California Lemon Law

What is California Lemon Law ? California Lemon Law is a state granted consumer-right that safeguards consumers against purchases of faulty or defective (Lemon) products. Although the product may be anything, the California Lemon Law bears a special allegiance to faulty, malfunctioning automobiles. Main-points of California Lemon Law Also known as Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act, the California Lemon Law states that if a purchased vehicle turns out to be defective in the warranty period rendering it unfit for use or inflicts some serious injuries to the user, then the consumer has every right to ask for refund or replacement. The Lemon Law holds the manufacturer responsible for all the defects and problems in a Lemon Vehicle. Once the flaws are brought to the notice of the manufacturer, the manufacturer is bound to do the repair-works. In case the manufacturer fails to set the problem right even after some genuine attempts, the company must either replace the defective vehicle or refund the consumer's money. The Law also empowers the customer to file a Lemon Lawsuit in any Court of Law if a manufacturer denies to comply with the repair / refund / replacement plea even after the snags in the automobile are detected and proved. Additionally, refund for expenses incurred on various heads like repairing charges, rental vehicle charges and even your lawyer's fees are secured under the California Lemon Law. The same set of laws is applicable for leased vehicles as well. Under What Circumstances Can Consumers Seek Protection Under The Lemon Law In Calfornia? California Lemon Law permits buyers and renters of both new and used vehicles to demand for full refund or replacement when the vehicles are declared 'Lemons' - faulty and unfit for use. However, this declaration calls for the following proof: - The defect is a manufacturing defect and is certainly not a result of mishandling. - The vehicle has been repaired at least four times and still the defect persists. (In case of serious defects that can lead to injuries and death, the number of repair attempts has been lowered to two repairs). - The defect is detected but is not set right within the period of 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever is earlier). What The Consumers Need To Do? The California Lemon Law truly protects the rights and interests of consumers. However, the customers need to attend specific requirements like: - Abide by the instructions in the User's Manual while driving or handling the vehicle. - Take the vehicle only to authorized service centers for all repair-works and servicing. - California Lemon Law only recognizes a written complaint sent to the manufacturer as a formal legal notice. For added safety, you may send the complaint through certified mail. - All the vehicle documents, all repair records, technical reports, etc. should be kept handy because lodging a complaint or filing a case calls for accurate proof. Unless and until you fulfill all the above requirements, you will not be able to enjoy the benefits and protection offered by the California Lemon Law.

Top 4 Lemon Law

MYTH #1: You are not entitled to anything if your vehicle has been fixed.
In many states, if you meet one of the triggers in the State or Federal Lemon Law that deem your car a Lemon, you are legally entitled to get rid of your Lemon or get cash, even if the manufacturer later fixes your vehicle. After all, why should you have to drive around in a potentially unsafe vehicle in order to be protected by the Law? If they cannot fix your vehicle in a reasonable amount of time, your rights are triggered and there is nothing the manufacturer can do to take those away from you, including fixing the car months later.
MYTH #2: You have no case because you have traded in your vehicle
You can recover thousands of dollars of cash even if you have traded in your vehicle! Most State and Federal Laws clearly provide for cash back even after you have traded in your vehicle. Have you ever thought about all the money you paid for a car that did not live up to the standards that were advertised by the manufacturer? Or were you forced to roll "negative equity" from the Lemon that you traded in into the purchase price of your new car, thus increasing the cost of your new car? The Law recognizes this as being unfair. Due to the problems you had with your automobile, you simply did not get what you paid for it. You got something less than what you bargained for. That is the basis of your damages and these can be recovered even if you no longer have possession of your vehicle!
MYTH #3: Your car does not qualify for Lemon Law relief
In many States, there are no easy black and white “qualifications” for you to recover thousands of dollars or for you to get rid of your vehicle. This is definitely true of the Federal Lemon Law. If someone who is not looking out for your best interests, such as the dealer, told you this - be careful! Naturally, they have the car company's best interests at heart. This is the last person you should listen to. In fact, it has been rumored that the Manufacturers actually train dealer personnel to minimize the chances of a Lemon Law suits being filed by various methods. Also, many times the dealer employees have never even read the Law, nor are they licensed attorneys. More importantly, there is more than one Lemon Law and other consumer protection Laws that can be used to help you recover money, in addition to the State Lemon Law.
MYTH # 4: You must file your Lemon Law claim within a very short period of time, such as 1 or 2 years or 12,000 to 18,000 miles.
This is commonly misunderstood by people who are not trained in the Law, i.e. non-lawyers who in trying to be helpful, often do more harm than good. You usually have up to 4 years from the date your warranty was breached (i.e. after multiple repair attempts) to file a claim under a State or a Federal Lemon Law. You may have even longer in certain States and under other consumer protection Laws.
To make sure you don't fall victim to any misinformation, here's how to get the facts fast:
Use this Lemon Law Lawyer finder, to find an experienced Lemon Law attorney that knows the Laws and the "tricks" dealers and manufacturers often use on inexperienced vehicle owners.