Has the excitement about your new vehicle soured due to constant trips to the mechanic? If so, you might be dealing with a “lemon”—a car with defects that cannot be repaired, even after multiple attempts by a certified professional.
California law protects consumers who purchase dangerous and faulty vehicles, and other defects that may be present.
Recurring Mechanical Problems
One of the most common signs that your vehicle might be a lemon is constant mechanical problems that seem to defy every repair attempt. These defects may include faulty components, electrical issues, engine or transmission troubles, and frequent breakdowns.
Safety Risks
Lemon vehicles frequently have defects that endanger drivers and passengers as well as other vehicles on the road. These defects may include faulty airbags, defective brakes, sudden power losses, or unresolved recalls. While recalls are not uncommon, neglecting to address them or experiencing repeated failed attempts to address a recall are often clear indicators that a vehicle is a lemon.
Excessive Downtime
When a vehicle spends more time in the shop than on the road, it may be a lemon. But how much time constitutes “excessive downtime?” In most cases, California Lemon Law only applies to warrantied vehicles that have spent 30 days off the road and in service by a mechanic.
Good news: California Lemon Law still applies to your vehicle even if your warranty has expired, as long as you made repair attempts under warranty and are still experiencing the same recurring issues.
Manufacture Cannot Address the Defect
California Lemon Law requires that the manufacturer or authorized dealer must make a “reasonable number” of attempts to fix the vehicle’s defects. What constitutes “reasonable?”
Generally, you may have a lemon if you have made at least two to four separate and documented attempts to repair the same issue.
I Think My Vehicle is a Lemon. Now What?
If you are dealing with any of these issues and have given the warranty provider “reasonable” attempts to address them without success, it’s time to take the next step.
Begin by collecting all your paperwork—the purchase or lease agreement, repair records, correspondence with the manufacturer, and any documents related to the warranty coverage. Next, contact our experienced California Lemon Law attorneys at CA Consumer Law APC for a free consultation. Together, we will review your documents and provide legal guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Empowering Consumers by Defending Against Defective Purchases
Are you a California consumer who purchased a defective car, RV, motorcycle, or product that fails to meet warranty standards? We can help. Using a strategic yet client-focused approach, the CA Consumer Law APC legal team has helped countless California consumers fight for their rights by seeking recourse against negligent manufacturers. Contact us today for a free consultation!
