Lemon lawing my Rebel

So most of you probably saw my "Rebel or Raptor" thread in this section. After lots of consideration, I decided to stick it out with my Rebel for now. Both look cool in their own ways but the Rebel has so many more luxuries and the interior is 10x better than the raptor.

However, my truck has been at dodge 7 times for the heated seats and last time it was there they put in a note to engineering asking what they should do next and engineering came back with "wait till winter and see what happens." I don't know about y'all but that just felt like big middle finger to me. Mind you this was September.

So after giving the dealership time to find a cheap replacement and coming back with nothing, I am deciding to lemon law the truck cause it is very well within the laws in several areas. Here's what's still wrong off the top of my head

- Heated seats on either side never work
- Bluetooth music skips like a bad CD. I was basically told they can't do anything. (It isn't the phone, we have tested this theory thoroughly.)
- My rear view dimming mirror doesn't work

They have had approx. 10 months and dozens service visits to get these things fixed and it just hasn't happened.

I know someone will likely chime in about Ram Cares but I think it's a little past that point.

Let me know if you think I should request a new 2019 Ram Rebel (no guarantees on options or color) or just request a cash compensation and have the truck fixed or just go back to my gt500/terminator life. I certainly miss it that's for sure.

Seems like all 3 things could be replaced, by your dealer.
The wait until winter comment blows me away.

Good luck. There was a kid trying to lemon law his truck over the heated seats last month or 2 (there is a very long and excruciating thread about it) but in the end he lost and was denied.

Are your seats not coming on at all or just not staying on as long as you would like?

Being that none of those items are considered "significant" value you may have a hard time going down the lemon law road. (waiting for all the guys to start waving their pitchforks at me but it's the truth)

I would honestly try and work with the dealer to resolve it. I know this other guy said he did but I have a feeling he was being such a pain in the ass that they just got tired of dealing with him. The way you approach them and deal with them goes a long way. I know it shouldn't be like that but it is sometimes.


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mboymopar said:

Seems like all 3 things could be replaced, by your dealer.
The wait until winter comment blows me away.

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Yeah which is why I've always been polite which they have mentioned many times I have more patience than them so I figured they could get it done in a reasonable amount of time. I'm an aircraft mechanic so I understand sometimes **** isn't easy but after that winter comment that was the straw that broke the camels back for me.

mtnrider said:

Good luck. There was a kid trying to lemon law his truck over the heated seats last month or 2 (there is a very long and excruciating thread about it) but in the end he lost and was denied.

Are your seats not coming on at all or just not staying on as long as you would like?

Being that none of those items are considered "significant" value you may have a hard time going down the lemon law road. (waiting for all the guys to start waving their pitchforks at me but it's the truth)

I would honestly try and work with the dealer to resolve it. I know this other guy said he did but I have a feeling he was being such a pain in the ass that they just got tired of dealing with him. The way you approach them and deal with them goes a long way. I know it shouldn't be like that but it is sometimes.


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I've seen that thread. Mine doesn't come on whatsoever. And I thought the same as you but the lawyer didn't have a doubt in his mind we would win this considering the extensive amount of times its been in the shop for not just these issues but about a dozen more including my AC going out completely, my blend doors were failing and had to be replaced, my cruise control stopped working and they replaced the module with one that didn't have the gear up or down buttons, and many other things.

I have almost literally put more miles on their rentals than I have my own truck. And I bought this truck in January of this year.

That's ridiculous. I had doubts about that other guys issues but yours not coming on at all seems pretty cut and dry (and fixable?).

Given all the other things going wrong sounds like you have a good shot at getting it lemon lawed then. Good luck.

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mtnrider said:

That's ridiculous. I had doubts about that other guys issues but yours not coming on at all seems pretty cut and dry (and fixable?).

Given all the other things going wrong sounds like you have a good shot at getting it lemon lawed then. Good luck.

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They've replaced the module, and both of the heating elements in the drivers seat. Nothing has made a difference.

The fact this seems to be a common issue with 2018s only makes me think it has something to do with the only thing that really differs between 2017 and 2018: factory head unit. Which just so happens to have control of the seat heaters (in addition to the hardwired switches of course)

Interesting difference between Missouri lemon law and Florida LL. Missouri has a "non-conforming" LL. Any default that impairs use, market value or safety can be a LL claim. Also, manufacture can make 4 repair attempts and vehicle can be out of service for 30 days. If the member vehicle meets all 3 requirements he would have a qualified claim. But if Missouri LL is one that manufacture aggressively fights. Qualified Attorney, early on may be wise.

Fitz87gn said:

Interesting difference between Missouri lemon law and Florida LL. Missouri has a "non-conforming" LL. Any default that impairs use, market value or safety can be a LL claim. Also, manufacture can make 4 repair attempts and vehicle can be out of service for 30 days. If the member vehicle meets all 3 requirements he would have a qualified claim. But if Missouri LL is one that manufacture aggressively fights. Qualified Attorney, early on may be wise.

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Yeah when I saw that it takes 4 attempts OR 30 days down OR reasonable amount of time to fix and not just all 3 together per issue, I knew these issues qualified no matter what and my case was solid. All 3 of my issues above qualify for lemon law so I'm hoping for a respectful offer at the least with all the BS I've been dealing with.

I got a lawyer that specializes in lemon laws and supposedly the firm used to work for one of the big 3 themselves. Between that and his confidence over the phone I feel a little at ease about moving forward with a lawsuit or whatever its technically called.

At least here in ct, the amount of time out of service or attempts to fix are cut and dry.

The rub is in the wording..."
The law covers those vehicles that do not conform to the manufacturer’s express warranty, and have substantial manufacturer's defects affecting the use, safety or value of the vehicle."

Who gets to define substantial manufacturer's defects? They would make the exact argument they made in fire medic's case: the seat heaters are not substantial... They are a comfort system, not safety or engine or transmission related.

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pridemore54 said:

Yeah when I saw that it takes 4 attempts OR 30 days down OR reasonable amount of time to fix and not just all 3 together per issue, I knew these issues qualified no matter what and my case was solid. All 3 of my issues above qualify for lemon law so I'm hoping for a respectful offer at the least with all the BS I've been dealing with.

I got a lawyer that specializes in lemon laws and supposedly the firm used to work for one of the big 3 themselves. Between that and his confidence over the phone I feel a little at ease about moving forward with a lawsuit or whatever its technically called.

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Good to hear. As you know the key is, the attorney you choose. Having one that is "connected" and has a high client success rate will result in you going thru less BS. I am sure you have kept in order every WO/Invoice for all of your visits. That is the determining factor for FCA decision to fight or replace/repurchase. Could not find for your State, who pays the attorney. Typically they are paid $5-$7k and it takes 90 days to resolve. In Ca, the manufacture is required to pay the attorney if the buyer prevails. Got a suspicion that you may not need to go to court. Good luck.

Fitz87gn said:

Good to hear. As you know the key is, the attorney you choose. Having one that is "connected" and has a high client success rate will result in you going thru less BS. I am sure you have kept in order every WO/Invoice for all of your visits. That is the determining factor for FCA decision to fight or replace/repurchase. Could not find for your State, who pays the attorney. Typically they are paid $5-$7k and it takes 90 days to resolve. In Ca, the manufacture is required to pay the attorney if the buyer prevails. Got a suspicion that you may not need to go to court. Good luck.

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Yeah Ram will pay the attourny fee's and if we lose I don't pay dime. Only way I'm liable for anything is if I get offered a deal and turn it down. So I should be covered. I thought it was Missouri law since that's where I'm stationed but since I registered back home in Illinois (garbage state) I will have to double check its the same rules. Either way, lawyer didn't have a doubt I would get an out of court settlement like you said.

pridemore54 said:

Yeah Ram will pay the attourny fee's and if we lose I don't pay dime. Only way I'm liable for anything is if I get offered a deal and turn it down. So I should be covered. I thought it was Missouri law since that's where I'm stationed but since I registered back home in Illinois (garbage state) I will have to double check its the same rules. Either way, lawyer didn't have a doubt I would get an out of court settlement like you said.

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Excellent.

So I'm not sure if I should try to get a 2019 Ram Limited. I love the looks of my 2018 Ram Rebel, I got the exact color (blue streak) and all the options I wanted minus the sunroof. Gotta say I love the panoramic in the new ones but I'm just not sure about the exterior styling or getting a first year generation... guess I'm waiting to hear from with 2019 guys chime in about theirs

Although I bought a power wagon, the new 19 rebels are pretty badass. Love the new interior.

pridemore54 said:

So I'm not sure if I should try to get a 2019 Ram Limited. I love the looks of my 2018 Ram Rebel, I got the exact color (blue streak) and all the options I wanted minus the sunroof. Gotta say I love the panoramic in the new ones but I'm just not sure about the exterior styling or getting a first year generation... guess I'm waiting to hear from with 2019 guys chime in about theirs

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Hey dude sorry about your Rebel. Just a heads up, I’ve heard about way more problems with Limiteds than Rebels or Big Horns. Even the manager that sold me my truck had a 19 Limited loaner and he was complaining about that 12in screen freezing up constantly and his sunroof leaking.

Might want to get a tradesman! Haha

I agree with Theo. I have seen more posts about the issues with the 12” screen than anything else on the 19’s. I have a 19’ Rebel with the Level 1 package so it doesn’t have a lot of the bells and whistles for the radio controls. But my seat heaters do have a dedicated button and they work. Lol. If you love the Rebel stick to what you love. A year down the road you will be kicking yourself for settling. Just happened this time around you got one of the lemons. Would you get to choose your features if they replaced it or just whatever they want to give you?


2019 Ram 1500 Rebel
N-Fab Epyx Bars, Bak Revolver X2, Mopar EVTS
Pro-tech bed liner, Flowmaster 40, Undercover Swing Case, Husky Mud Flaps

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

got a 19 rebel-knock on wood the seat heaters work!-3.92 gears with E-torque is smooth and powerful!-good luck!

arthur dwyer said:

got a 19 rebel-knock on wood the seat heaters work!-3.92 gears with E-torque is smooth and powerful!-good luck!

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Now all they need to do is start producing the Mopar Ram Airflow intake to wake this beast up a bit. Lol.


2019 Ram 1500 Rebel
N-Fab Epyx Bars, Bak Revolver X2, Mopar EVTS
Pro-tech bed liner, Flowmaster 40, Undercover Swing Case, Husky Mud Flaps

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk