‘Secret’ warranties go public in October

The secret’s out: Bethesda resident Danuta Wilson told Maryland car owners Wednesday that come this October, auto manufacturers will be required to inform customers when they extend warranties to cover car defects that occur after written warranties have expired.

Wilson’s car broke down in 2005, and her dealer told her she had probably caused the problem by using the wrong kind of gas. Stuck with a more than $900 repair bill, Wilson did some research and discovered she wasn’t alone — many owners of similar cars were experiencing the same problem and getting stuck with the bill.