An Alberta mother has launched an online petition calling for better consumer protections after having major problems with a minivan.
Lou Kuiack said a lemon law would protect people who purchase defective vehicles by mandating compensation or a vehicle buyback under certain conditions.
Quebec is the only province with anti-lemon legislation.
“I’m hoping all of Canada can get a lemon law,” Kuiack said.
The 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan that she bought new is plagued with dangerous and unpredictable failures and electrical glitches, she said.
“It’s scary knowing that my vehicle can stop at any time and decide not to work, or the doors won’t open, or the windows roll down on their own,” Kuiack said.
She documented over 20 issues and spent over $3,000 trying to diagnose various problems with the vehicle.
Every time she took the van in for repairs, nothing was found to be wrong, she said.
“It’s been over four years trying to battle with this,” she said.
Kuiack said she has been in touch with provincial and federal politicians and is trying to get another petition in front of the House of Commons in Ottawa.
“I’m trying to go down every avenue I can,” she said.
In some cases, consumers can get help from the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan, but participation by vehicle manufacturers is voluntary and Fiat Chrysler is not part of the program.
Brandon Aboultaif, the press secretary for Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally, was asked if Alberta is considering legislation to protect consumers who purchase new vehicles that have recurring issues.
"Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction continues to monitor new and emerging areas in consumer protection and what is happening in other jurisdictions, including the implementation of lemon laws in other provinces, and is committed to ensuring there is a fair marketplace for automotive consumers," Aboultaif said in a statement.
