Our Palmdale Lemon Lawyer Explains Common Defects
When you purchase a new or used vehicle, you expect a certain level of safety and reliability. If the vehicle you recently purchased repeatedly breaks down in the first several years, then you may begin to wonder if you bought a lemon.
“Lemon” is a term used to describe a certain type of defective product. California laws protect consumers from defective products. Lemon laws outline the procedures for filing a lemon law claim, which can force a manufacturer to buy back a defective product.
Many lemon law claims involve defective vehicles. If you recently purchased a defective vehicle and believe it qualifies as a lemon, then our blog may be able to help you better understand your situation. While any type of defect may qualify as a lemon, there are some common defects all California car owners should know about.
Understanding California’s Lemon Law
California’s lemon law is also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This law requires auto manufacturers to buy back defective vehicles if car owners are not able to repair the defect. This defect must also substantially affect the vehicle’s use, safety, or value.
The law covers new, used, and leased vehicles that are still under the original manufacturer’s warranty. It covers vehicles sold or leased in the state of California that are less than 18 months from purchase or at less than 18,000 miles.
California’s lemon law requires automakers to buy back defective vehicles after owners have made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect. The law is not specific as to what constitutes a reasonable number of attempts. However, a California lemon lawyer can help determine if your vehicle has met the criteria for filing a lemon law claim.
Common Defects in California Lemon Law Cases
Many types of auto defects may qualify for coverage under California’s lemon law. However, the defect must substantially impact or impair the value, safety, or use of the vehicle. Consumers in California have successfully filed lemon law claims for a variety of defects, including:
- Check engine light warnings
- Steering problems
- Brake defects
- Malfunctioning mirrors and windshield wipers
- Malfunctioning speedometers or fuel gauges
- Headlight or brake light malfunctions
- Defective door locks
- Stalling
- Failing to start
- Acceleration issues
- Broken air conditioning systems or heaters
- Malfunctioning batteries
- Transmission issues
- Paint that bubbles or strips off
When filing a lemon law claim, your attorney must demonstrate the severity of the defect. Your lemon law attorney must investigate the defect and uncover evidence that can help your claim succeed. To accomplish this, your lawyer may need copies of repair receipts. For this reason, it is important to keep meticulous records when receiving repairs, even when the vehicle is under warranty.
Contact Our Palmdale Lemon Lawyer for More Information
If you have a defective vehicle, then you may wonder if you purchased a lemon. Not all defective vehicles qualify as a lemon. However, you may be able to file a lemon law claim to recover compensation under the right circumstances.
Our Palmdale lemon lawyer can help you determine if it would be possible to file a claim. To learn more about lemon law buybacks in California, call (661) 206-2629 or fill out our confidential contact form. If you live in Antelope Valley, Lancaster, or Palmdale, call us for a free consultation.