Originally Posted by lanbrown

The OP will need to have a mechanic look at it that is impartial in the matter. That will cost money. A lawsuit will cost money. All while he has a vehicle that cannot be driven and the dealers know this. If the oil filter was truly at fault both dealers will seek to get the case dismissed against them as it was the oil filter manufacturer at fault. Do they even have a presence in the US? If not, any suit will not go far at all. Maybe something could be brought against the distributor. We also don't know what the OP signed. It may require binding arbitration to be used or that he bought the vehicle AS IS and the dealer accepts no responsibility whatsoever.

It will be a very hard case to prove and could take 1 or more years. If he doesn't fix the vehicle they could argue that since he hasn't actually paid anything, he is not able to collect on damages that don't exist.