IowaCowboy
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? ME
We bought a used car in southern Maine October of 2011 (2001 Dodge Stratus 83,000 miles on odometer at time of sale). Dealer disclosed in the buyer's guide that there were no known problems. Car had Maine inspection sticker which was issued by the dealer (who also has inspection license). Car was brought to owner's residence in Massachusetts and was registered, insured, and passed both safety and smog check. Vehicle was given a 30 day 50/50 warranty by the dealer.
Two months later in January of 2012 and about 1000 miles later, vehicle was out of service as the A/C compressor seized up and destroyed the alternator belt. Later in the Spring of 2012, vehicle seems to be unusually low to the ground (as it was at the time of sale) and it hit an obstruction in the road and the catalytic converter sprung a leak where it meets the rest of the exhaust. Mechanic in Mass repaired the exhaust with a section of pipe. Vehicle is drivable for a few months more until the catalytic converter sprung another leak from hitting an uneven panel in a mall parking garage. This time, the leak is between the manifold and the intake on the catalytic converter. Vehicle is drivable except it has a loud exhaust. Now the check engine light is on.
Went to several shops and was turned away as the bolts that hold the catalytic converter to the manifold are rotted (rusted) and that they will most likely break off making replacement impossible. Rough repair estimate for the replacement of the entire exhaust system (was told entire exhaust was no good in Spring of 2012 when the temporary fix was applied) is at least $1000 (if not more). The cost of the catalytic converter is approximately $450 alone as it requires a direct fit catalytic converter specific to the vehicle but is available aftermarket. The temporary fix failed around July of 2012. Now the vehicle is making noises that sound like failure of the exhaust is imminent and vehicle will only be used for short trips (2-3 miles at most and no highway driving) and will be removed from service when the exhaust fails or the state inspection sticker runs out (whichever comes first). I am trying to see if I have ANY possible recourse against the dealer (federal law or the laws of the state of Maine, where the vehicle was purchased). Dealer seems to have absolutely no sympathy at all. First failure (A/C compressor) was repaired by the dealer and no discounts were given. We are also determining whether to repair the vehicle or replace/trade the vehicle because other serious defects may exist and show up after the vehicle is repaired.
Any advice would be welcome.
We bought a used car in southern Maine October of 2011 (2001 Dodge Stratus 83,000 miles on odometer at time of sale). Dealer disclosed in the buyer's guide that there were no known problems. Car had Maine inspection sticker which was issued by the dealer (who also has inspection license). Car was brought to owner's residence in Massachusetts and was registered, insured, and passed both safety and smog check. Vehicle was given a 30 day 50/50 warranty by the dealer.
Two months later in January of 2012 and about 1000 miles later, vehicle was out of service as the A/C compressor seized up and destroyed the alternator belt. Later in the Spring of 2012, vehicle seems to be unusually low to the ground (as it was at the time of sale) and it hit an obstruction in the road and the catalytic converter sprung a leak where it meets the rest of the exhaust. Mechanic in Mass repaired the exhaust with a section of pipe. Vehicle is drivable for a few months more until the catalytic converter sprung another leak from hitting an uneven panel in a mall parking garage. This time, the leak is between the manifold and the intake on the catalytic converter. Vehicle is drivable except it has a loud exhaust. Now the check engine light is on.
Went to several shops and was turned away as the bolts that hold the catalytic converter to the manifold are rotted (rusted) and that they will most likely break off making replacement impossible. Rough repair estimate for the replacement of the entire exhaust system (was told entire exhaust was no good in Spring of 2012 when the temporary fix was applied) is at least $1000 (if not more). The cost of the catalytic converter is approximately $450 alone as it requires a direct fit catalytic converter specific to the vehicle but is available aftermarket. The temporary fix failed around July of 2012. Now the vehicle is making noises that sound like failure of the exhaust is imminent and vehicle will only be used for short trips (2-3 miles at most and no highway driving) and will be removed from service when the exhaust fails or the state inspection sticker runs out (whichever comes first). I am trying to see if I have ANY possible recourse against the dealer (federal law or the laws of the state of Maine, where the vehicle was purchased). Dealer seems to have absolutely no sympathy at all. First failure (A/C compressor) was repaired by the dealer and no discounts were given. We are also determining whether to repair the vehicle or replace/trade the vehicle because other serious defects may exist and show up after the vehicle is repaired.
Any advice would be welcome.