Award-Winning Chula Vista Lemon Law Attorneys
The Lemon Law Experts have years of experience helping consumers across Chula Vista with their automotive lemon law claims obtain the compensation and justice that they are due for their defective vehicles.
Our team has helped thousands of consumers with lemon law claims against top auto manufacturers such as Audi, General Motors, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, and more. No matter the manufacturer, we have the expertise, the skill, and the experience to fight for you and strive to get the best possible outcome with your case.
At the Lemon Law Experts, there is no retainer or upfront fees to work with our firm. Our attorneys are not compensated unless we win your case. The California Lemon Law requires the auto manufacturer to pay for your legal fees when you have a successful case.
With superb success rate, you can be sure that the Lemon Law Experts have the skills necessary to obtain the restitution and justice that you are legally entitled to under California’s Lemon Law. Contact us to see if you qualify for a lemon law refund, replacement car, or CASH compensation today.
What types of vehicles are covered by the California Lemon Law?
The California Lemon Law applies to vehicles sold or leased with warranties that are repeatedly repaired for the same or similar defect that affects its safety, use or value. The California Lemon Law rules covers several different types of vehicles including:
- Automobiles
- Pickup Trucks
- Vans
- SUVs
- Motorhomes
- Motorcycles
- ATVs
- and more
Also, tThe chassis, chassis cab, and drivetrain of a motor home may be covered by the California Lemon Law. Leased, Certified Pre-Owned, and financed vehicles are also included. These laws protect both used and new vehicles, as long as they are sold and repaired under the manufacturer warranties.
What is a Lemon Car?
In order to qualify as a lemon, your vehicle must meet several requirements:
- The vehicle must be purchased or leased with an express and active warranty.
- Your vehicle must be leased or purchased from an authorized seller. State lemon laws cover “consumer goods,” which excludes vehicles purchased from private parties.
- Your vehicle’s manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle.
- The issues with your vehicle must be considered “material” meaning that it affects your vehicle’s use, safety, or value.
The defects with your vehicle cannot be the result of failure to maintain your vehicle or regular wear and tear. Manufacturing defects typically affect important systems of the vehicle, such as the air conditioning, automatic braking, electrical, engine, or transmission systems.
If you are experiencing serious and or frequent issues with your vehicle you have leased or purchased, you should speak with a reputable lemon law attorney who can review your case to see if you qualify for a lemon law repurchase or replacement.
California car lemon law mandates that manufacturers of consumer goods, such as vehicles:
- Provide sufficient repair facilities in California so that consumers can easily obtain the repair services they need
- Ensure that repairs to defective consumer goods do not take more than 30 calendar days
- Are limited to set number of repair attempts to correct the defective good
- Offer consumers a replacement item or refund, minus the value of any trouble-free use
- Pay for the consumer’s legal fees
Essentially, if a manufacturer is unable to repair a defective vehicle within a reasonable number of repair attempts, then it is legally required to replace or repurchase the vehicle, reimburse the consumer for all monies spent on the vehicle inclusive of any incidental and consequential damages associated with the lemon, pay off any remaining loan balance on the vehicle, and cover the consumer’s attorney fees and costs.
What is a “reasonable number of repair attempts” as defined by the California Lemon Law?
CA lemon law does not explicitly define what amounts to a reasonable number of repair attempts. This largely depends on the severity and frequency of the manufacturing defect.
Generally, the number of “reasonable repair attempts” for a safety defect that can cause injury or death is two or less. For any combination of non-substantial safety defects, the typical number is four repair attempts. Please note that the first repair attempt should occur during the warranty period if you wish to qualify for a lemon law replacement or refund.
What can I get in compensation for a lemon?
If you are the prevailing party and your vehicle is deemed to be a “lemon,” the manufacturer is responsible to refund your money or replace the defective vehicle. Often times, cases may also settle for a ‘cash and keep’ where the consumer retains possession of the vehicle and gets cash compensation for the diminished value of the lemon as a result of the manufacturing defects.
This form of legal remedy in lemon law cases is known as a “cash and keep” settlement in which you get to keep your vehicle, however, you will receive compensation for all the trouble you have experienced with it. The manufacturer does not repurchase the vehicle.
Some lemon law cases qualify for a replacement vehicle. This is where the ‘lemon’ vehicle is exchanged for one that is substantially similar. The remaining finance terms remain the same. However, the consumer will be responsible for any different in price and the usage fee (value for when the consumer drove the vehicle without any problems).
The most common scenario for a lemon law claim is the lemon law refund, also known as a buyback, or repurchase. If you receive a lemon law refund, you will be refunded all the money you have spent on the lemon car, including the down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and any incidental expenses related to the lemon such as towing or rental car fees. The manufacturer will pay off any remaining balance on the lien and pay the consumer’s reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Work with the Lemon Law Experts in Chula Vista
If you live in Chula Vista and have taken your car in for multiple repairs for the same or similar problem during the warranty, there is a good chance that your car may be a lemon and you may be entitled to compensation.
It is estimated that there are 150,000 ‘lemon’ vehicles in the State of California every year. No matter the manufacturer or how much you have spent to purchase or lease your vehicle, there always exists a change that it is a lemon. Luckily, there are solutions if you ever find yourself leasing or owning a lemon in California.
You may qualify for different legal remedies under both state and federal laws. You will likely need the assistance of a highly skilled lemon law attorney to find the best solution available for your situation.
Lemon laws are complex to figure out on your own. Additionally, auto manufacturers use some of the best legal professionals in the field who are well-versed and skilled at the practice of the California Lemon Law, which can be daunting to go up against without proper representation. You may not receive the compensation and justice that you are dutifully entitled to unless you have skilled and experienced representation on your side.
When filing a claim against a large auto manufacturer, you will want to enlist the help of the best lemon law legal team available. The Lemon Law Experts serve at your side at every step of the legal process. Our attorneys work diligently to maximize what you could receive in compensation for your lemon.
Through a free, no-obligation consultation, our team can review the unique facts of your case and determine if you qualify for lemon law relief. Call us at 877-885-5366 or fill out an online case evaluation form on our website. Whether you have questions about your vehicle’s warranty or are ready to file a claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer, our team is more than happy to assist you. Give us a call or fill out an online case form today.
