Laws vary by state, and some are basically useless.
My state has a pretty good one and favors the consumer as well it should.
Under the Maine Automobile Lemon Law, if the consumer reports serious defects to the dealer or manufacturer during the express warranty period, within three years of the date of delivery or during the first 18,000 miles of operation (whichever is earlier), the Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to make the necessary repairs. If the manufacturer cannot fix the car within 4 attempts or if the car has been out of service for more than 15 business days, then the consumer has the right to argue the case before a State Arbitrator, free of charge. This hearing must come within 45 days of acceptance of the Lemon Law application and if the Arbitrator concludes that the car is indeed a Lemon, the consumer can receive either a new vehicle or the return of the purchase price.
Minnesota is not so good Lemon Law - MN Car Laws (state.mn.us)

 

The big part is the 4 attempts. For it to count they have to document the problem as the exact same problem 3 separate times and fail the 4th attempt to correct it. It would have to be a specific part or electrical issue causing a problem with that part which they fail to diagnose. Issues coming to lemon law resolution are extremely rare. What is less rare is a voluntary buyback. They buy it back, you sign a non-disclosure, and move on. Regardless, both have usage fees deducted from the buy back. It is much more productive and financially sound to work with your dealer or another dealer to just get the problem diagnosed and fixed.

 

Ya that's why all us keyboard worriers in the case of what is covered pertaining to Lemon laws in any state should consult an attorney. Research will find that very few by percentage Law firm will take on a Lemon law case pro bono because very few cases actually win, and most are settled out of court by an independent arbitrator in which a compromise is agreed by the owner and auto manufacture.
While I occasionally see on a forum some members claiming they got their vehicle replaced no one was willing to post the actual case number so could all see how that actually concluded?

 

Absolutely. I wouldn't give up on trying to have the car repaired, or replaced though if possible. Eventually someone has to fold, right?

 

Just remember, the dealer has deeper pockets and better access to experts and probably has attorneys on retainer, thus more willing to take things to the appellate process.

 

Just quoting you 2 because you both have points of consideration.


Maybe the MAZDA dealer contract or any automotive contract agreement between a independent and specifically independently own business auto dealership terms of use be researched. IMHO I think to many do not understand how it works, that dealerships are not responsible for defect of a vehicle new from the auto manufacture. Also, under the terms some things like what the dealership reports on a work order can at times not always be used as evidence in a Lemon Law case (this goes no matter what state) as I have been pointed out by the current one, I am participating in.

The other BIG consideration regarding this thread is that we don't have all the facts only one side from a member. So, we all can speculate and conclude our own story...

 

Quite accurate about the dealership and I should have used the word manufacturer. It's also possible that the manufacturer may try to throw the dealership under the bus, but, to do that, it would almost have to repair the vehicle satisfatorily.

 

A dealership can refuse to do any service on anyone's MAZDA and it is not breach of Mazda's contract with them.

 

I can't speak for specific contracts between an independent Mazda dealer and Mazda, but in Michigan the first part is not accurate. A Class A or B Dealer in Michigan must provide "prompt corrective" service and maintenance to a vehicle of any brand purchased at that dealer or any vehicle sharing a brand advertised as for sale by the dealership. If the dealer chooses not to have a registered onsite repair facility they must contract with a service facility within 10 miles of the dealership. The only car meeting the criteria to refuse service is a salvage or rebuilt title. MCL MVC 257.14

 

We consumers can never know what is going on "behind the scenes" of any dealership.
For any major vehicle issues (and other major purchases) I always contact corporate in addition to the local dealer.
On several occasions on new motorcycle purchases, corporate has made good to me, when the dealer wanted to do nothing (after claiming they had contacted corporate when they hadn't).
One place was so under handed (they never used to be) that corporate even threatened revocation of their products if they didn't fix my issue.
I learned after my repair that the dealership's son had taken over the business, wasn't a businessperson and was the cause of the issue (with others as well).
6 months later corporate yanked their products and the shop closed.
Additional experience has shown to me that it can pay to be nice to corporate folks. I once received two case fans (replacement and a spare) for a 4-year-old Digital Storm gaming PC whose fan had failed long after warranty. These were very expensive case fans made in Germany not sold to the general public.
I contacted corporate telling them how much I liked the product and how could I purchase a new case fan and the person I spoke with said he would send me the info.
A week later I received two fans free of charge with a nice note from the person I spoke with plus a note from the fan manufacturer on how to contact them directly should I ever need another.
Same with a very expensive Samsung washing machine which we had issues with. Local store wanted to do nothing I called Samsung corporate, and they were aware of the issue and said they would take care of it. The next day the local chain store called me back and said they would pick up the washer and that Samsung had given me full credit for another washer at the store and that I could choose whatever brand I wanted.