When people talk about buying a lemon (defective vehicle), they usually mean cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. Most any vehicle can qualify as a lemon if it continues to break down or perform unreliably (or not at all).
The good news is you have options if a vehicle you purchased qualifies as a lemon in California. State lemon laws cover most defective vehicles — even motorhomes.
An example to consider
Say that you recently bought a new or used motorhome in California to travel the U.S. during the summer months. Although it came with a warranty, it has repeatedly broken down, and the manufacturer now refuses to honor the warranty terms. You had to cancel your summer plans, and now you are stuck with a useless recreational vehicle.
Does your situation meet the lemon law requirements?
If your motorhome has persistent problems that significantly affect its value, use or safety, it is likely a lemon. Other requirements include the following:
- You made at least two attempts to have dangerous defects or problems repaired.
- You made at least four attempts to have reoccurring issues repaired.
- The vehicle has been unusable or out of service for a total of 30 days. (They need not be consecutive days.)
Once you have decided that your motorhome is a lemon, your next steps should involve finding a solution. Under state law, manufacturers must replace the vehicle or reimburse consumers for its purchase price minus any wear and tear they may have contributed.
Lemon laws and other consumer laws are complicated. Becoming more familiar with them can help guide you towards a satisfactory solution for your losses.