FORD LEMON LAW Lawyer in California

Ford Lemon Law covers all models sold with a manufacturer or dealer warranty. The defect(s) must be reported while under warranty to qualify.

Learning the qualifications of lemon law in California is the first step in seeking compensation for your defective vehicle. Consumers may be eligible for Ford lemon law settlements if:

• The vehicle is currently covered under the original manufacturer or dealer warranty, and
• The Ford exhibits one or more defects that compromise the vehicle’s safety, functionality, or value, and
• The manufacturer-authorised repair facility cannot fix the defect in a reasonable number of repair attempts, or
• The vehicle has been in the shop for 30 or more days for repairs, and
• The defect(s) were not a result of driver abuse.
• Documentation is everything in a Ford California lemon law case. Be sure to hold onto it throughout the entire repair process and subsequent lemon claim process.

If your vehicle meets the criteria of the lemon law in California, the Ford lemon law buyback may include:

• Complete reimbursement for the cost of the Ford, minus a mileage offset (down payment, all monthly payments made, and the remaining balance of the loan).
• All official costs paid for the vehicle (sales tax, registration, etc.)
• All incidental costs associated with the lemon (towing fees, cab fares, hotel stays, meals, etc.)
• All court fees and attorney expenses.

Hold onto ALL receipts and documentation for the reimbursements above.

No! This is one of consumers’ biggest mistakes in the lemon law process. While your Ford is under warranty, ALL repairs must be handled by a manufacturer-certified repair facility. Getting repairs done by a 3rd party mechanic can compromise (or void) your Ford lemon law buyback.

You are only eligible for lemon law benefits while the vehicle is under warranty. The claim may still be valid as long as the defect was first reported while the warranty was still in effect. The warranty expiring during the repair process usually does not impact the claim.

Timelines are critical in lemon law claims. You need to report the issue to the manufacturer immediately. Delaying the repair process can put your claim at risk – not to mention endanger your own safety and that of other drivers.

Yes! California is one of the most consumer-friendly states regarding lemon law. Used cars are covered by the Lemon Law while they are under a dealership warranty. These are usually good for 30 days or 1,000 miles. If your used Ford meets the state’s qualifications while under the dealer warranty, it can be processed like new.
Dealerships must specify whether the used Ford is being sold “as is” on the buyer’s guide. This means there is no warranty, and the consumer takes responsibility for all defects once they drive off the lot.

Yes! California is one of the most consumer-friendly states regarding lemon law. Used cars are covered by the Lemon Law while they are under a dealership warranty. These are usually good for 30 days or 1,000 miles. If your used Ford meets the state’s qualifications while under the dealer warranty, it can be processed like new.
Dealerships must specify whether the used Ford is being sold “as is” on the buyer’s guide. This means there is no warranty, and the consumer takes responsibility for all defects once they drive off the lot.

“As is” agreements are normal in private car sales. Dealerships are required to indicate if a vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a warranty. The “as is” clause means no warranty is in place, and the buyer is responsible for any defects/repairs. The lemon law in California may not have any protections for Ford vehicles being sold “as is.”

Sometimes, there will be no indication of a dealer warranty or “as is” clause on the buyer’s guide. If this is the case, the vehicle may still have an implied warranty of merchantability. This unspoken warranty indicates the car works for its intended purpose. In California, implied warranties are usually good for at least 60 days or up to a year.

Since there are no written terms for implied warranties, seeking benefits under the Ford lemon law can be tough. You’ll need a skilled attorney to fight for your claim.

Experienced lemon law lawyers work on a contingent fee agreement. This agreement means they usually do not make a percentage of the Ford lemon law buyback settlement once the manufacturer pays it out. Instead, the manufacturer must pay all of the consumer’s attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses at the end of the case. Therefore, the lemon law lawyer won’t charge consumers a penny upfront to take the case.

Anyone can afford to hire a good lemon law attorney. Most consumers have never dealt with a lemon before – and aren’t aware of the contingent fee agreement. But be careful of inexperienced lemon law attorneys who are naive about how lemon law works. Often, these attorneys demand out-of-pocket costs upfront and then accept subpar settlements from the manufacturer.