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El Camino Auto Sales, S&A Cars Wholesale, Lemon Law

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Case Description

Buyer, who was located in Adelanto, visited S&A Cars Wholesale (dba “El Camino Auto Sales”) in Fontana and purchased 2003 Nissan Murano. Included in the purchase was a Service Contract which the dealer repeatedly referred to as a “Warranty”. Buyer’s issues with the Murano started moments after purchase.

Immediately after leaving the dealer’s lot, Buyer attempted to fill the Murano with gasoline, but found that the gas cap was broken, stuck, and could not be removed without prying it off. Buyer also checked the vehicle’s fluids while at the gas station and found that the oil and coolant levels were extremely low. After filling those liquids to their required levels, Buyer headed to Los Angeles on the freeway.

While on the freeway heading to Los Angeles, the Murano’s Service Engine Soon Light came on, the car started smoking, and was emitting a burning smell. Buyer went to a gas station right away, opened the hood of the car, and noticed that there was a small puddle of antifreeze gathered on the ground near passenger side tire, indicating a crack or leak in the coolant reservoir.

While driving back to El Camino Auto Sales the next morning to complain about the problems, the Murano started making “knocking and thumping” noises. Buyer met with Caeser Comonero (finance manager) and Carlos Melendez (salesperson) when he got there and was told by Caeser “do not worry you have purchased a good warranty plan and your car will be like new when it takes effect, the warranty will fix anything that is wrong with your car.” Relying on those statements, Buyer left the vehicle there for repair.

Dealer replaced the radiator and Buyer picked up the vehicle a few days later. However, Buyer noticed the same burning smell immediately after pick up. Additionally, the Air Conditioning stopped working, the Service Engine Soon Light came on again, and the vehicle was still making “knocking and thumping” noises.

Buyer again returned the vehicle to El Camino Auto Sales a few days later for repairs. Dealer kept the Murano for 4 days performing unknown repairs and charging Buyer for half of the costs. Buyer asked for an invoice when he picked up the car but was never provided one.

Over the next few months, the “knocking and thumping” noises returned so Buyer retained LemonLawAutoFraud’s attorneys for help. Shortly thereafter, the Murano began to exhibit no-start symptoms and eventually became completely inoperable. Our highly experienced Lemon Law attorneys discovered that the underlying problem was a defect in the timing-chain system which El Camino Auto Sales never repaired and led to severe engine damage.

As a result of our efforts, El Camino Auto Sales agreed to settle the case by cancelling the contract, paying Buyer’s damages, and paying for Buyer’s attorney fees and costs. In total, the dealership paid over $68,000.

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