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Lemon Laws

What if the Dealer Can't fix it?  - by Bruce Nunnally

Hopefully, when you buy your new Cadillac, you will get great usage out of it and be able to enjoy it with no issues.  But what if you DO have problems with it?  Lemon Laws are laws designed to protect you as a Consumer if a manufactuer fails to comply with their warranty.

How do Lemon Laws Work?
First, I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on the internet.  However, that said, the idea is that if you buy a new car and then the new car has problems that the dealer can not fix in a reasonable time or number of visits, the Dealer or Manufacturer is required to repurchase the car.

State Lemon Laws are often modelled after the US legislation Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975.  This legislation grants consumers the right to compensation if the manufacturer of an item under warranty is unable to conform to the warranty due to a defect or malfunction in the product sold.
 
Lemon Laws probably also apply if you lease your vehicle, just as the car warranty applies.

Take the Problem do the Dealer
First, if you are having any problem with a new Cadillac, you should go to a Cadillac Dealer and have the problem addressed under the 4 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.
Keep all receipts of any visits to the Dealer.  Important issues are what the problem was that you arrived with, what the Dealer found, the date, and the mileage.

Meanwhile, discussion forums like the one here at Caddyinfo.com can be very valuable in researching if other owners have seen and solved similar problems.

Next, if the Dealer can't fix it...
Next, if the Dealer can't fix the problem, ask that the problem be escalated to the Regional Cadillac Representative.   That is the normal escalation route, and the Regional Rep may have more insight into the problem your car is having, and what solutions the factory is working on.
 
What if no one can fix it?
If the Dealer can't fix the car, and Cadillac can't fix the car, then it is perhaps time to look at your state Lemon Laws.  It may be a good time to contact an Attorney as well.

What are the Lemon Laws in My State?
Please refer to this helpful site: http://www.autosafety.org/lemonlaws.php for lemon laws by state.
For example, the Lemon Law in Texas states:


Cadillac Customer Service Contact Info
You can also call Cadillac directly at the customer service number, which is ( as found at http://www.cadillac.com )

Cadillac Customer Assistance The Customer Assistance Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please have the following information available:

• Your name, address, and home and daytime telephone numbers
• Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be found on your registration
• Dealership name and location
• Vehicle delivery date and current mileage
• Nature of your concern

Mail: United States
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
P. O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169

From owner reports, the Customer Assistance line will often refer you back to the Dealer for service, although sometimes involving Cadillac Customer Service can help everyone involved communicate more clearly.