Lemon Law
If you have purchased a vehicle that doesn’t perform as expected or advertised, that investment can quickly become a nightmare. You may have a “lemon.” A lemon refers to a vehicle that has persistent problems that affect the operation or safety of the vehicle.
The good news is that California has what are called “lemon laws.” These laws protect consumers who are struggling with a vehicle purchase that is not what was expected.
What is a Lemon?
A lemon is a new or used vehicle with a warranty that has defects which affect operability or safety. Under California law, a lemon is a vehicle that meets the following criteria:
- It was purchased or leased from a dealer in California.
- The vehicle has a warranty.
- An authorized repair facility attempted to repair the vehicle, but cannot do so despite a number of attempts.
- The vehicle’s defect(s) significantly impairs function, operability, safety, or general use.
If problems or defects are repeated or cause your vehicle to be inoperable for 30 days or longer, the vehicle is considered – by California law – to be a lemon.
What Defects are Common in Lemons?
Some examples of the types of defects that consumers experience with lemons include:
- Electrical Problems
- Defective Engines
- Battery Fires
- Cruise Control Defects
- Defective Steering
- Transmission Failure
- Improper Airbag Deployment
Getting Help with California Lemon Laws
If you believe you have a lemon, contact GBLaw. Our team helps clients across Southern California understand and assert their legal rights when it comes to lemons.
