2023 Lightning ER dead at dealer for 6 weeks...

[TaxmanHog]

What "buyback process"? To my knowledge, the old lemon laws vary from state to state

Buy-Back is an administrative process that Ford uses to reacquire the vehicle, side-stepping the Lemon Law / potentially Litigious process.

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[Whammy Bar]

Buy-Back is an administrative process that Ford uses to reacquire the vehicle, side-stepping the Lemon Law / potentially Litigious process.

To add, there's also a sizable cash appeasement in lieu of repurchase to try and right the situation while keeping you in the vehicle.

I think I was initially offered $16,000 for the ongoing battery issues in mine. As a rough number for conversation purposes.

 

[Firn]

What "buyback process"? To my knowledge, the old lemon laws vary from state to state, and I can pretty much promise you that Missouri (where it was purchased) and Kansas (where its titled) don't give a crap about that sort of liberal stuff.

If someone knows otherwise, please explain.

Nothing "liberal" about it and both states have Lemon Laws on the books.

Fwiw, Ford will likely "decline" the buyback on the first attempt (do you blame them?). But push a little harder and they seem to work with you. As was said the Ford buyback program is just Ford getting ahead of a time consuming and expensive "lemon" legal process.

Everything i have seen here is that Ford will work with you. The dealer may be a different story, but they don't seem to be the deciding factor here (but be aware they can still slow the process).

 

[chl]

Bummer. Should have given you a loaner by now.
Most ext warranties would have a loaner/rental provision.

Some states lemon laws would NOT apply to commercial use vehicles - sounds like maybe yours is used for 'farming?' so that might be a catch. Probably a good idea to consult a lemon lawyer (one who specializes in such actions) if it comes down to that.

Either with a buyback or a lemon law decision, there could be some depreciation based on use/mileage.

Under the lemon law sometimes the manufacturer will be required to provide a brand new comparable replacement vehicle acceptable to you, or buy the one with the issue back with some allowance for the use (based on mileage). That's a forced buy back, versus the voluntary buyback by negotiating with Ford without litigation.

You should put the problem into a letter to Ford Motor Cmpany and send it certified mail with signed return receipt or at least priority mail with delivery confirmation signature service (keep a copy as well), include a timeline of your efforts to have the problem fixed from start to present, include any communications with the repair dealership, include names of all the folks you have dealt with, etc. All this detail will help IF you ever need to see a lawyer about it.

Some states require you put your notification of a lemon law claim into writing to the manufacturer - a "best evidence" rule. Cite the Missouri lemon law (look it up on line perhaps or consult a law library).

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[cdherman]

Kansas lemon law ceases at 1 year of ownership. So that's gone. Called the Ford BEV number -- they tried to "reach the dealership" but the tech was unavailable so they sent an email.........

Really bad taste in our mouth right now. About 8 weeks no vehicle. Extended warranty specifically has the "declines loaner option" checked so no loaner either.

My brother was loving this vehicle. Could turn out to be the last Ford he owns.

edit: decided to add this bit -- my dad, still alive, bought a 1965 F100 when I was a little boy. Drove that pickup in granny low when my feet could not hit the clutch as my dad threw out hay bales. I restored it around 20 years ago. I am NOT a negative person towards FoMoCo.

But this is gettin' crazy. Real "truck" owners cannot stomach this -- I get it, a lot of "trucks" are just pretty boy show pieces, but a bunch of them are also used as real work vehicles. If you are business and you lose a valuable piece of equipment for 2 months, you are not going back to that maker again for a long while, if ever.

 

[chl]

Kansas lemon law ceases at 1 year of ownership. So that's gone. Called the Ford BEV number -- they tried to "reach the dealership" but the tech was unavailable so they sent an email.........

Really bad taste in our mouth right now. About 8 weeks no vehicle. Extended warranty specifically has the "declines loaner option" checked so no loaner either.

My brother was loving this vehicle. Could turn out to be the last Ford he owns.

edit: decided to add this bit -- my dad, still alive, bought a 1965 F100 when I was a little boy. Drove that pickup in granny low when my feet could not hit the clutch as my dad threw out hay bales. I restored it around 20 years ago. I am NOT a negative person towards FoMoCo.

But this is gettin' crazy. Real "truck" owners cannot stomach this -- I get it, a lot of "trucks" are just pretty boy show pieces, but a bunch of them are also used as real work vehicles. If you are business and you lose a valuable piece of equipment for 2 months, you are not going back to that maker again for a long while, if ever.

It's a shame.

But, there may still be legal remedies even if the lemon law is no longer an option.

A manufacturing defect would be one situation where you might still be entitled to some recovery.

Maybe there is a lawyer around your area that can access the situation if Ford will not buy back the truck? They usually advertise themselves as being a "lemon law lawyer" but ask around.

There is something called the UCC (Universal Commercial Code) that has been adopted in most states in some form or another that gives some broad consumer protections generally. But there may be other ways to recover or none at all.

Just document everything even if the lemon law is not an option.

I am an attorney admitted in Virginia and practice Patent Law (also an EE) so I am not an expert in consumer law, nor am I familiar with the laws in your state.

I am just suggesting that there MAY be other options besides the state lemon law.

To be sure you need to get in touch with an attorney knowledgeable in that area of the law in your state. Many will give a free consultation to evaluate your potential claim.

In the mean time, put some pressure on Ford to make things right ASAP!

Good luck.

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