Can I return a car back to a dealer?

Dealer can't fix the problem... Can I return a used car to the dealership?

• We purchased a 2005 Buick Century from a Hyundai Dealership (they probably got it as a trade in). We discovered within the used car warranty period that there was a problem with water flooding the floor in back of the passenger seat. The car has been into the dealership service 3x and each time they claim they found something and fixed it and it passed the "rain" test and yet as soon as we get it back it's still get sopping wet after a rain storm (even if we're not driving it). Anyway, I'm beginning to wonder if this problem will ever get fixed since they can't seem to find the problem. I told them we cannot keep a car that has water on the floor and mildew and that if they can't fix it this time we'll have to choose another used car at their dealership and give them back that one. They told my husband that that wasn't an option. I don't think we should have to get burned on reselling a car that has this unacceptable problem with it and they should take it back minus the three months we used it. I don't know what to do at this point. Do you think this is a reasonable request. We just can't live with mildew growing in the back!

• Answer:

  You need to speak with a top manager of the dealer - the dealer principal, the general manager, someone like that. Get a name, number, and email address. State your case clearly. Tell them what you want. Don't whine or be vague. It is certainly reasonable to want to exchange the car. They are keeping your business and getting the chance to take care of a customer. If you want, consider talking to an attorney. The mold issue is a serious one and a motivated attorney can probably get the dealer to play ball. But explore all options with the dealer's management staff first.