Should a dispute arise, keep in mind that a dealer is a franchised representative of the manufacturer and an independent business entity. Call the local regional office of the manufacturer and ask for information regarding the appeal and ombudsman process. Each manufacturer and state is different. Also call your local Better Business Bureau and Department of Motor Vehicles to ask about local laws and programs. The better informed you are about the process, the better the results.

Always be polite. Despite the fact that the process may be frustrating, realize the person on the other end of the line is probably an employee and not a decision maker. Try to get to the decision maker whenever possible. But be realistic. If the subject used car is long out of warranty, you probably have to face the reality of covering repair costs. On the other hand, when trying to get an automobile repaired that has been recalled or a technical service bulletin has been issued for it, the appeal process will facilitate these repairs. Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) can be obtained by visiting the All Data Web Site at http://www.alldata.com and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/ recmmy1.cfm for Recalls and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/ tsb/servicemmy1.cfm for the TSBs

Below are phone numbers to contact manufacturers if responses from the regional representatives or dealers are unsatisfactory. Keep all papers, take notes and document phone calls and conversations. Good luck!

Acura 1-800-382-2238

AM General 1-800-732-5493

Audi 1-800-822-2834

BMW 1-800-831-1117

Buick 1-800-521-7300

Cadillac 1-800-458-8006

Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020

Chrysler 1-800-992-1997

Dodge 1-800-992-1997

Eagle 1-800-992-1997

Ford 1-800-392-3673

Geo 1-800-222-1020

GMC 1-800-462-8782

Honda 1-310-783-2000

Hyundai 1-800-633-5151

Infiniti 1-800-662-6200

Isuzu 1-800-255-6727

Jaguar 1-201-818-8500

Kia 1-800-333-4542

Land Rover 1-800-637-6837

Lexus 1-800-255-3987

Lincoln 1-800-392-3673

Mazda 1-800-222-5500

Mercedes-Benz 1-800-222-0100

Mercury 1-800-392-3673

Mitsubishi 1-800-222-0037

Nissan 1-800-647-7261

Oldsmobile 1-800-442-6537

Plymouth 1-800-992-1997

Pontiac 1-800-762-2737

Porsche 1-800-545-8039

Saab 1-800-955-9007

Saturn 1-800-553-6000

Subaru 1-800-782-2783

Suzuki 1-800-934-0934

Toyota 1-800-331-4331

Volkswagen 1-800-822-8987

Volvo 1-800-458-1552