Whether you have purchased or leased a car, you have rights under the Lemon Law. If you believe that you have a car lemon, Johnson Attorneys Group can help. We can consult with you regarding your case and provide you with the necessary legal representation to fight for compensation for your lemon.
Car Lemons Can Come from a Variety of Manufacturers
As passenger vehicles, cars are one of the most common types of motor vehicles to fall under the California Lemon Law, which law provides consumers with protection if the vehicle turns out to be faulty. The models include Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Lotus, MINI Cooper, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
California Lemon Law for Brand New Cars
If you have purchased or leased a brand new car, it will come with one or more manufacturer's warranties that provide coverage for certain issues with the vehicle within a set period of time. For example, many manufacturers offer a “bumper-to-bumper” factory warranty that provides coverage for most systems and parts, excluding those that face regular wear and tear such as the tires. Manufacturers often also provide a “power train” factory warranty that covers other components of the vehicle that are more costly to repair, such as the engine and transmission. As long as your new car is covered under factory warranty, it is also covered under the California Lemon Law.
Is your Car Eligible for Lemon Law?
Many consumers are uncertain whether their used or pre-owned car is covered by the California Lemon Law. As long as your car is covered by a factory warranty, your vehicle falls under the protection of the Lemon Law. Many used and pre-owned cars are still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring protection. For used cars that are no longer under this factory warranty, you may be provided with a dealer factory warranty or extended service contract upon purchase. In addition, you may be protected under the Lemon Law if the dealer misrepresented the condition of the car.
In California, consumers who purchase a used car at a “buy here, pay here” dealership now have additional protection against being sold a lemon. These types of dealerships, who specialize in selling older, high-mileage vehicles to consumers who are not eligible for a standard car loan, are now required to provide a 30-day or 1,000 mile factory warranty for any used vehicle that they sell or lease. This ensures that for this given time period, your used vehicle is also covered under the California Lemon Law.
What Makes a Car a Lemon?
Because the California Lemon Law covers defects that impair the safety, use, or value of your motor vehicle, you may be wondering whether or not the problem you are experiencing with your car qualifies for protection under this law. While it is impossible to detail the numerous problems that lemons experience, these are some of the more common issues that arise with car lemons:
- Brake failure, including brake pedals and antilock braking systems
- Premature wear of the brakes and rotors
- Engine failure and other issues including overheating, not starting, stalling, strange noises, vibrations, computer malfunction, surging, and fire
- Transmission failure and other issues such as slipping, hard shifting, and jerking
- Sudden and/or uncontrolled acceleration
- Loss of power steering or steering pull
- Defects with the fuel line that can lead to fire
- Fuel injection system leakage
- Seat belt defects
- Paint defects
- Body defects
- Air bag malfunction
- Issues with heating & cooling
- Mold in the air conditioning system
- Electrical issues
- Cruise control malfunction
- Warning lights coming on
Car Manufacturer Recall Statistics
A car recall can occur when a vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notices either a safety related defect or non-compliance with federal regulations and makes the repair at no cost to the owner. Since the adoption of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act in 1966, over 390 million vehicles have been recalled to correct various issues. Although a recall doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in immediate danger, it does mean that the manufacturer has recognized a deficiency that needs to be fixed. Using car sales numbers from 1980-2013 and car recall numbers from 1985-2014, car search engine ISeeCars.com has compiled a helpful list of North American car manufacturers and their respective recall rates.
Contact Johnson Attorneys Group Today
If you believe that you have a car lemon on your hands, you need to find a qualified attorney to help you determine whether you have a case under the California Lemon Law and to prosecute the manufacturer of your lemon so that you can receive the compensation you deserve. At Johnson Attorneys Group, we can provide the legal representation that you require. Our skilled team of attorneys offers experience in a wide range of personal injury and consumer rights practice areas. Contact us today to receive a free consultation regarding your case.
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