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Before You Drive Away 
Service
Visits
Resolving
Disputes
Lemon
Laws
Government Agencies and Consumer Groups
The arbitration programs, government agencies, and consumer groups listed
below may be able to help with auto-related problems. Many states and
some local governments have their own consumer protection agencies that
may respond faster than a federal agency.
Center for Auto Safety
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009-5708
Web site: www.autosafety.org
Nonprofit group lobbies on behalf of consumer interests regarding vehicle
safety and quality. Also provides information on vehicle defects, common
problems, and lemon laws; and provides a lawyer referral service. Send
a letter explaining your request with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
US 1-800-992-1997 Canada 1-800-363-4869
Handles complaints not resolved at the dealer or zone-office level and
provides information about Chrysler's customer arbitration boards. Also
answers calls for roadside assistance and inquiries on recalls and other
consumer issues.
Better Business Bureau Auto Line
1-800-955-5100
Web site: www.bbb.org
Provides reports on dealers and other businesses and operates the Auto
Line mediation and arbitration service between consumers and auto companies
regarding manufacturing defects. Check your local phone book for the nearest
office or call 1-800-955-5100 for information.
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-382-4357
Web site: www.ftc.gov
Provides information on arbitration and consumer complaints and publishes
brochures with advice on loans, leasing, and other auto-related topics.
Regional offices are in major cities.
Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety (IIHS)
1005 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 247-1500
HLDI Web site: www.carsafety.org
IIHS Web site: www.highwaysafety.org
Insurance industry lobbying group compiles information on vehicle and
highway safety, including crash test and other vehicle ratings.
National Automobile Dealers Association
AUTOCAP
8400 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 821-7000
NADA headquarters will refer you to a state or local office to answer
questions on the AUTOCAP mediation service and inform you if your dealer
is a member. Also provides information on recalls.
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 43360
Detroit, MI 48243
1-800-392-3673 (Ford and Lincoln/Mercury)
Handles complaints unresolved at dealer or regional-office level and
provides information on Ford's arbitration program. Also answers calls
for roadside assistance and inquiries on recalls and other consumer issues.
U.S. Department of Energy
1-800-363-3732
Web site: www.fueleconomy.gov
Distributes free single copies of the EPA Gas Mileage Guide, which is
available in electronic form on the Web site. Copies of the guide also
are required to be available at new-car dealers.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
1-800-424-9393
Web site: www.nhtsa.dot.gov
NHTSA investigates safety defects and enforces federal safety regulations.
Call the toll-free consumer hotline, or log on to the Web site, for information
on crash tests, safety recalls, service bulletins, consumer complaints,
and to report safety problems.
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Consumer Litigation
P.O. Box 386
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 307-0092
Web site: www.usdoj.gov
Enforces federal laws covering price labeling of new vehicles and odometer
tampering.
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