Because of the car’s age and the fact that the defect doesn’t technically make the car undrivable or unsafe, you may not have success with the lemon laws, but you have my sincerest best wishing in that pursuit.
You clearly got a dud. You are not crazy and not being unreasonable in your expectations.
With your owner’s manuall should have come a book with contact information for unresolved problems. Try there, and document everything. Try also the media. YOu may have a consumer advocate on one of your local news channels that you could send the story to. I’d suggest a lawyer, but I don’t think the laws will help you here…although I could be wrong.
Beyond that I have no suggetsions to muster. Sorry.
Sincere best of luck. Let us know how it goes. We do care.