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

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Having your winter tires installed on your car and packing a windshield scraper is a good start to being prepared to drive in the winter, but as the cold weather gets harsher, the driving conditions get worse. With this comes the tendency for some people to overcorrect or not know how to stop properly, or […]

26/12/2022
Read more

Purchase or Replace a Lemon Car? Californian Lemon laws Relating to the Decisions

If your vehicle meets the Californian lemon law requirements, you have the right to ask for a car replacement or monetary compensation from the manufacturer. For financial compensation, the manufacturer is required to restore the buyer to their original position. However, if you prefer a car replacement, the manufacturer compensates you with a similar vehicle. […]

17/08/2020
Read more

Five Helpful Facts About Dog Bites

Dog bites are not only relatively common, but they can be incredibly dangerous. If you’re bitten by a dog, you run the risk of the obvious wound to your flesh or bone, but you also are at risk for an infection, including tetanus and rabies. It can be helpful to know how to treat such […]

19/09/2022
Read more

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the United States

Whether due to size, or footprint of the motorcycle, or sheer stability, or a combination of these factors, motorcycles are much more likely to be involved in an accident than other automobiles. Certainly, in some cases, this is a visibility issue as well, with many drivers of other automobiles not looking in their blind spots […]

06/01/2023
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

Workman’s Compensation and COVID in California

This past year has redefined a lot of things we usually take for granted. We’ve experienced new definitions of work, and even health, in general. Between telecommuting, staggered shifts, and widespread relocation, the face of business has changed rapidly. We have seen the rise of “essential workers” and “heroes” among our everyday neighbors and friends. […]

29/11/2021
Read more

Hellcats and Risky Driving

As Americans, and especially Californians, a lot of us love fast cars. But what happens when the speeds of our cars surpass the safety training of the average driver? Let’s take a look at understanding what the Hellcat trend includes, how it could impact you as a driver on the road, and why it can […]

22/10/2021
Read more

Slip and Fall Injury Facts

Slip and fall injuries are, unfortunately, quite common. They can occur anywhere – a public space, a business, or someone else’s home. The injuries can range in severity but can cause you to miss time away from work and make you incur huge medical debt. If you fell somewhere other than your own home, you […]

10/07/2022
Read more

More Apps for Increased Rideshare Safety

If every ride you take is just you and an unknown driver, it doesn’t hurt to look into your safety options. And while any unsure situation could potentially turn dangerous, you can do yourself a favor by finding helpful methods for letting people know where you are and where you’re going to be, and generally […]

09/02/2023
Read more

Defensive Driving in Arizona

Learning to drive defensively can be an effective skillset for any driver, anywhere. With collision-related deaths in Arizona going up from 2019 to 2020, from 980 to 1,057, now is a good time to keep in mind your safety and the safety of those around you while on the road in Arizona. Of course, many […]

23/05/2022
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.