An Ontario man says his model new electrical automobile solely functioned for six days earlier than it stopped working.
“It has left me doubting whether or not or not I made the best alternative,” mentioned Peter Cybulski of Waterloo, Ont.
Many individuals favor to purchase model new automobiles as a result of they do not wish to danger shopping for a used automobile which will have issues. However, sadly, even new automobiles can have defects which can be tough to restore and in case you purchase a automobile like that in most of Canada, you are caught with it.
Cybulski purchased a 2025 Kia EV9 in August for $90,000. However when he received the totally electrical car dwelling, he mentioned he could not drive it.
“You’ll be able to’t put it into drive, you’ll be able to’t put it into reverse, you’ll be able to’t put it in impartial. It stays in park, it is locked in park,” mentioned Cybulski.
Cybulski mentioned the SUV has been within the store for over a month.
“The car would not work. It is not useable and for the 36 days we’ve got had it, it has functioned a complete of six days,” mentioned Cybulski.
Pissed off, Cybulski informed the dealership he purchased the SUV from that if they cannot repair his new automobile, they need to change it or give him his a refund.
“Alternate our car for one which features or give us a refund,” mentioned Cybulski.
Automobile Assist Canada, a client advocacy group for automobile patrons, mentioned that at the moment in Ontario, customers who really feel they’ve purchased a lemon are caught with it. In contrast to the USA, there aren’t any lemon legal guidelines right here.
“Canadians from a client safety perspective will not be as nicely protected as in the USA,” mentioned Mohamed Bouchama, with Automobile Assist Canada.
Customers who’ve a difficulty with a brand new car can use the Canadian Motor Car Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP), a program that helps resolve disputes with producers, or takes a seller to court docket.
What would actually assist Canadian customers, Bouchama says, is a lemon regulation, which might assist if a brand new automobile can’t be repaired in an inexpensive period of time. A lemon regulation would supply further safety for automobile patrons, however the Ontario authorities must make it occur.
“It’s like a 3 strikes you’re out. When you take the automobile again to the seller 3 times and so they cannot repair it, they’ve to offer you a brand new automobile or your a refund,” mentioned Bouchama.
Quebec introduced in a lemon regulation final yr to assist shield customers and Automobile Assist Canada believes each province ought to have one.
“Kia Canada has recognized a small variety of automobiles from a selected and up to date manufacturing run of 2025 EV9 items to be experiencing a difficulty with the digital shift lever. Now we have expedited the alternative half for the affected items which have began arriving this week,” a Kia Canada spokesperson mentioned.
“All EV9 customers who are impacted will be notified by Kia Canada in the coming weeks to bring their vehicle to their nearest Kia dealer to have the repair performed. Additionally, affected customers are being provided a rental vehicle free of charge while awaiting for the replacement part to arrive if their vehicle cannot be driven.”
Cybulski mentioned he feels Ontario ought to have a lemon regulation. After he contacted Ontario Chronicle, his automobile was repaired and he is again on the highway hoping there will not be different points.
“It’s a relief to finally get my car back,” mentioned Cybulski.
CAMVAP does have success in ordering dealerships to purchase again automobiles, however automakers do not have to participate in this system though most do.
