Purchasing a new car is exciting, but when that car turns out to be a lemon, that excitement quickly sours. In California, consumers are protected by the California Lemon Law when a vehicle is defective and cannot be repaired. The California Lemon Law applies to most new cars purchased or leased in the state. It may also apply to certain used vehicles, provided the used vehicle is still under an active manufacturer’s warranty.
Under the California Lemon Law, when a new vehicle is faulty, the manufacturer is legally required to either buy the car back from the consumer or replace it. However, before offering a buyback or replacement, the manufacturer is allowed a reasonable number of repair attempts to resolve the issue. A “reasonable number” is typically defined as four attempts unless the problem may result in serious injury or death. In that case, a “reasonable number” is defined as two repair attempts.
How to Know If You Have Grounds for a Lemon Law Claim
To be eligible to file a lemon law claim, the problem you are experiencing with your vehicle must have first occurred in the first 18 months of ownership or within the first 18,000 miles. Your vehicle must still be under its original manufacturer’s warranty, and there must have been at least four attempts by the manufacturer to resolve the issue you are experiencing (or at least two if the fault is such that it may cause serious injury or a fatality).
You may have grounds to file a lemon law claim in California if:
- You purchased a new vehicle under warranty
- You purchased a certified pre-owned vehicle under warranty and with fewer than 70,000 miles
- Your vehicle has multiple documented repair attempts
- Your vehicle was purchased and taken possession of in California
- Your vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 days (these days do not have to be consecutive)
If you are unsure if your vehicle is a lemon, contact our law firm for guidance. We can provide you with a free initial case evaluation and determine if filing a lemon law claim is in your best interest. When preparing for your consultation, we recommend that you collect any documentation regarding the defect with your vehicle, your vehicle’s registration, all paperwork about the purchase or lease of your vehicle, your warranty information, and all receipts and invoices for any repair work.
Call us today for a no-obligation, free case consultation. Dial our law firm at (818) 960-1945 or schedule an appointment online.
California Lemon Lawyers, APC Fights for Consumers
At California Lemon Lawyers, APC, we understand how frustrating it is to discover that your vehicle is a lemon. We also know how complicated and overwhelming the process of filing a lemon law claim can be. Our Sherman Oaks-based lemon law lawyers have helped hundreds of clients across the greater Los Angeles area and throughout the State of California.
Our lemon law attorneys can help you:
- Determine if you are eligible to file a lemon law claim in California
- Review your legal options and help you identify your best path forward
- Seek compensation for damages associated with your lemon law claim
- Manage your lemon law case from start to finish
We have recovered more than $10 million for our clients. With over a decade of experience backing us, we have handled hundreds of lemon law cases in California, and we understand how the system works. We aim to get you the most favorable resolution to your case possible, and we are prepared to put our vast experience to work for you.
Schedule your free consultation online now. Or dial our office at (818) 960-1945. California Lemon Lawyers is standing by. If we can’t answer your call immediately, we guarantee we will get back to you within 24 hours.
