My Aura XR is a lemon, need advice on compensation

[CrAzY_PaNdA]

I bought a 2007 XR in the fall of 2006, I've put just under 10,500 miles on it.

It has been in the shop three times for the same problem (engine misfiring). The third trip seems to have fixed it, however, the car has developed numerous other issues in the past 2,000 miles or so:

1. The breaking has become a disaster. Very little stopping power, and the car essentially bucks and wobbles when you break (and sometimes even when it simply down-shifts). Had the breaks checked by an independent shop, they said they were fine.

2. The suspension is beyond uncomfortable. The car feels like it slides and wants to keep going in the same direction as its momentum when going around a corner (say, turning right at an intersection). When changing lanes gradually on the highway (not sharply), it feels like its wobbling from side to side, and essentially doesn't feel like it's going in the direction the steering wheel is telling it to. This isn't just a matter of ride comfort, the suspension feels like it's barely holding the wheels on the car.

3. A "popping sound" when accelerating from a stop, or turning the wheel while stationary.

4. Transmission feels like its slipping/having trouble upshifting. As noted earlier, downshifting generates a bucking feeling like a poorly downshifted manual transmission would.

5. The sunroof has started leaking, and I checked it for any debris that might be caught in it. As it turns out, I can very easily stick a playing card in between the seal and the roof of the car. It's not exactly what I would call watertight at this point...

That said, literally just yesterday I sent in the final payment of the car and I now own it. I had also purchased an extended 5/60,000 powertrain warranty back when it was only 3/36,000 standard (before GM upgraded it to 10/100,00 and then downgraded it to 5/100,000 standard).

So the vehicle is still under warranty, but the issue is, I don't want a money pit when my warranty expires.

The car doesn't even have 11,000 miles on it, and yet it drives and handles like it has 100,000. It was great for the first 8,000, now it's just a nightmare to drive.

Am I entitled to some serious compensation for this? With all options considered, I paid just under $30,000 for it. How much of it can I get back to put into a more reliable vehicle? If they can't do that, is it unreasonable to ask for a brand new 0 mileage replacement XR even after two and a half years of ownership?

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[SaturnSdn]

Post your VIN so I can look up the cars service history, you can PM it to me.

[dishdude]

Lemon laws vary by state, I know in PA it is only for 1 year.

[Kooler King]

Originally Posted by CrAzY_PaNdA

I bought a 2007 XR in the fall of 2006, I've put just under 10,500 miles on it.

...

5. The sunroof has started leaking, and I checked it for any debris that might be caught in it. As it turns out, I can very easily stick a playing card in between the seal and the roof of the car. It's not exactly what I would call watertight at this point...

My co-worker's son had a similar problem with an early Aura XR. It's sun roof leaks could not be fixed after multiple trips. I believe it was the over-sized "panaramic" sunroof that was dropped after 2007 ... probably because its engineering was unworkable.

After being unable to resolve this, this guy's son pressed GM / Saturn on this with the California Lemon Law. They offered to replace the car with a new one in lieu of a cash settlement. He wanted cash, but they were strongly pushing offers to replace the vehicle (easier for GM to give an excess car rather than cash they don't have). This guy held out for the $ as he didn't trust Saturn for whatever reason, and they gave it to him.

I think the panaramic sunroof used on some 2007's is design defective and can't be fixed, so there may be cause for action. I'd go the lemon law route and see if they'll replace the vehicle with a new one.

[CrAzY_PaNdA]

Originally Posted by Kooler King

My co-worker's son had a similar problem with an early Aura XR. It's sun roof leaks could not be fixed after multiple trips. I believe it was the over-sized "panaramic" sunroof that was dropped after 2007 ... probably because its engineering was unworkable.

After being unable to resolve this, this guy's son pressed GM / Saturn on this with the California Lemon Law. They offered to replace the car with a new one in lieu of a cash settlement. He wanted cash, but they were strongly pushing offers to replace the vehicle (easier for GM to give an excess car rather than cash they don't have). This guy held out for the $ as he didn't trust Saturn for whatever reason, and they gave it to him.

I think the panaramic sunroof used on some 2007's is design defective and can't be fixed, so there may be cause for action. I'd go the lemon law route and see if they'll replace the vehicle with a new one.

This isnt the panoramic roof unfortunately, they stopped making them at the time I had purchased my car.

Is it unreasonable for me to expect them to just straight up trade my 07 for a comparable 09 without any additional costs incurred to me?

This is the lemon law for my state (NH) btw:

The New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board consists of 5 members and three alternates representing the following groups:

* Consumers (3 consumer representatives).
* Dealers.
* Mechanics.

The Arbitration Board conducts hearings after the owner or lessee of the problem vehicle has documented one of the following:

* At least three unsuccessful warranted repair attempts to correct a defect or nonconformity.
* 30 or more business days out-of-service during the warranty period for warranted problems.
* The alleged defect(s) or condition(s) must not be the result of abuse, neglect, unauthorized modifications

I have already had the car in the shop to repair the same problem 3 times. The third time seems to have fixed it....for now. I'd say it's only been in the shop roughly 10 cumulative days.

[Seasoned]

Before anyone gets bent out of shape promoting "Lemon Laws' how about if 'crazy panda' gives us more information on his/her relationship with their dealer and the dealers response to these issues. I notice that you do not give, other than repair visits for engine issues, any indication that you have tried to work with the dealer to work out these issues.
Please expand!

IMHO:

- Certainly, based on the threads discussed on this forum, I would have to believe that there is a fix for the transmission issue. It sounds like it just needs to be reflashed, although you mention nothing about service to the transmission.

- The braking issue sounds like "warped" rotors. Some of us have been fortunate to have these fixed (at least the first time) under warranty.
You do not describe any service on the brakes.

- The suspension issue sounds unusual, however, there must be an issue if you say it behaves that way. I would assume you have checked the obvious things like tire pressure. My 2007 XR has been excellent in the handling department. Again, you do not mention any servicing on the suspension issue.

If the car is still under warranty, why are you not getting it to the dealer and getting help with the issues?
Other owners have tried this. Some have succeeded and some have not. Those that have not have used the Saturn hotline to get help.

Before you consider "Lemon Laws" (Remember you have had the car for 2 1/2 years already), maybe you should work with your dealer first.
Documentimg all of the issues and the dealers reply will help a tremendous amount if you end up in litigation.

IMHO - I don't believe you would be entitled to any "Serious Compensation" or replacement of your vehicle with a '0' mileage vehicle, however, you guys in america have a love affair with litigation so nothing would surprise me.


Before anyone asks the question, I am not a dealer or connected with any dealers in any way, nor am I employed by GM.

[montanaxvi]

I'm more than impressed/amazed/jealous that you paid off a just under $30,000 (in your words) car in under 3 years!!

With that aside, I would try to work with the dealer and see what they can come up with. You stated you took the BRAKE issue to an independent shop and they said that they were within spec, did your dealer say the same thing?

Also all the other problems you don't mention if the dealer looked into them or if you even mentioned it to them yet.

I can't imagine that the dealer wouldn't work out these issues, or if not your dealer maybe another Saturn dealer in your area?

[AuraDrvr89]

I agree with seasoned.

I would not call this car a lemon. You are experiencing normal problems.

1. Sounds like Warped rotors. Happens on any vehicle.
2. You may be on to something here. Let the techs decide.
3. Faulty Intermediate steering shaft. Very common on many GM vehicles.
4. There has been a transmission software update to cure these issues.
5. I would say sunroofs generally become problematic. This will likely be repaired.

Your Aura is not a lemon. These issues will be covered under warranty, and with the exception of rotors, and possibly sunroof leaks, you may never experience any of these issues again.

[khansen30]

While the Aura has less than 11k miles on it, it is still over 2 years old. Time will have it's toll on many aspects of the vehicle and it must still be kept in check. My wifes 08 is a year and a half off the lot and has 5000 miles on it. Yet I still have ite checked every 5 months to make sure everything is okay.

I agree with the others that it is not a lemon, just a car that has some problems that can be fixed. The lemon word is thrown out way to easy these days.

[respawn22]

With the suspension problem you might want to check the tire air pressure. I've had that happen on mine before - just low enough to be considered "mushy" but not low enough to trip the TPMS sensor. Once I filled it back up to the correct pressure it handled like a dream.


How did I know to check tire pressure? It happened on my wife's Impala before - her rear wheel pressure was low and caused the car to handle really really wierd at 30mph+

Check them you might be suprised... I currently run my tires at 31 to 32 psi.

[mrwerner22]

the brake problem is most likely from warping, myself along with many other aura owners experienced the brakes warping around 10,000 miles, i had to take mine in around 11,500. I know with my rotors they were only covered up to 12,500 miles under warranty since it is a part that wears after time.

[SaturnSdn]

Why haven't you sent me your VIN ... just PM it to me so I can look up your AURA's service history.

[silverbugeye]

Intermediate shaft as mentioned happens alot. Noise while turning wheel when stopped gives that away.

With such low miles I would also guess that the tire flat spotting is some of the braking/ suspension concerns.

Those 18" tires love to flat spot. It seems the lower mileage cars have the worst problems.

[larrimer]

Originally Posted by dishdude

Lemon laws vary by state, I know in PA it is only for 1 year.

Agree with you.. But in case the problem should be fixed..!

Also, can get help from a skilled attorney...
here - Workers Compensation Lawyer