California’s Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles with persistent defects or malfunctions. Under the law, a “lemon” is a vehicle that has a defect or condition that substantially impairs its use, value or safety even after a reasonable number of attempts to repair it.
The question then arises, what is considered a reasonable number of attempts to repair a vehicle under California’s Lemon Law? Here is what you need to know.
What the law says
There is no predetermined number of repair attempts required to qualify a vehicle as a lemon. Several factors may come into play, such as the type and severity of the defect or malfunction. For instance, a defect that poses a significant safety risk may require fewer repair attempts than a minor issue like a malfunctioning entertainment system.
In general, California’s Lemon Law presumes that a manufacturer has had a reasonable number of attempts to repair a defect if any of the following occurs within 18 months or 18,000 miles of the vehicle’s original purchase or lease date, whichever occurs first:
- The manufacturer has made two or more attempts to repair a defect that could cause serious bodily injury or death if the vehicle is driven.
- The manufacturer has made four or more attempts to repair the same defect, which continues to exist.
- The vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days due to one or more defects.
It is important to note that these guidelines are not strict rules and can be subject to interpretation.
Are you experiencing issues with your newly purchased car?
You may have a valid lemon car case if your newly purchased vehicle spends more time in the garage than on the road. Taking the proper steps can end the frustration and help protect your interests.