Is my car a lemon

[dustan303]

So back in December I bought a 2017 Ford Fusion from a dealer for 16k with 29k miles. It was a good car at the time other then a small chip in the paint on the front bumper. The car had previously been a lease car. And now 5 months later. One of the wheels has a squeaking noise and the check engine light comes on and off. I brought it back to the dealership as they were offering to buy it back. They only wanted to offer me 15k for it and I still owe 17k on it from my previous trade in. Does anyone think it’s a lemon or what should I do. I honestly think it shouldn’t be having problems at such low miles. But I don’t know much about cars. Any help?

[shorod]

The squeaking noise could be due to brakes that need attention. Brakes are a normal maintenance item. It could also be due to a dry tie rod end or ball joint. Yeah, 29k miles or so would be low mileage for a set of brakes or for a ball joint/tie rod end, but you don't really know how the car was used/abused before you purchased it. Also, a check engine light (CEL) that comes on doesn't necessarily mean there is something seriously wrong with the car. If it's driving fine, the light might just mean you have a loose gas cap. Or if you are one of those people that leave the car running when refueling, that could cause the check engine light to come on as well. Most of the chain auto parts stores offer a service to check the diagnostic codes (which your car will have since the CEL has been on recently). I'd strongly recommend getting the full code number rather than just the store employee's interpretation of what the code number means, then do some research on possible causes of the diagnostic code.

Without knowing what the source of the squeak and check engine light are, it's difficult to suggest if you should sell the car back to the dealer at a loss. They are likely banking on being able to repair both issues for less than $1k and therefore that's what they offered you. It was a used car and if you bought it as-is, they likely have no legal obligation to buy the car back or fix it for you.

Since you're kind of upside down on this car right now you might be best off to sell the car back for $15k, then find a decent lower priced car and spend the $100 or so to have it checked out by a professional shop that you trust prior to purchase. But only you can decide what the right choice is for you.

-Rod

[dustan303]

The check engine light was caused by a map sensor. And as far as the breaks. Looked at them and everything looked fine. The dealership didn’t even know about any of those issues as the light went out and comes back on. And the squeaking only occurs when the steering wheel is turnt or pressure is being put on the car by sitting in it.

I’m just mainly deciding. I had a couple of peaple that would want to offer me me just to get me into a new car. The dealership that i got the car from ripped me off from the beginning and there is a lot of stuff that would take forever to type. But that’s been the main reason why I have been deciding rather to get rid of it or keep it

QUOTE=shorod;7228447]The squeaking noise could be due to brakes that need attention. Brakes are a normal maintenance item. It could also be due to a dry tie rod end or ball joint. Yeah, 29k miles or so would be low mileage for a set of brakes or for a ball joint/tie rod end, but you don't really know how the car was used/abused before you purchased it. Also, a check engine light (CEL) that comes on doesn't necessarily mean there is something seriously wrong with the car. If it's driving fine, the light might just mean you have a loose gas cap. Or if you are one of those people that leave the car running when refueling, that could cause the check engine light to come on as well. Most of the chain auto parts stores offer a service to check the diagnostic codes (which your car will have since the CEL has been on recently). I'd strongly recommend getting the full code number rather than just the store employee's interpretation of what the code number means, then do some research on possible causes of the diagnostic code.

Without knowing what the source of the squeak and check engine light are, it's difficult to suggest if you should sell the car back to the dealer at a loss. They are likely banking on being able to repair both issues for less than $1k and therefore that's what they offered you. It was a used car and if you bought it as-is, they likely have no legal obligation to buy the car back or fix it for you.

Since you're kind of upside down on this car right now you might be best off to sell the car back for $15k, then find a decent lower priced car and spend the $100 or so to have it checked out by a professional shop that you trust prior to purchase. But only you can decide what the right choice is for you.

-Rod[/quote]

[RidingOnRailz]

Originally Posted by dustan303

So back in December I bought a 2017 Ford
Fusion from a dealer for 16k with 29k miles. It was
a good car at the time other then a small chip in the
paint on the front bumper. The car had previously
been a lease car. And now 5 months later. One of the
wheels has a squeaking noise and the check engine
light comes on and off. I brought it back to the dealership
as they were offering to buy it back. They only wanted
to offer me 15k for it and I still owe 17k on it from my
previous trade in. Does anyone think it’s a lemon or what
should I do. I honestly think it shouldn’t be having
problems at such low miles. But I don’t know much about
cars. Any help?

It's a FORD! Check Engine lights happen.

In 1997, I bought a trade 1996 Contour(Mondeo) - fine road manners by the way! - and it was relatively trouble free until 1999. From late that year until 2002, the Ford dealer chased check engine lights on it, up to and including replacing "the entire wiring harness" - whatever that meant. Service manager just shook his head "We've thrown everything at it, there's nothing more we can do"

From '02 until I sold it in '03, I just drove it around with the light on, and had a local mechanic clear it a few days before I took it for emissions.

[Stealthee]

You bought a used car so you dont have any lemon law protection. If you "got ripped off" then the only person you can blame is yourself because you didn't do research beforehand.

[RidingOnRailz]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

You bought a used car so you dont have any
lemon law protection. If you "got ripped off"
then the only person you can blame is yourself
because you didn't do research beforehand.

Even if CPO(certified)?

[Stealthee]

Only New York, Massachusetts, and California would a CPO be eligible lemon law. Used is a buyer beware. It's on the buyer to do their homework and protect themselves