California Lemon Law

California Lemon Law - Does My Vehicle Qualify?

Lemon Law serves to protect you from vehicle manufacturers and fraud from dealerships.

Lemon Law is governed by each state. In the state of California, Lemon Law protects your rights as a consumer, but you must know if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon and how the Lemon Law process works.

What is Lemon Law?

Lemon Law protects consumers by allowing them to receive a refund or replacement of a car that they’ve purchased. 

In order to qualify, your new vehicle must have a serious defect that is covered by warranty, and, after a “reasonable number” of attempts to remediate the same problem, it cannot be fixed.

Because Lemon Laws are governed by each state, states vary on what constitutes a “reasonable number” of attempts to fix the defect and what is considered a major defect in your vehicle.

broken down lemon car

California Lemon Law

It is imperative that you contact an experienced Lemon Law attorney concerning your vehicle’s eligibility under Lemon Law. 

Although there are some guidelines that we will discuss below, the details of your case are unique to you and your vehicle. Also, dealerships are reluctant to admit that they sold a defective car, and they will act in accordance to what is best for them, not you.

Therefore, in order to save time, protect your consumer rights, and properly assess whether or not your vehicle qualifies, contact us at Zamora Law Boutique, PLC.

Does My Vehicle Qualify as a Lemon under California Lemon Law?

The following new and used vehicles are covered under California Lemon Law:

  • Cars
  • Pick-up Trucks
  • Vans
  • SUVs
  • Some motorcycles, RVs, and motorhomes (depending on your specific case)
  • Vehicles purchased/leased primarily for business use
  • Vehicles purchased/leased primarily for personal/household use
  • The drive train, chassis, and chassis cab of a motor home

In order to file a claim in the state of California, you must prove that you have given the manufacturer/dealership a “reasonable number” of attempts to fix the same defect without the problem being resolved.

Here are a few guidelines that can help you:

  • The vehicle must be purchased in the state of California
  • The vehicle must be used for business, family, or personal use
  • The warranty must be current
  • The defect or problem must be covered under the warranty
  • The problem first occurred within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles (whichever came first)
  • The dealer or manufacturer has been unable to fix the issue after 4 or more attempts OR has been in a shop for 30+ days (does not have to be consecutive)
  • The problem reduces the safety, use, or value of the vehicle
  • The problem was not caused by abuse
To learn more about whether your vehicle is eligible, and to be sure that your Lemon Law process fully protects your rights as a consumer, contact us. We’re ready to help.
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