FAQ

What is the Lemon Law?

One of the government's jobs is to protect consumers from fraud and defective products. To protect consumers from defective cars, states have enacted "lemon laws." Each entity adjusts according to its criteria to protect consumers who have acquired or rented vehicles or some other consumer goods with manufacturing defects. The Lemon Law forces manufacturers or distributors to replace or refund the money to the consumer if several repairs attempt or the faults persists after several repair attempts.

What am I entitled to if I qualify for the Lemon Law?

When you obtain a consumer good or a vehicle, and it meets specific requirements, you qualify to receive the benefits of the Lemon Law. These include a replacement and restitution for both the down payment and monthly payments, registration, taxes, and incidental expenses such as car rental, towing services, attorney's fees, and representation costs. For its part, the manufacturer has the right to deduct a fee according to the vehicle's use from the miles accumulated until the warranty made the first repair.

Does Lemon Law Apply to Used Vehicles?

Yes. Under certain conditions, a used car may qualify for Lemon Law benefits as long as you purchased it with a written warranty. A used car can be eligible under the lemon law as long as it's sold with a written guarantee. But frequently, used vehicles are sold while still under the manufacturer's warranty or the dealer's warranty. If this is the case, then your used car may qualify under the lemon laws.

How Much is The Fee for a Lemon Law attorney?

There should be no upfront costs or retainer fees when hiring a lemon law attorney. Working with a specialist lawyer affiliated with the National Lemon Law Center does not cost you. Lemon Law requires that you do not have a single position since it is the manufacturer or dealer who must cover the relevant fees and legal expenses throughout the process. We will ensure that you receive fair compensation or reimbursement.

Is There A Time Limit To File a Lemon Law Claim?

The short answer is NO. The mileage and “presumption” language of the Act are often and erroneously believed to be a limitation. But it is not! Without getting too technical, the court uses this information only at the time of trial and gives the consumer some advantages. Fortunately for consumers, California’s lemon law is not strictly limited by the miles or age of the vehicle. As long as the manufacturer’s new car warranty is still in effect, the lemon law applies.

What is Meant by "Lemon" in the Law?

This law considers as a "Lemon" all products (especially vehicles) with defects or with which the consumer is not satisfied to be repaired during a considerable period and after several attempts with the same problem. Anyone with a fit vehicle, truck, SUV, appliance, or computer can seek the benefit of the Lemon Law. Any defective product or good qualifies as a "lemon" by these consumer's protection law.

What Types of Vehicles Qualify for the Requirements of The Lemon Law in California?

Vehicles such as cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, computers, home appliances, and several other products may all be covered under your state's lemon laws, as well as under federal lemon law. You must have acquired the vehicles for personal, domestic, or family purposes, even though the Lemon Laws can also apply to business vehicles. There are specific rules under the California Civil Code Section 1793.22 about commercial vehicles.

Whom does the California Lemon Law Protect?

California Lemon law protects all consumers who purchase a new or used vehicle with irreparable defects within the manufacturer's warranty period. These laws give car buyers the right to receive a refund or new car. Depending on the circumstances, repair attempts are allowed; however, at least two or three tries are required.

What Results Can I Expect from my Lemon Law Claim?

The answer to this question is "it depends." Each situation is different and particular; according to the litigation, you can receive a cash settlement for your vehicle's failures or the total replacement of the same. Both the manufacturer and the dealer are in a position to offer you to buy the defective product that professional service could not repair within the warranty. Having discussed these variables, the average timeframe for a positive resolution is anywhere from 1 month to 5 months. Cases that go to trial may take longer.

What if the dealer or manufacturer does not refund or replace my vehicle?

The warranty is the manufacturer's responsibility, and only the manufacturer can refund or replace the disputed vehicle or product. Suppose you believe that you have been given enough time and opportunity to perform vehicle repairs, change or refund, but the problem persists. You can sue a car dealership for not fixing a problem that should have been fixed when you first brought the car in for repair.

Does the Lemon Law Protect The Consumer Only During The Warranty?

While California lemon law applies throughout the warranty period, it is possible to request arbitration up to 6 - 18 months after the warranty applicable to the vehicle or product has expired. This extension applies to manufacturers certified by the State of California.

After How Many Attempts to Repair, Can the Lemon Law Be Applied?

According to applicable law in California, if the defect is not a serious safety defect, it must remain unfixed after three or four repair attempts, though the number varies by state. If the manufacturer is unable to repair a defect after these “reasonable” number of repair attempts, then it must either replace the vehicle or buy it back.

Is It Necessary to Hire a Lawyer to Apply for The Lemon Law?

You are free to choose whether or not to hire the professional services of an attorney. Still, the most advisable thing is to have specialized advice. Both the dealer and the manufacturer will try their best to deny liability, which could end in a lower settlement than your case's actual value. A lawyer with experience dealing with lemons and manufacturers can quickly review your claim, guide your steps accordingly, answer your questions, and deliver the best possible results!

What Criteria Does The Lemon Law Provide for a Vehicle to Apply?

With the presumption, California law establishes a series of criteria to consider a vehicle "lemon." But In most states, the lemon law requires the problem meet these thresholds: Within the first 18 months of acquisition or leased or before the first 18,000 miles have been given: 4 or more attempts to repair the same problem. Two or more attempts to fix an issue that could lead to an accident with injury or death; the vehicle was out of service for more than 30 days. If you meet these criteria by California law, your vehicle may be considered a lemon, and you are entitled to a refund or replacement.

What Happens When The Result does not Favor Me?

Suppose the original manufacturer's warranty is in effect. There are still more attempts on your part to repair the vehicle. In that case, you have the right to request arbitration when the repair attempt is unsuccessful. You can consult with our attorney to discuss all the legal options. Arbitration is usually resolved within no more than 40 days. Most Law firms claim for a 90% success rate, so your chances of receiving fair compensation are big.