, which I did. That new truck never gave me any problems during my ownership.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I'm starting to feel like things are going to be ok.
Maybe that could go on my headstone.

Love it. Reminded me of this…

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