Mysterious staining on new automobile's seat leaves owner stymied

Q. I purchased a brand new 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis in November 2007. My problem has to do with the interior. My material is a light taupe. In June 2008, I called my salesman and told him my seat was turning blue. He suggested I bring it into the service manager. He told me after they attempted to clean it that it was a transfer of color from my clothes. He also suggested that there was a business in Peabody where I could bring it to have it cleaned and treated with Scotchgard. He also gave me a number at Ford to call. I called them. They called him - so transfer was my problem. I am 81 years old and have been retired for 20 years. I do not work and do not wear anything but normal clothes. I would appreciate an honest opinion if I am being unreasonable.

Louis Bernazzani, Swampscott

A. Unreasonable? Certainly not. You are entitled to express your concern about an unanticipated and undesirable problem with a new car that you paid good money for.

What you have experienced is not a very common problem, from what I can tell. The people involved seem to be making their best guess about what happened to the seat. But all they can reasonably do is deduce what happened based on what they are seeing and where the stain is located. If the discoloration is nowhere near where you sit, you can make a good argument they're wrong.

I'd have to say in the many years I've been driving cars - including wearing wet clothes when I shouldn't have - I've never seen anything like what you describe. That having been said, I have seen perfectly normal looking clothes leak dye. Sweat can provide enough moisture for that to happen.

It doesn't appear as if your problem would fit under the state's Lemon Law, which is designed to help consumers if they've received a defective vehicle that can't be repaired.

Unless you can demonstrate the problem is not from a dye transfer, you have a situation that is your responsibility to deal with. Getting the seat cleaned and treated is not a bad idea to clear up the problem and prevent the situation from happening again.

Consumer tip
Consumers have a decent set of options in Massachusetts to seek guidance and help when a problem arises with a business. One place to start is with the state attorney general's office consumer hotline. You can call 617-727-8400 to find out what your rights are in a particular situation, file a complaint, or get steered to a more appropriate agency. The office also has a consumer vs. business mediation service for complaints that can't otherwise be resolved. It's a way to avoid going to court.

HAVE A CONSUMER QUESTION? E-mail your questions to consumer@globe.com.