'08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do?

CoolNate32 · 10-14-2009, 07:33 PM

I've had my Astra for less then two months, I bought it brand new and now it has around 3,800 miles. A little over a week ago it just randomly wouldn't start. I got it towed in to the dealer, and they said my battery shorted out and they replaced it. Later that night I went to use my car and it was dead. I had it towed again. The dealer worked on it all day and said they must have put another bad battery in it, kept it over the weekend and then they said it was fixed. Once again the other night it wouldn't start. I took it in and they said they couldn't find the problem. My dad noticed that some times around ten minutes after the car turns off sometimes the lights and radio turn on. So it's at the shop again for the forth time. They are really nice about it and always put me in a rental car. But, the point is it's the forth time that it is being fixed. Do you think that my car could be considered a lemon or am I doomed since Saturn is going under? Secondly if I am eligible under the lemon law what steps to I take and do you honestly think that it would be worth it for me? Sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining a lot I just feel like it was a lot of money to me. I'm Indiana I don't know if that helps at all.

F14CRAZY · 10-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Give them a little time. Your Astra will be warrantied by GM as long as your warranty doesn't expire so don't worry about being stuck with a car that can't be fixed.

CoolNate32 · 10-14-2009, 11:16 PM

I'm giving them time. I'm just worried because they're shutting down in less then two weeks!! I know I sound like I'm complaining a lot but it's hard to see a car that I spent all of my money on (I'm a college student) 2 months ago, and it's useless to me..

CoolNate32 · 10-14-2009, 11:59 PM

Also, if I do decide to pursue the lemon law does anyone have the slightest idea on who I call? I tried calling Saturn Customer Service, they were rude and told me I needed to contact my attorney general, they basically just said that I needed to contact the manufacturer, so what would I do? All I want is another GM vehicle that runs. Also, if I do go for the lemon law do they give me money or can I simply agree to another GM vehicle? I don't want another ASTRA.

Quixote88 · 10-15-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolNate32

Also, if I do decide to pursue the lemon law does anyone have the slightest idea on who I call? I tried calling Saturn Customer Service, they were rude and told me I needed to contact my attorney general, they basically just said that I needed to contact the manufacturer, so what would I do? All I want is another GM vehicle that runs. Also, if I do go for the lemon law do they give me money or can I simply agree to another GM vehicle? I don't want another ASTRA.

This should help you out a little:

http://www.carlemon.com/lemon/IN_LemonGuide.html

I would also continue to call every GM consumer line I could find and keep asking to speak with supervisors, not just operators. Tell them you are getting your State's Attorney General involved. Someone will give you an answer one way or another. The Attorney General's office should be more helpful than they were for you.

Claiming you have a lemon is not easy, but it is possible to get your vehicle replaced. It just takes time. I'm sorry you're having this problem. Best wishes...

HoeyHimself · 10-15-2009, 01:08 AM

Whoa. I forgot about the Astra. Once you get it fixed, sell it for a Mazda 3 5-door. I think you will be happy. The Astra is kinda the forgotten car. I think GM sold like, I don't know, 10 or 11 of them..

Quixote88 · 10-15-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

Whoa. I forgot about the Astra. Once you get it fixed, sell it for a Mazda 3 5-door. I think you will be happy. The Astra is kinda the forgotten car. I think GM sold like, I don't know, 10 or 11 of them..

Nah, they sold at least 25... Well, that's how many our store sold!

Suziebob · 10-15-2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

Whoa. I forgot about the Astra. Once you get it fixed, sell it for a Mazda 3 5-door. I think you will be happy. The Astra is kinda the forgotten car. I think GM sold like, I don't know, 10 or 11 of them..

But didn't you hear! If we put a Buick badge on it, it'll save GM!

civilzues · 10-15-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suziebob

But didn't you hear! If we put a Buick badge on it, it'll save GM!

Your right! It will.

CRBoyd91 · 10-15-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suziebob

But didn't you hear! If we put a Buick badge on it, it'll save GM!

Don't forget about adding more features

CoolNate32 · 10-15-2009, 09:15 AM

Thanks a lot. Do you guys think I have a legitimate claim? I've read in some places that you have to have a severe defect or a safety issue. I would think the car not starting would be pretty severe. And I almost got a MAZDA 3 thats why I'm so disappointed in this car. I had two cobalts and thought nothing but positive about GM before this car...

WannabeRich · 10-15-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolNate32

Thanks a lot. Do you guys think I have a legitimate claim? I've read in some places that you have to have a severe defect or a safety issue. I would think the car not starting would be pretty severe. And I almost got a MAZDA 3 thats why I'm so disappointed in this car. I had two cobalts and thought nothing but positive about GM before this car...

I believe in order to qualify for the lemon law, the vehicle must be out of service for a certain amount of days in a 12 month period. In some states, lemon law claims are handled by the BBB (Better Business Bureau). I've been through it (1986 Trans Am). The car was in the shop for 33 days for various repairs. It's a pain in the a$$. I felt the arbitrator was in bed with the GM Rep. They seemed very chummy. The GM rep wanted to blame everything on the dealer. To make a long story short, the car was sent back to the factory (Van Nuys, CA) for repair. The problem was fixed but a few months later, other problems surfaced so I traded it in for an '88 Cutless Supreme.

1999 White C5 Coupe · 10-15-2009, 12:41 PM

I underwent a repurchase (lemon law buy-back) under Ohio's lemon law in 1997 for a defective 1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 convertible. In Ohio, the process was handled by the BBB autoline. I filed the claim myself and arbitration myself. I won and received a refund + sales tax (minus $0.25 mile that I drove the car up to the first defect at 697 miles).

Different states allow their attorney general to determine what type of program is used to administer the law. Some states use their attorney general's office. Most use a third party such as the BBB. The cost of the programs are paid by the manufacturers.

I was treated VERY POORLY by Chevrolet. The BBB and the BBB arbitrator were very professional and helpful. Since then, Ohio has improved / strengthened their lemon law.

In Ohio, Chrysler does not use the BBB and requires a lawsuit be filed under Ohio law. GM and Ford use the BBB autoline.

Each state has different requirements. You can easily research Indiana's law. Read the booklet that came with your car regarding various state lemon laws. In Ohio, the manufacturer has to pay reasonable attorney fees if you prevail.

In most cases, to qualify as a "lemon", the car must meet certain criteria. Usually, it has to be purchased or leased new, be within a certain time limit from when purchased, driven less than so many miles from when purchased (12,000 or 18,000 in Ohio), have a certain number of defects repaired, or a safety defect repair attempt more than once, be out of service for a certain number of days (30 in Ohio), etc.

The system works and is not that hard to undertake. You MUST have all your repair receipts and paperwork, such as original purchase order, title (or abstract), registration, etc.

Good luck - If the car is having this much trouble so quickly, you will never be satisified or confident of it.

Let us know what you decide.

SirRaven · 10-15-2009, 02:55 PM

Sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your Astra. I hope that the dealership can find whats wrong, because it is a really nice car. I have only had an issue with my fuel filler cap so far at 25,000 miles. If not I hope it turns out well for you, dont want to see anything bad happen to someone who spent good money on their car.

Good luck!

Aura XR · 10-15-2009, 05:00 PM

I hope you have luck on your lemon law issue. Here in New York, I believe it has to be in for repairs on the same problem three separate times.

I know my sister-in-law had a 2002 Trailblazer that she bought that was a total LEMON!!!. It was in the dealer 23 times for different repairs, including a very dangerous power seat that moved and reclined while driving. It never got under the lemon law because it was never the same item three times. When the Smartlease was up, she got rid of it and went Honda. Having a friend at the dealership, I understand Chevy tried to auction it but the Carfax showing the 23 services was so bad that the truck was crushed (supposedly).

10-14-2009, 07:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
CoolNate32 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Drives: '08 Saturn Astra XR 3DR Posts: 40	'08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? I've had my Astra for less then two months, I bought it brand new and now it has around 3,800 miles. A little over a week ago it just randomly wouldn't start. I got it towed in to the dealer, and they said my battery shorted out and they replaced it. Later that night I went to use my car and it was dead. I had it towed again. The dealer worked on it all day and said they must have put another bad battery in it, kept it over the weekend and then they said it was fixed. Once again the other night it wouldn't start. I took it in and they said they couldn't find the problem. My dad noticed that some times around ten minutes after the car turns off sometimes the lights and radio turn on. So it's at the shop again for the forth time. They are really nice about it and always put me in a rental car. But, the point is it's the forth time that it is being fixed. Do you think that my car could be considered a lemon or am I doomed since Saturn is going under? Secondly if I am eligible under the lemon law what steps to I take and do you honestly think that it would be worth it for me? Sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining a lot I just feel like it was a lot of money to me. I'm Indiana I don't know if that helps at all. __________________ Currently Own: -'08 Saturn Astra XR 3 Door Previously Owned: -'05 Focus ZX3 (Sold) -'07 Cobalt LT 4 Door (Sold) -'09 Focus SEL 4 Door (Traded) -'08 Cobalt Sport 4 Door (Totaled)

10-14-2009, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
F14CRAZY 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dimondale, MI Drives: '89 Buick Reatta Posts: 6,230	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? Give them a little time. Your Astra will be warrantied by GM as long as your warranty doesn't expire so don't worry about being stuck with a car that can't be fixed. __________________ Owner of vehicles powered by a Buick even-fire V6, Chevy 60 degree OHV V6, a big block Buick V8, and a quadrozontal Triple-X08:take your hybrids and shove em up yer ass, i'll take my fuel injection and carburetors, and still make 30+ mpg. and i wont look like a douchebag driving it.

10-14-2009, 11:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
CoolNate32 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Drives: '08 Saturn Astra XR 3DR Posts: 40	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? I'm giving them time. I'm just worried because they're shutting down in less then two weeks!! I know I sound like I'm complaining a lot but it's hard to see a car that I spent all of my money on (I'm a college student) 2 months ago, and it's useless to me.. __________________ Currently Own: -'08 Saturn Astra XR 3 Door Previously Owned: -'05 Focus ZX3 (Sold) -'07 Cobalt LT 4 Door (Sold) -'09 Focus SEL 4 Door (Traded) -'08 Cobalt Sport 4 Door (Totaled)

10-14-2009, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
CoolNate32 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Drives: '08 Saturn Astra XR 3DR Posts: 40	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? Also, if I do decide to pursue the lemon law does anyone have the slightest idea on who I call? I tried calling Saturn Customer Service, they were rude and told me I needed to contact my attorney general, they basically just said that I needed to contact the manufacturer, so what would I do? All I want is another GM vehicle that runs. Also, if I do go for the lemon law do they give me money or can I simply agree to another GM vehicle? I don't want another ASTRA. __________________ Currently Own: -'08 Saturn Astra XR 3 Door Previously Owned: -'05 Focus ZX3 (Sold) -'07 Cobalt LT 4 Door (Sold) -'09 Focus SEL 4 Door (Traded) -'08 Cobalt Sport 4 Door (Totaled)

10-15-2009, 01:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
HoeyHimself 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Drives: 2010 VW GTI Posts: 4,850	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? Whoa. I forgot about the Astra. Once you get it fixed, sell it for a Mazda 3 5-door. I think you will be happy. The Astra is kinda the forgotten car. I think GM sold like, I don't know, 10 or 11 of them.. __________________

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10-15-2009, 09:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
CoolNate32 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Drives: '08 Saturn Astra XR 3DR Posts: 40	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? Thanks a lot. Do you guys think I have a legitimate claim? I've read in some places that you have to have a severe defect or a safety issue. I would think the car not starting would be pretty severe. And I almost got a MAZDA 3 thats why I'm so disappointed in this car. I had two cobalts and thought nothing but positive about GM before this car... __________________ Currently Own: -'08 Saturn Astra XR 3 Door Previously Owned: -'05 Focus ZX3 (Sold) -'07 Cobalt LT 4 Door (Sold) -'09 Focus SEL 4 Door (Traded) -'08 Cobalt Sport 4 Door (Totaled)

10-15-2009, 12:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
1999 White C5 Coupe 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 629	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? I underwent a repurchase (lemon law buy-back) under Ohio's lemon law in 1997 for a defective 1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 convertible. In Ohio, the process was handled by the BBB autoline. I filed the claim myself and arbitration myself. I won and received a refund + sales tax (minus $0.25 mile that I drove the car up to the first defect at 697 miles). Different states allow their attorney general to determine what type of program is used to administer the law. Some states use their attorney general's office. Most use a third party such as the BBB. The cost of the programs are paid by the manufacturers. I was treated VERY POORLY by Chevrolet. The BBB and the BBB arbitrator were very professional and helpful. Since then, Ohio has improved / strengthened their lemon law. In Ohio, Chrysler does not use the BBB and requires a lawsuit be filed under Ohio law. GM and Ford use the BBB autoline. Each state has different requirements. You can easily research Indiana's law. Read the booklet that came with your car regarding various state lemon laws. In Ohio, the manufacturer has to pay reasonable attorney fees if you prevail. In most cases, to qualify as a "lemon", the car must meet certain criteria. Usually, it has to be purchased or leased new, be within a certain time limit from when purchased, driven less than so many miles from when purchased (12,000 or 18,000 in Ohio), have a certain number of defects repaired, or a safety defect repair attempt more than once, be out of service for a certain number of days (30 in Ohio), etc. The system works and is not that hard to undertake. You MUST have all your repair receipts and paperwork, such as original purchase order, title (or abstract), registration, etc. Good luck - If the car is having this much trouble so quickly, you will never be satisified or confident of it. Let us know what you decide.

10-15-2009, 02:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
SirRaven 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Body in Detroit, Heart in WISCONSIN Drives: 08 Saturn Astra 5dr XR Posts: 1,270	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? Sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your Astra. I hope that the dealership can find whats wrong, because it is a really nice car. I have only had an issue with my fuel filler cap so far at 25,000 miles. If not I hope it turns out well for you, dont want to see anything bad happen to someone who spent good money on their car. Good luck! __________________

10-15-2009, 05:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
Aura XR 1.4 Liter Turbocharged ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2007 Drives: 2007 Aura XR 1994 Saturn SL2 1997 Honda Civic (w Posts: 63	Re: '08 Saturn Astra Lemon.. what do I do? I hope you have luck on your lemon law issue. Here in New York, I believe it has to be in for repairs on the same problem three separate times. I know my sister-in-law had a 2002 Trailblazer that she bought that was a total LEMON!!!. It was in the dealer 23 times for different repairs, including a very dangerous power seat that moved and reclined while driving. It never got under the lemon law because it was never the same item three times. When the Smartlease was up, she got rid of it and went Honda. Having a friend at the dealership, I understand Chevy tried to auction it but the Carfax showing the 23 services was so bad that the truck was crushed (supposedly).

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