Cars with a Major Safety Issue Qualify as a Lemon in California

Cars with a Major Safety Issue Qualify as a Lemon in CaliforniaDon’t Get Behind the Wheel of a Lemon

There are many dangerous and congested roads throughout California, so it’s good to know that if you discover a major safety issue that your car could qualify as a lemon.

Any driver traveling a busy freeway here is at risk of being involved in a collision, but there is an even greater risk of being hurt if your vehicle has a serious safety defect or malfunction.

Certainly, even drivers who travel the safest roads are at risk of being injured if they drive a defective vehicle. You may have seen newspaper headlines reporting fatality crashes where a disabled vehicle got struck by another motorist. Even a car with difficulty accelerating onto the freeway is at risk of being hit.  This may happen to vehicles with defective electrical circuits that could suddenly shut down the car. Furthermore, other dangerous defects include faulty brakes that may lead to a crash into other motorists, power poles, signs, or buildings.

Indeed, the traffic congestion in California is ranked among the worst in the United States. These roads are not places where you would want to find out your vehicle has manufacturing defects or issues. But fortunately, the Golden State has one of the best lemon laws in the country.  The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Song-Beverly Act) requires automakers to have both express and implied warranties on their new vehicles. The carmaker must repair or replace any defective parts or systems during the warranty period.

What Major Safety Issue Qualifies as a Lemon?

Consumers should understand there is a law to protect them if their vehicle has a major safety issue. Drivers, passengers, and other motorists are all at risk of injury or death in an unsafe vehicle.

Remarkably, under California Lemon Law, any serious defect could impair the safety of a vehicle and qualify it as a lemon. It could be brake failure, structural problems, steering or braking issues, faulty airbags, or almost anything that makes the vehicle unsafe.

“No one should be driving a dangerous vehicle,” said Attorney James Johnson, a California lemon law attorney. “It’s imperative that owners of defective vehicles are reimbursed or have their car replaced when it is no longer safe to drive it.”

To be considered a lemon, clearly, there must be substantial defects that affect a vehicle’s “use, value, or safety.”  However, the problem must be from a defect that was not caused by you. These defects include issues that negatively affect the engine, braking system, driveline, suspension, rear differential, turbocharger, axle system, cooling system, or SRS/airbag system. It also covers any electrical problems and issues with the navigation system.

Cars with a Major Safety Issue Qualify as a Lemon in California

California Lemon Law Attorney, James Johnson of Johnson Attorneys Group.

Under California lemon laws, consumers are protected if their vehicle becomes a safety hazard while it is still under the original factory warranty and is owned by the person who first purchased it.

While most people assume there is a safety risk when the issue involves only major problems, the fact is defects that appear to be small can be a serious safety risk. For example, faulty windshield wipers could fail during a downpour and the driver is unable to see the roadway or an electrical short could turn off headlights at night.

You are required to give the auto manufacturer a “reasonable number” of attempts to fix your vehicle. If it cannot be fixed, there are remedies available to car owners with defective vehicles. The manufacturer could replace or buy back your vehicle. However, auto manufacturers will not willingly buy back your defective vehicle without a fight. So if a driver has serious safety concerns, whether it’s something that appears to be a minor problem such as a faulty mirror or something major like a faulty electrical system, it’s time to call an experienced attorney.

Free Lemon Law Attorney Consultation at 1-(800) 558-1087

Cars with a Major Safety Issue Qualify as a Lemon in California

It’s best to take action immediately if you have safety concerns with your vehicle.

Do you own a defective Ford Maverick pickup truck, Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair that is experiencing repeated problems, electrical issues, or a dangerous safety issue? If that sounds familiar, you don’t have to wait for a recall before you reach out to an experienced attorney and get help. California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.

We highly recommend Ford owners with engine or other problems obtain invoices for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Contact us for a free case review at 1-(800) 558-1087 or read on for answers to frequently asked questions. 

Published on May 20, 2024

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about vehicles that may be covered by the California lemon law. However, the lemon law has very specific requirements that must be met for your vehicle to be considered a lemon. Every case has a unique set of circumstances and there are specific criteria that must be met for the lemon law to apply. It is imperative that you take immediate action if you believe your vehicle may qualify.

 

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James Johnson ESQ
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