California Lemon Laws: How Exactly Do They Work?

Rs Law Offices/Our blog/California Lemon Laws: How Exactly Do They Work?

California Lemon Laws: How Exactly Do They Work?

14/07/2020

Buying a car in California, whether brand new or slightly used is always an exciting experience. Even if you already have a few in your garage, the thought of painting the town red in a new ride is nothing but thrilling. So, it can be incredibly disappointing if your new or used car keeps on breaking down. If you’ve recently bought or leased a vehicle in California and this describes your situation, chances are you’ve got a lemon. Below is a breakdown of California Lemon Laws, and how they may help you get a replacement or a refund.

What are California Lemon Laws?

Formerly known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the California
Lemon Law is a statute enacted to protect consumer goods that are purchased or leased for personal use. The California Vehicle Lemon Laws, to be precise, protect both new and used vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

The purpose of these laws is to protect consumers against auto-fraud by ensuring car manufacturers not only make quality auto products but also uphold their end of the warranty. These laws also help minimize the likelihood of car manufacturers using a warranty to mislead or coerce unsuspecting consumers into purchasing a defective vehicle. These laws cover both new and used cars, and mandate that auto-manufacturers or dealerships in California:

  • Offer adequate repair facilities throughout California for
    easy consumer access
  • Make sure that the repair of the defective car doesn’t take
    more than 30 days
  • Only attempt to fix the defective vehicle a certain number
    of times
  • Buyback, replace, or refund the car-buyer after a reasonable
    number of repair attempts.
  • Cover both consequential and incidental damages brought
    about by the defective car.

Determining If Your Car is a Lemon

However, note, these laws only cover cars bought or leased in California. Also, you have a higher chance of getting compensated within the first 18 months or the first 18,000 miles driven after the purchase of the car. A car is only a lemon if:

  • It has a defect that hampers its functionality or the safety
    of the user
  • The dealership or manufacturer was unable to repair the problem
    after reasonable attempts
  • It has been in the manufacturer’s repair shop for 30 or more
    days within the first 18 months or 18000 miles. Note, this doesn’t have to be
    consecutive, just cumulative.
  • The owner did not cause the problem 

Pursuing a Lemon Law Claim in California

If you’ve recently bought a vehicle and a few weeks or months down the line, you start running into issues; you can take it back to the dealership for repairs at no costs. If the issues continue even after reasonable repair attempts, the manufacturer is legally required to either repurchase it, replace it, or refund you. If they refute your lemon car claims and fail to repair or replace it, you have the right to file an official claim.

But where do you even start? Well, lemon claims are usually a little bit complex and are especially challenging to handle on your own. Hiring a lawyer experienced and reputable in handling lemon law claims is often the most recommendable step. If you’re having trouble getting your car repaired or replaced by a manufacturer or a dealership, feel free to get
in touch with one of our experienced Lemon Law attorneys for a free consultation.

blogs

You might like

Mold and LA Renters — Know Your Rights

You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health […]

27/09/2021
Read more

4 Common Mistakes that Ruin Workers Compensation Claims

Thousands of workers are injured annually while at the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one worker succumbed to workplace injuries every 99 minutes in 2019, while over 99,000 others retained non-fatal injuries. Despite the prevalence of workplace injuries and the increasing number of workers compensation claims, only a few victims are usually […]

25/01/2021
Read more

Hotels and Personal Injuries

Everyone is looking to travel right about now. Summer is getting into full swing, and whether you are looking to see a distant land or reacquaint yourself with familiar faces, you’re probably planning your next big adventure, too. Besides the normal precautions, like ensuring home security while you’re away, or booking some travel insurance, you […]

30/07/2021
Read more

Five Pedestrian Accident Facts

Some numbers have Arizona as the most dangerous state in the U.S. when it comes to pedestrians. They are in the most danger by simply being outnumbered, which means accidents are likely to rise as the number of automobiles on the road continues to rise. It is important for you to not only understand how […]

01/08/2022
Read more

Cell Phones and Accidents on the Road

We have all done it. Even with the headsets, the hands-free devices, and the ability to connect your phone to your car, all of us have reached for the phone while driving. Whether it’s checking a quick text at a stoplight or messing around with your maps app while driving in a new place, the […]

20/12/2021
Read more

What Causes Truck Tire Blowouts and What to Do When a Truck Tire Hits Your Car

18-wheeler trucks and other commercial vehicles are the backbone of our economy. They deliver nearly 70% of all freight transported annually, and account for over 700 billion of the country’s revenue annually.  Just because they’re critical to our economy, it doesn’t make them less dangerous. For instance, although it’s not as bad as a truck […]

01/02/2021
Read more

Top 3 Benefits of Engaging a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Top 3 Benefits of Engaging a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Being in a car accident, regardless of how minor, can be pretty devastating. So, if you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Los Angeles and you are confused, we assure you it is completely normal to feel that way. Car accidents […]

27/07/2020
Read more

Safety and Defensive Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

The old saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. According to research, accidents caused by big rigs or the 18-wheelers have increased by 52% since 2009. Safe and defensive driving involves saving lives, time, and money regardless of the conditions around you or other road users. Defensive driving for truck drivers goes beyond […]

14/03/2022
Read more

Five Apps for Increased Road Safety

Staying safe on the road is more important as more and more cities become increasingly dependent on automobile transportation. Increasedroad safety is about diligence and attentive driving, but there are also ways to “gamify” or in other ways incentivize safe driving, through smartphone apps. Here are five apps designed to keep you less distracted and […]

12/09/2022
Read more

How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a traffic accident than people inside passenger cars. In fact, they are 28 times more likely, due to a number of factors, including things like potential low visibility from the blind spots of other vehicles around them. Motorcycles are also most likely to be involved in collisions with […]

04/11/2022
Read more

contact form

Get in touch

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from RS Law Offices. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. View our Privacy Policy.