Stellantis Lemon Law

[spd32177RAM]

As I write this post, it has been 95 days since the dealership took my truck, and they still don’t know how to fix it. The service manager says they are still at square one with the issue.

Stellantis never responded to the initial lemon law claim within the first 45 days, so we are now officially suing them. They have 20 business days to respond or have their attorney make an appearance in the case. The deadline is this Thursday, 2/27.

The service manager told me that the technician has spent well over 50 hours trying to diagnose the issue—and that doesn’t even include the time spent on comparative testing with a stock truck of the same model. It also doesn’t include the time of the top field tech from the area, who has spent roughly 10 days trying to diagnose the issue.

To me, that’s a lot of man-hours chasing a ghost. They could have rebuilt the engine by now.

Insane to me they are dragging this out and I can sense from the conversations with the service manager he agrees with me.

 

[HSKR R/T]

As I write this post, it has been 95 days since the dealership took my truck, and they still don’t know how to fix it. The service manager says they are still at square one with the issue.

Stellantis never responded to the initial lemon law claim within the first 45 days, so we are now officially suing them. They have 20 business days to respond or have their attorney make an appearance in the case. The deadline is this Thursday, 2/27.

The service manager told me that the technician has spent well over 50 hours trying to diagnose the issue—and that doesn’t even include the time spent on comparative testing with a stock truck of the same model. It also doesn’t include the time of the top field tech from the area, who has spent roughly 10 days trying to diagnose the issue.

To me, that’s a lot of man-hours chasing a ghost. They could have rebuilt the engine by now.

Insane to me they are dragging this out and I can sense from the conversations with the service manager he agrees with me.

Only issue with putting new engine is that it might not be an issue with the engine itself. With everything computer controlled and all the sensors that come into play, it could be a lot of things.

 

[spd32177RAM]

I have to imagine that within 95 days of having the truck they would have replaced just about everything they can possibly think of. Time for them to move on already. It's crazy.

 

[Chris82]

I’m about to start the process myself. I’m having electrical issues with the truck, 2025 Laramie. I did the lemon law process back in 2020 with my Chevy. The process took a couple months, and I got back all my money and they bought back the truck. I’m hoping that this will be the same outcome with this. I’ve learned that the process will also depend on which state you live in and how strict their lemon law criteria are. I live in NJ and they’re strict here so when it came down to it, the law firm representing GM offered me the buyback in lieu of court. Maybe they’ll do the same again or negotiate for an upgraded model.


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[Willwork4truck]

I have just finished a Lemon Law buyback with another Manufacturer... Here's my experience... Never done it .. Frustrated as heck.. continual run-around with 3 dealer(s) & manufacturer to resolve my Random "no start/electrical issue".... towed truck each time to closest dealer.. 48 total days in shop.. 5 shop visits.... 11 month old truck.. 12K ish miles as began symptoms... 20K ish miles as achieved a buyback..
I Called and agreed to attorney representation for one day... then after confirming with him 6-8 months was the standard length of a successful case... I requested no representation and began on my own to resolve.... I could not be with a new truck random no start that long....
Thoughts:
-Stop being frustrated.... I WAS but finally realized not to be... especially if you want to exercise your lemon law rights... total shop days and total shop visits are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in a Lemon Law case... Look up your own state laws... each vary.. mine was 4 visits or 30 total business days in shop.... One or the other... I could have and should have submitted with BBB.org on the 30 day as my vehicle was still in the shop.... Time is on your side in the case of a Lemon...
- Demand accurate receipts.... a chore... noting 50% of my receipts had inaccurate dates..... those did not show the actual "total" dates that the shop had my truck in their possession... luckily a pain but semi easy to have fixed as the tow dates are as arrived.. the second part is that to demand the accurate issue/s you reported are listed on shop tickets.. EACH TIME.. Never again will I accept a receipt not showing what I stated was occurring..
- was told some attorneys might first themselves utilize BBB.org (Better Business Bureau).... to submit the initial findings.. and in my case under warranty info in my Truck owners manual the BBB.org is listed for dispute resolution... so I decided myself to contact them... number listed on their site... I asked; if not resolved to my satisfaction; could I still pursue legal.. they said yes.. My state law specifically list the exact terms for a buyback.. Mine was simple calculation MSRP(since that is what I had paid /covid time) no loan, less some usage mileage... first 15K free... remainder at a determined rate... so really no negotiations just yes or no would they buy it back as a Lemon.. My state law is designed to make you whole as you were before the transaction.... but with no pain and suffering, no finance charges included. Excise and registration taxes WERE included though, but you must show proof by paid receipt..
BBB Process was simple & on-line.... answer 5 ish questions... Vin, mileage, symptoms, shop days, shop visits.. said after my initial call/submission.... BBB said yes: you seem to meet the requirements in your state SO we (BBB) will forward to manufacturer for their review... est. 14 days for their reply... exactly 14 days later.. Manufacturer emailed me directly & said yes you meet the buyback terms... upload a few more docs... (title, drivers licenses, registration) & within 30 days we will make you an offer... IF agree; arrange with dealer to surrender and get check... MY Total time from beginning with BBB was 7-8 weeks.... no court.... Not saying it wasn't stressful and frustrating but the outcome was positive.. Hang in there... Very Sorry your Experiencing issues with a new Truck..

Excellent write up. Very state dependent as well.
Sounds like you had a GM truck, based on the YT towing vids I’ve watched…

 

[Willwork4truck]

Update? Feb 27th has gone by…

 

[MDRAMOWNER]

I am going through the same issue with my 2025 RAM 1500 Laramie. Engine light started coming on with just 750 miles. Taken it to the dealership a total of six times. They started a STAR request with Stellantis. In the meantime, I hired an attorney which they filed last week. Hoping for a good outcome. I make sure to request documents each time it goes into the shop.

 

[USMUSL]

I'm in the process of a Lemon Lawsuit, as well. Filed the suit in November, but just settled on a buy back price in March. Waiting around for their third party "surrender" company to reach out and arrange the surrender date and location. The slow pace is frustrating, but really only hurts them; they have to pay all my finance charges, and I'm continuing to put mileage on a truck they are taking back. The only pain for me is the additional personal property tax I will be responsible for, since I still own it until surrender.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I'm in the process of a Lemon Lawsuit, as well. Filed the suit in November, but just settled on a buy back price in March. Waiting around for their third party "surrender" company to reach out and arrange the surrender date and location. The slow pace is frustrating, but really only hurts them; they have to pay all my finance charges, and I'm continuing to put mileage on a truck they are taking back. The only pain for me is the additional personal property tax I will be responsible for, since I still own it until surrender.

Not a very good negotiation if taxes aren't included in the buy back amount

 

[USMUSL]

Not a very good negotiation if taxes aren't included in the buy back amount

Well, thank you for your legal advice. As it happens, counselor, personal property taxes are not normally repaid under the negotiations/buybacks in my state unless the vehicle has been in the shop for a majority of the year in which said property taxes are levied. If you have experienced otherwise in Nebraska, its irrelevant here. Every state will have it's nuances established through previous negotiations and/or court decisions.

Actually, my attorney having all mileage removed from the settlement was big. Unlike others, I won't pay a "reasonable" cost per mile for the truck's usage. So, as they drag there feet on getting me the surrender place/date, I continue to drive the truck with no penalty. And, of course, all equity and finance charges that continue to accrue while I wait, they will pay.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Well, thank you for your legal advice. As it happens, counselor, personal property taxes are not normally repaid under the negotiations/buybacks in my state unless the vehicle has been in the shop for a majority of the year in which said property taxes are levied. If you have experienced otherwise in Nebraska, its irrelevant here. Every state will have it's nuances established through previous negotiations and/or court decisions.

Actually, my attorney having all mileage removed from the settlement was big. Unlike others, I won't pay a "reasonable" cost per mile for the truck's usage. So, as they drag there feet on getting me the surrender place/date, I continue to drive the truck with no penalty. And, of course, all equity and finance charges that continue to accrue while I wait, they will pay.

This was in California. About the only thing that wasn't covered, under the buyback I did, was fuel and insurance cost. There was no mileage deduction, wasn't even mentioned. I got full sales price, plus taxes and fees for registration and titleing. Even got paid for any aftermarket parts that I had on the vehicle that I couldn't remove.

 

[USMUSL]

This was in California. About the only thing that wasn't covered, under the buyback I did, was fuel and insurance cost. There was no mileage deduction, wasn't even mentioned. I got full sales price, plus taxes and fees for registration and titleing. Even got paid for any aftermarket parts that I had on the vehicle that I couldn't remove.

I got reimbursement for the aftermarket parts also. And, to be clear, the sales taxes, registration, and all associated fees of the purchase are being reimbursed. However, we also have biyearly personal property taxes here, which I have come to learn aren't normally reimbursed unless the vehicle is in the shop 50%+ of the time period being taxed. Mine was in the shop 61 days of the first 100, but not 50+% of the time period in question.

Since you were in California, I'm sure you were hit with all kinds of taxes! Good that you were reimbursed. It may or may not have had to do with the way the Lemon laws are written in our individual states. I did hit my attorney pretty hard on it several times, but he was adamant that the property taxes were out. Normally, you have to pay a "reasonable" cost for the mileage accrued, but he was able to negotiate that out.