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February 20, 2023

Tips For Recognizing When Your Car is a Lemon

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) notes that vehicle problems that are not effectively addressed can lead to death or serious bodily injury when they are driven. This concern is what provides the basis for the CA Lemon Law and underlines the importance of ensuring that your vehicle is safe for you and your family. Following are some important tips on how to determine if your car is a lemon, and if you have been unable to find a solution to your lemon car problems, a CA lemon law lawyer from Strategic Legal Practices can help. 

The CA Lemon Law Applies to Only Certain Vehicles 

Before you can seek to apply the CA Lemon Law to your situation, you’ll have to determine if it applies to your motor vehcile. 

The Lemon Law applies to the following new and CPO Vehicles that are purchased with the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty:

  • Cars, vans, SUVs, and pick-up trucks 
  • A motor home’s chassis, chassis cab, and drive train 
  • Many vehicles that are leased or purchased mainly for business purposes 
  • Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstration vehicles 
  • Vehicles that were purchased or leased for family, personal, or household purposes 

If your vehicle came with the new manufacturer’s vehicle warranty the manufacturer or dealer is allowed a “reasonable” amount of attempts to repair any subsequent issues. After your vehicle cannot be repaired within this “reasonable” amount of time, you are entitled to either a replacement for the vehicle or a refund of its purchase price. The choice is yours, and it is important to know this and not allow the dealer or manufacturer to pressure you into accepting something that you do not want.. 

CA Lemon Law Defines How “Reasonable” Applies to Your Lemon

There is no set number of repair attempts that meet the definition of “reasonable,” and how it is interpreted depends upon the circumstances of your situation. Under the California Lemon Law Presumption, your vehicle is presumed to be a lemon under the following circumstances:

  • The same problem is not fixed after four or more attempts 
  • The problems in the vehicle could cause serious bodily injury or death, and were not repaired within two attempts 
  • The vehicle was in the shop for more than 30 days total (the days do not need to be in succession) 

When reasonable attempts to repair your vehicle have failed, the CA Lemon Law is activated and you may exercise your rights. 

Determine Your Rights Under the Lemon Law with Strategic Legal Practices 

When you have purchased a lemon and have been unable to have the problem solved, the vehicle replaced, or receive a receive a refund, under the terms of the CA Lemon Law, you may have a case to collect compensation. To explore options on your case, give us a call at 888-757-5366, or visit our site to schedule a consultation