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American Suzuki Motors Corporation 45 Days in shop for First 3 month on new car; Suzuki told me to file lemon law; refused to pay legal fees. Brea, California
On May 19th, 2004, I took delivery of a new 2004 Suzuki Verona with 11 miles on it.
A few hours delivery, it stalled, and stalled nearly every day. I usually did not know it stalled, since the radio and air conditioning fan were still running. I took it to Steve Castrucci Suzuki on Colerain Ave., the had it for three days, and "no problem found." and it was returned to me. There were 2 other minor problems, rough cold start, and the digital climate control display malfunctioning, also, no problem found. (On the second visit, I had a DVD-Video of the climate control malfunctioning.)
The vehicle continued to stall nearly every day. I searched the NHTSA database, and found numerous stalling complaints on this car. If you search the database there, you will see dozens of complaints for stalling. (I have it linked on my website below) In addition, when the IIHS crash tested the vehicle, the driver's seat belt came unfastened, AND the airbag deployed improperly DUE TO REVERSED AIRBAG WIRES. There was a recall for both of these issues.
I took the car back to the dealer for a second visit, and they must have called Suzuki and realized there was a problem with this car, and this visit they had the car for 42 days! They had other cars with the same problem!
I made numerous calls to American Suzuki Motor Corporation, and was always promised a call back within 24 hours, I always made sure I was near the phone in case they called, they NEVER called me back.
I told the dealer that my calls were not being returned, and he had the Cincinnati area Suzuki rep return my call, FINALLY. I politely informed him that this car met the requirement for a lemon, and asked for it to be repurchased under the Ohio lemon law. He told me that I would have to file a lemon law complaint, and that I would not need an attorney. I was NOT going to do it without an attorney, so I hired Ron Burdge (www.ohiolemonlaw.com).
On 31 August 2004, he sent a pre-suit request to Suzuki. Several weeks later, no response, do I registered the domain name www.suzukiveronasucks.com and www.mysuzukilemon.com and began putting information on my website about the car, the company, and my dealings with Suzuki.
Now, Suzuki agrees to repurchase my car, but NOT pay my attorney fees, (as required by Ohio law), and ONLY if I "voluntarily" remove my website, and never speak of Suzuki again on the internet in any way. They threatened to sue ME for my site if my attorney files a lemon case. I have all documents between attorneys on my website, www.suzukiveronasucks.com. The website and lemon issue are 2 separate issues. The lemon law does not include a clause that I cannot voice my dissatisfaction with Suzuki on the internet, or anywhere else.
I did legal research and asked three separate attorneys about my site, and they actually viewed my site, and I am told it is LEGAL. I spoke with Paul Levy from Public Citizen (www.citizen.org) in Washington D.C., and he has defended numerous cases that involve internet "gripe" sites, and they seemed very willing to take my case once Suzuki files.
So, in the first 3 months of having the car, it was out of service for 45 days (lemon), and Suzuki wants to takes away my First Amendment rights, and will not pay my legal fees.
Eric
Cincinnati, Ohio
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Joe
Kansas City,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Rebadged Daewoo's
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, October 26, 2004
Just in case you didn't know the Verona is a rebadged Daewoo, after seeing some of the complaints about the other Korean cars I guess I would expect the one manufacturer that couldn't hack it would have terrible quality.
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Attn-NATALIE ..Suzuki is at the bottom of the JD POWERS survey
#13Author of original report
Mon, October 18, 2004
Nalalie
I just found out Suzuki is at the bottom of the JD POWERS survey...no wonder
Anyway, can you email me your repair orders and a detailed story to add to my site?
Lets get Suzukis attnetion
My email address is on my website. go to www.suzukiaeriosucks.com ...
Suzuki SUCKS!
Thanks for your support!!
Natalie
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Suzuki Sucks!
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, October 18, 2004
Suzuki SUCKS! I'm going thru the same thing. My Suzuki Aerio kept stalling but the Suzuki maintenence department told me that there was nothing wrong and no problem found during the test. The told me it is typical of the car to also "suck air" when the gas gauge becomes low. I think you have to actually be in an accident to get the a Suzuki serviced at a licensed Suzuki dealer EVEN IF there is a mechanical failure / SERIOUS safety hazards!!!
My new Suzuki Aerio has now been at the dealership for servicing for a month. I wrote two letters to Suzuki Corporate, Customer Relations in Brea, CA and NO RESPONSE!
I would like to contact the editor of Car and Driver Magazine. Suzuki keeps getting rave reviews for the Aerio, best car of 2004. They definitley deserve BAD press. The Aerio SUCKS!!!! Best rip of company of 2004.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Watch The Reasonable Fees
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, October 17, 2004
Eric, watch the reasonable fees part.
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Cory...not how it work in Ohio...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, October 16, 2004
Cory...you should go to my site and click on the LEGAL DOCUMENTS tab.
I ASKED Suzuki to buy it back, they said NO, "Go file a lemon law suit"
My attorney sent a PRE-SUIT request.
Suzuki has NO abitration in Ohio.
I did what Suzuki said, and also the law reads:
ORC 1845.72(B) the manufacturer is liable for any expense incurred by the consumer as a result of the non conformity.
Obviously, this would include attorney's fees.
IN ADDITION, SINCE I DID ASK THEM TO BUY IT BACK:
Section 1345.75
(A) Any consumer may bring a civil action in a court of common pleas or other court of competent jurisdiction against any manufacturer if the manufacturer fails to comply with section 1345.72 of the Revised Code and, in addition to the relief to which the consumer is entitled under that section, shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.
They will pay my legal fees, trust me...
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Cory...not how it work in Ohio...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, October 16, 2004
Cory...you should go to my site and click on the LEGAL DOCUMENTS tab.
I ASKED Suzuki to buy it back, they said NO, "Go file a lemon law suit"
My attorney sent a PRE-SUIT request.
Suzuki has NO abitration in Ohio.
I did what Suzuki said, and also the law reads:
ORC 1845.72(B) the manufacturer is liable for any expense incurred by the consumer as a result of the non conformity.
Obviously, this would include attorney's fees.
IN ADDITION, SINCE I DID ASK THEM TO BUY IT BACK:
Section 1345.75
(A) Any consumer may bring a civil action in a court of common pleas or other court of competent jurisdiction against any manufacturer if the manufacturer fails to comply with section 1345.72 of the Revised Code and, in addition to the relief to which the consumer is entitled under that section, shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.
They will pay my legal fees, trust me...
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Cory...not how it work in Ohio...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, October 16, 2004
Cory...you should go to my site and click on the LEGAL DOCUMENTS tab.
I ASKED Suzuki to buy it back, they said NO, "Go file a lemon law suit"
My attorney sent a PRE-SUIT request.
Suzuki has NO abitration in Ohio.
I did what Suzuki said, and also the law reads:
ORC 1845.72(B) the manufacturer is liable for any expense incurred by the consumer as a result of the non conformity.
Obviously, this would include attorney's fees.
IN ADDITION, SINCE I DID ASK THEM TO BUY IT BACK:
Section 1345.75
(A) Any consumer may bring a civil action in a court of common pleas or other court of competent jurisdiction against any manufacturer if the manufacturer fails to comply with section 1345.72 of the Revised Code and, in addition to the relief to which the consumer is entitled under that section, shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.
They will pay my legal fees, trust me...
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Cory...not how it work in Ohio...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, October 16, 2004
Cory...you should go to my site and click on the LEGAL DOCUMENTS tab.
I ASKED Suzuki to buy it back, they said NO, "Go file a lemon law suit"
My attorney sent a PRE-SUIT request.
Suzuki has NO abitration in Ohio.
I did what Suzuki said, and also the law reads:
ORC 1845.72(B) the manufacturer is liable for any expense incurred by the consumer as a result of the non conformity.
Obviously, this would include attorney's fees.
IN ADDITION, SINCE I DID ASK THEM TO BUY IT BACK:
Section 1345.75
(A) Any consumer may bring a civil action in a court of common pleas or other court of competent jurisdiction against any manufacturer if the manufacturer fails to comply with section 1345.72 of the Revised Code and, in addition to the relief to which the consumer is entitled under that section, shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.
They will pay my legal fees, trust me...
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Ohio Lemon Law
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, October 15, 2004
Eric, I went to the Ohio Attorney General's web site. It has the steps to take if one's vehicle falls under Ohio lemon law. It says"If the automaker does not have an arbitration program... or you don't agree with the outcome of the arbitration, you may take the case to court. You can file a civil suit to recover the purchase price of the vehicle and any attorney's fees you have occured. As soon as you retained an attorney, the first aspect was shut down. Now you're in a legal battle. Suzuki has offered to repurchase your vehicle based on the other two conditions:A, you pay your own legal fees, and 2, you shut down your site(s) and postings. If you don't agree, you might end up paying a pot load of legal fees on something Suzuki has already agreed to do. The court may or may not award legal fees or a percentage of. There are aspects of your first post I totally agree with. I agree your vehicle was a POS, and it ought to fall under the lemon law, and Suzuki should repurchase it for the price paid. When I typed in Ohio lemon law, into google, the first few sites were attorney's site, all looking to cash in. What I don't agree with is, you didn't follow the Ohio Attorney General's steps, went out on your own, which you're entitled to do, under the law, hired an attorney, and now want to go back under the steps and not suffer an consequences. If you want to play you got to pay. 04 LIGHTNING#3064. Born 4/14/04.
Eric
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Ohio law STATES the comsumer is ENTITLED to have the manufacuter PAY ALL LEGAL FEES
#13Author of original report
Fri, October 15, 2004
TO CORY
First, let me say that you must not have read my complaint. I ASKED SHITZUKI to buy it back. They said to file with the court.
On a $20000 car...this is NOT something you do without an attorney.
Sure, Suzuki said "you dont need an attorney" because they have a better shot at winning!
Ohio law STATES the comsumer is ENTITLED to have the manufacuter PAY ALL LEGAL FEES
So, obvioulsy, you must drive a $500 car.
Shitzuki left me with NO OPTIONS!
You think I am unjustified in "whining" when a brand new car is in the shop 45 days in the first 3 months?
I did not have my cake, and I did not eat it, hell, I never saw the damned thing,
TO ROBERT
Thanks much! They messed with the bull, and they got the horns. My major complaint is against American Suzuki Motors Corp, and they are in California...
I want to KEEP my site, to warn others. I will NOT sell it to them. I dont want others to get screwed (well, Cory, you go buy a Suzuki, ok? you deserve it)
Thanks
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Cake And Eat It Too
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, October 14, 2004
I thought the whole point of the lemon laws was to avoid hiring an attorney. Why should Suzuki pay your legal fees? In your manual, the lemon laws are usually spelled out, what steps to take. Suzuki told you to to file under the lemon laws and that an attorney wasn't needed. All the steps needed to be taken. You got on the web, saw some sites and found an attorney on one of those sites. Now you have to pay the consequenses of your actions, including the attorney's fees. Suzuki has agreed to repurchase your vehicle with some stipulations. Agree or don't agree. In your final sentance, you say; in the first 3 months....., my First Amendment rights..., and then legal fees..., but fail to say Suzuki agreed to buy back my vehicle.Stop whinning.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Go for it Eric
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, October 14, 2004
Stick it to them. You have done your homework and know to follow through. You are 1 out of a 1000. That is why the dealership and the factory don't know how to behave. They are used to dealing with people who don't read the contract(can't read is more like it), can't spell or speak proper English, and just let everyone walk over them like a doormat. When these zombies figure out they got jacked, they whine a bit and then take it. Then Suzuki met you. You let them know you weren't going to accept what they want to "give" you. Nowhere in your missive did I see where you asked them to "give" you anything, just make good on the contract for the vehicle you bought. You know, a good, safe, relible car. Good job on that website too. A#1!! Good info in there.
Tell Suzuki if they want the website down, add it to the settlement. Charge them for it. It belongs to you. As for Suzuki not caring about the 1st Ammendment in the US Constitution, you're right. Why should they? Suzuki is a Japanese company. They don't have the same freedoms we have(or at least used to). They do understand the idea of capitalism. Your site will hurt them in the pockets if it gets enough attention, and they know it. Tell them to buy it from you. Profit margins in building cars are pretty high so they shouldn't cry too loudly if you get a few bucks for your efforts. That's the American Way. Good luck.