California Lemon Cars Attorney

Dedicated California Lemon Cars Lawyer Ready To Assist You

Common Lemon Cars in California

Just about everybody knows what a “lemon” is – it’s a vehicle that never runs right and is frequently in the shop, almost from the day you drive it off the lot. Although the statistical reality is that any car can turn out to be a lemon – lemons are more often found in some makes and models than in others. California responded to frequent consumer complaints by passing the lemon law.

The California Lemon Law, part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, allows qualifying consumers to obtain a refund or replacement if their car qualifies as a “lemon.” Determining whether you have a valid claim is the easy part. The hard part is enforcing your claim at the negotiating table or in court. Professional legal assistance can maximize your chances.

My Practice Centers on Lemon Law and Auto Dealer Fraud

Although California does not specifically license a sub-specialty in “lemon law,” if such a subspeciality were available I would probably qualify. As a trusted California lemon cars lawyer, I have been assisting California consumers with lemon law claims for over 20 years now, and there is not much that a vehicle manufacturer can try to pull that I have not successfully dealt with many times before.

Over the years I have handled thousands of lemon law cases. Most of these cases have been resolved through settlement. In some cases, however, the defendant is stubborn and a trial is necessary. I have successfully handled many, many lemon law trials, along with appeals all the way up the Supreme Court of California. I will settle if I can – otherwise I am ready to fight for you.

Is Your Vehicle One of Those on the CA Lemon Cars List?

Lemon vehicles may come in all shapes and sizes, makes and models – from an inexpensive and modest used sedan to a luxury SUV with all of the bells and whistles. Your lemon could be almost any type of vehicle, including:

Cars and sedans
Sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
Trucks and pickup trucks
Motorcycles and motorbikes
Recreational vehicles (RVs), motorhomes, and trailers
Boats and watercraft

Vehicle Makes & Models That May Be Lemons

Regardless of a manufacturers reputation for making quality vehicles, and no matter how expensive your vehicles is – it could still be a lemon. Below, we’ve listed just a few of the types of cars and trucks that have had lemon issues in the past.

Acura RDX
Acura RL
Acura TL
Acura TSX
Chrysler 300
Chrysler Aspen
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
Chrysler Sebring Sedan
Chrysler Sebring Sedan Convertible
Chrysler Crossfire
Ford Mustang
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus
Ford Taurus
Ford 500
Audi A3
Audi A4
Audi A5
Audi A6
Audi A8
Audi S4
Audi R8
Audi S5
Audi S6
Audi S8
Audi TT
Audi RS4
Volkswagen Eos
Volkswagen GLI
Volkswagen GTI
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
Volkswagen Passat Sedan
Volkswagen Passat Wagon
Volkswagen Rabbit
Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg 2
Volkswagen R32
Cadillac CTS
Cadillac STS
Cadillac DTS
Cadillac Roadster
Cadillac CST-v
Cadillac STS-v
Cadillac XLR-v
Cadillac Deville
Cadillac Seville
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima Coupe
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan Sentra
Nissan Versa
Nissan Versa Sedan
Nissan Versa Hatchback
Nissan 350Z Coupe
Nissan 350Z Roadster
BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series Convertible
BMW 3 Series Coupe
BMW 3 Series Sedan
BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon
BMW 5 Series
BMW 6 Series
BMW M5
BMW M6
BMW M
BMW 2008
BMW 7 Series
BMW Z4
Infiniti G35 Sedan
Infiniti G37 Coupe
Infiniti M
Honda Accord Coupe
Honda Accord Sedan
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda Accord
Honda Civic GX
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Civic Sedan
Honda Civic Si Coupe
Honda Civic Si Sedan
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Civic NGV
Honda S 2000
Dodge Avenger
Dodge Caliber
Dodge Charger
Dodge Viper
Dodge Magnum
Buick Park Avenue
Buick Century
Buick Lesabre
Buick Lacrosse
Buick Lucerne
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Cobalt
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Malibu
Mercury Grand Marquis
Mercury Milan
Mercury Sable
Mercury Montego
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Solara
Toyota Prius
Toyota Yaris
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Azera
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Tiburon
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz CL Class
Mercedes-Benz CLK Class
Mercedes-Benz E Class
Mercedes-Benz S Class
Mercedes-Benz SL Class
Mercedes-Benz SLK Class
Mercedes-Benz SLR
Mercedes-Benz CLS Class
Lexus ES 350
Lexus GS 350
Lexus GS 450h
Lexus GS 460
Lexus IS 250
Lexus IS 350
Lexus LS 460
Lexus LS 600h
Lexus SC 430
Lexus GS 430
Lincoln Town Car
Lincoln MKZ
Kia Amanti
Kia Rio
Kia Spectra
Kia Sepctra5
Kia Optima
Pontiac G5
Pontiac G6
Pontiac G8
Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Solstice
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Mitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Lancer
Saturn Astra
Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid
Saturn Sky
Saturn Ion
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
Saab 9-5 SportCombi
Saab 9-5 Sedan
Volvo C30
Volvo C70
Volvo S40
Volvo S60
Volvo S80
Volvo V50
Subaru Impreza
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Mazda 3
Mazda 5
Mazda 6
Mazda Speed 3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda Speed 6
Mazda RX-8
MINI Cooper
MINI Cooper Clubman
Scion xD
Scion tC
Scion xB
Suzuki Forenza
Suzuki Forenza Wagon
Suzuki Reno
Suzuki Aerio Sedan

Please note that these are just a small selection of vehicles that have had issues with material defects in the past. Even if the vehicle you are experiencing issues with is not on this list, don’t hesitate to find out more about your potential lemon case by speaking with a skilled California lemon cars attorney today.

Understanding Material Defects

No matter the make, model, or year of your vehicle, it may be a lemon as long as it suffers from a “material defect.” What does this legal term mean? Very simply, it means that there is a defect with your car or truck that affects the safety, use, or value of your vehicle. It is also a defect that is the fault of the manufacturer – it is not a defect due to your own misuse, an accident, or natural wear and tear. Here are a few common examples of a material defect:

A problem with your engine that means that you can’t start your car.
A problem with the car’s brakes that means your vehicle is dangerous to drive.
A problem with your car’s air conditioning that makes it impossible to sell for a fair price.

The best way to know that your car has a material defect is to speak with a law firm about your case and your vehicle’s repair history.

Disqualifying Issues in Lemon Law Cases

While many makes and models of vehicles can be lemons, some automobiles are not covered under the lemon laws for various reasons. You may not be able to get a replacement or a refund for your lemon due to the following circumstances:

Your vehicle is not covered by an express warranty.
Your vehicle is not registered in the state of California.
Your vehicle was not properly maintained according to its warranty.
Your defect is not covered under your warranty.
Your material defect is related to an aftermarket auto part.
Your defect was caused by misuse, abuse, or an accident.
Your defect was caused by normal or natural wear.
Your vehicle is owned by a business that also owns more than 5 vehicles.
Your vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds.
It has been more than four years since you were aware of your car’s material defect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does a car qualify as a 'lemon'?

Your vehicle qualifies as a lemon if the manufacturer (or its representative) cannot repair the vehicle after a “reasonable” number of attempts. Remember, however, that:

The vehicle must be under the manufacturer’s warranty when the repairs are attempted.
The vehicle must have been bought in-state.
The defect for which the repair attempt was made must substantially affect the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.
A vehicle will not qualify as a lemon if its defect was caused by abuse.

What, exactly, is a 'reasonable' number of repair attempts?

There is no exact, failsafe answer to this question. Generally, however, four unsuccessful attempts to fix the identical problem within 18 months or 18,000 miles will probably qualify your vehicle as a lemon. Your vehicle may also qualify as a lemon if it spends more that 30 days in the shop within these limitations.

What does a lemon law refund consist of?

If your car qualifies as a lemon and you opt for a refund rather than a replacement vehicle, you will be entitled to reimbursement of:

your down payment,
your already-paid monthly payments,
yny fees you paid for the vehicle (such as the license plate fee), and
rental car expenses.

Furthermore, the remainder of your loan will be cancelled.

Is there a statute of limitations deadline?

Yes. The California statute of limitations is four years. In practice, this means that you have until four years after you discovered or should have discovered that you had a claim to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file a lawsuit by the deadline, you won’t even be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.

Are there any loopholes in the lemon law?

Yes. The following vehicles are not covered by the lemon law:

Mobile homes
Off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes, for example)
Certain commercial vehicles owned by companies that also own at least five other state-registered vehicles
Vehicles purchased outside of California (such a vehicle might be protected under the law of the state where it was purchased)

What is the 'mileage offset'?

The mileage offset is used to discount your refund by an amount proportionate to the miles you have put onto the vehicle since you first owned it. It equals (mileage/120,000) X (purchase price of the vehicle). This amount will be deducted from any refund.

Do I still have a claim if the manufacturer's warranty has already expired?

That depends on when the repair attempts occurred. The subsequent expiry of the manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t matter as long as it was still valid at the time the repair attempts occurred. Remember that you must beat the statute of limitations deadline in any case, and it is almost always best to begin pursuing your claim as soon as possible after you become aware of its existence.

Does the lemon law apply to used cars?

Yes, the lemon law covers used cars, as long as the vehicle was still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty at the time the repair attempts occurred. You might also have a claim against the manufacturer if your vehicle was denoted “Certified Pre-Owned” and the manufacturer extended the vehicle’s original warranty.

Are punitive damages possible?

Technically, punitive damages (known as “enhanced damages”) are possible, and they will double your recovery if you receive them. Very few consumers receive enhanced damages, however. To qualify, you must prove that the manufacturer’s misconduct as “willful.” This is quite difficult to prove even if it is true.

A Track Record of Success

Our firm has been repeatedly recognized by both clients and professional peers alike. Some of our most prominent achievements include:

99 percent of our cases are settled without a trial.
We have been awarded a “Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the world’s most prestigious lawyer ranking service.
Mr. Law has testified before the California State Legislature on consumer protection issues.
We have has been involved in several groundbreaking consumer protection cases, including Foreman v. National R.V., Inc. and Robertson v. Fleetwood Travel Trailers of California.

You Only Pay If You Win

When you win almost all of your cases, certain things are possible that are simply not economically feasible for less successful lawyers. What our stellar winning percentage makes possible for us is our “no win, no pay” fee structure. Under this system you will be charged no upfront fees, and if you don’t win your case, your total legal bill will be zero.

Vehicle on the Lemon Cars List? Request A Free, Private Case Review With an Attorney

Have you purchased one of these vehicles that you feel is a lemon? If so, get a FREE lemon law Case Review today with an experienced, knowledgeable attorney. Contact us.

What Our Clients Say

Rating:

"Doug and Kristen were invaluable in getting GM to repurchase my Corvette due to the driveline defects in the car that Chevrolet could not fix after 9 visits. GM and the Chevy dealerships in La Mesa and Mission Valley were not helpful, giving me absurd excuses, runarounds and one time ultimately refusing to write the defects up after demonstrating them to one of their technicians. In short, I highly recommend them to handle any lemon law case you may have."

- Anonymous

GET FREE HELP WITH YOUR LEMON CASE

Call us Toll Free at 1-877-348-1152 or use our contact form