California Lemon Cars Attorney

Dedicated California Lemon Cars Lawyer Ready To Assist You

Common Lemon Cars in California

Lemon cars tire blowout list in CaliforniaJust 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)

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.
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.
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.

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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.

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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

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