Lemon Law
Recently, Senate Bill 1718 brought important changes to Lemon Law protections for new vehicle owners. Under this updated law, the number of failed repair attempts for defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury has been reduced from four to two before a vehicle is considered a “lemon.” Additionally, Lemon Law protections now extend to vehicles with a manufacturer’s weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds that are bought or used primarily for business purposes.
These changes enhance consumer protection, ensuring that dangerous vehicle defects are addressed more swiftly, and extending protections to a broader range of vehicles.
How Lemon Law Works
The California Lemon Law (also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) is designed to protect consumers who purchase or lease warranted motor vehicles. If a vehicle qualifies as a “lemon,” the vehicle’s manufacturer must repurchase or replace it.
To have a valid Lemon Law claim, the following conditions must be met:
- The vehicle must be used at least some of the time for personal, family, or household purposes. Vehicles used exclusively for business may not qualify under this law.
- The vehicle must have issues covered by a warranty. No warranty means no Lemon Law case.
- The manufacturer must fail to repair the warranty-covered issues after a reasonable number of attempts. Generally, safety-related issues may require fewer attempts to qualify as a lemon.
- The problem must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
If these conditions are met, you may be entitled to a vehicle replacement or a refund of the purchase or lease price.
Steps to Take If You Have a Lemon
If you suspect your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, here are the steps to take:
Start Keeping Records: Track all repair attempts, time lost from work, and the number of days your vehicle has been in the shop. Document everything, including detailed service reports.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation: Our Lemon Law Lawyers are here to help. We will review your case and immediately send a demand letter to the manufacturer requesting a vehicle buyback or damages.
Legal Representation: If the manufacturer refuses to repurchase your vehicle, we will take further legal steps, including filing a suit if necessary. If alternate dispute resolution is required, we will represent you throughout the process.
Why You Need a Lemon Law Lawyer
Navigating Lemon Law claims can be complex, but having an experienced Lemon Law attorney on your side offers several benefits:
- We advise you on your consumer rights and ensure you get the maximum possible restitution.
- We handle all communications with the manufacturer, avoiding any statements that could harm your case.
- With an attorney by your side, you gain more negotiating power, often leading to quicker resolutions.
California’s Lemon Law includes an “attorney’s fees and costs provision,” meaning the manufacturer is responsible for paying your legal fees, making hiring an attorney financially feasible.
Contact Information
If you believe your vehicle is a lemon, contact us today for a free, same-day case review. Our Lemon Law Lawyers are ready to assist you.
Call us at:
(949) 464–8529
(415) 480–4770
Let us help you exercise your California Lemon Law rights and get the compensation you deserve!
Babak Hashemi, Esq. is a lemon law attorney knows the ins and outs of the CA lemon law and can help you manage your case and receive the highest amount possible.
Other benefits of letting our office handle your case include:
- We will advise you of your consumer rights.
- You may end up getting a resolution much quicker than attempting to deal with the issue yourself.
- You will have more negotiating power with an attorney at your side that knows the law.
- Our office can handle correspondence with your manufacturer so you can avoid making statements that could damage your case.