Does your business rely on a work vehicle that turned out to be a lemon? Then you're probably wondering if California Lemon Law protects you. We'll answer all of your questions, including what types of vehicles qualify for protection, how to determine if your work vehicle is a lemon, and what steps to take if you believe you have a legitimate Lemon Law Claim.
Understanding the Lemon Law in California
California Lemon Law protects consumers who have purchased various products, including personal and work vehicles, boats, motorcycles, RVs, and even solar panels. However, to meet claim eligibility requirements, commercial vehicles must meet the following criteria:
Gross Vehicle Weight Requirements
Gross vehicle weight refers to the vehicle's weight without people or cargo. Work vehicles must not exceed 10,000 pounds to meet commercial Lemon Law requirements.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Commercial vehicles must have an active manufacturer warranty that came with the car—or an extended warranty purchased from the manufacturer or a valid third-party vendor.
Any defect must have occurred while the vehicle was under warranty coverage. If you noticed defects while the warranty was active and it has since expired, you have one year to pursue a claim from the expiration date.
Recurring Issues
The commercial vehicle must have mechanical or non-mechanical defects that make it dangerous or impossible to operate.
Multiple Repair Attempts
To qualify under California Lemon Law, you must allow manufacturers at least two repair attempts for the same issue. Or, the vehicle must be out of service and in repair for 30 cumulative days.
Differences Between Personal & Commercial Vehicles
To qualify for protection, your business cannot have more than five registered work vehicles. Additionally, the commercial vehicle must be used strictly for business purposes. Otherwise, the same Lemon Law requirements apply to both personal and commercial vehicles.
How to File a Lemon Law Claim For a Commercial Vehicle
While our legal team will do the heavy lifting if we believe you have a legitimate commercial vehicle Lemon Law claim, you can streamline the process by taking these important steps:
- Give the manufacturer at least two repair attempts
- Save repair records, invoices, and any record of communication you’ve had with the manufacturer
If the manufacturer fails to fix the defect after two attempts, or if your vehicle has been in the shop for 30 days, contact our experienced Lemon Law team immediately. We can help:
- Gather and organize all essential documents
- Draft and send a formal letter of complaint to the manufacturer
- Ensure the manufacturer responds to the formal complaint within 30 days
- Oversee the buy-back or replacement process to ensure manufacturers meet their legal obligations
Making Commercial Lemon Law Work for Your Business
When your commercial vehicle leaves you stranded, you can rest assured that our experienced Lemon Law team will get you back on the road. With a proven track record, hundreds of satisfied clients, and nearly a decade of consumer law experience, we obtain better results—faster. Contact us today for a free consultation!
