Is My Car Covered by Lemon Law in California?

If You Are Driving a Lemon, You Have Rights

California Lemon Law is designed to protect you and ensure your safety. A defective vehicle, whether a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, utility vehicle, or RV, is known as a lemon. If your vehicle is under warranty and has defects that are not repairable after multiple attempts, federal and state lemon laws can help. You have the right to file a claim under the Lemon Law in California.
Whether they are new or used, purchased or leased, cars are the primary type of products covered by the Lemon Law. In fact, special sections of the Lemon Law were enacted to specifically assist buyers or lessees of defective cars.

Under the Lemon Law, “new motor vehicles” are protected and are defined as cars that are purchased brand new or that are purchased used but have the remainder of their new vehicle express warranty still in effect. Cars covered by the Lemon Law also include those that are used by small businesses that have five or fewer vehicles registered to them and those that are turned into recreational vehicles, transport vans, delivery vehicles, and other vehicles used by consumers and small businesses. Sage Law Group, LLP has over 25 years of Lemon Law experience, so we understand what kinds of circumstances will meet the requirements of the Lemon Law. If you believe your car is a lemon, contact us as soon as possible so that we can listen to your story and help you file a claim.

Sage Law Group is well-acquainted with these cases and provides comprehensive legal assistance. Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, if you own a lemon vehicle, you are entitled to a replacement or refund. To qualify, your vehicle must meet California’s legal guidelines for lemons, and proving this requires legal expertise.

Lemon Law Requirements for Repairing & Replacing Defective Vehicles

All car owners know that problems pop up from time to time. It is not unusual to have to take your car to a mechanic occasionally – this is just a routine part of car ownership. However, chronic and persistent problems – especially ones that pose a serious threat to your safety – are unacceptable.

If your car’s defects qualify under the Lemon Law and the responsible party is not taking action, you are entitled to compensation. Luckily, the law helps buyers and lessees prove that their car is a lemon. Section 1793.22 of the Lemon Law creates a special presumption that a car is a lemon if you have taken the vehicle in for service on multiple occasions or if your vehicle has remained in the repair shop for 30 or more days. Under these circumstances, it will be presumed in the eyes of the law that the store, dealer, or manufacturer has had a reasonable opportunity to repair it, strengthening your Lemon Law claim.

The Lemon Law also imposes certain requirements on stores, dealers, and manufacturers when they know it will take longer than 30 days to repair your vehicle. For example, before a party may keep your vehicle in its shop for more than 30 days, it must get your approval in writing to do so. If they do not obtain your approval, then there has been a separate violation of the Lemon Law entitling you to bring an action for damages and other relief.

We recommend speaking with a lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles at the first sign of trouble with your car so that we can best advise you on how to proceed and position you in an ideal way to receive suitable compensation for your loss. Sage Law Group, LLP has the experience and skill needed to aggressively pursue a Lemon Law claim on your behalf and help you seek a favourable resolution.