Los Angeles New Car Lemons
Negotiating and Litigating New Vehicle Lemon Law Cases
When you purchase a new car, you expect it to run smoothly and be free from major issues. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes, consumers end up with a car with persistent problems that cannot be fixed despite multiple repair attempts. This is where Lemon Laws come into play. In California, the Lemon Law protects consumers who have purchased or leased a new vehicle with substantial defects or malfunctions that the manufacturer cannot repair. The law requires manufacturers to replace or repurchase a vehicle that meets the definition of a "lemon" under certain circumstances. Understanding the Lemon Law is essential for California consumers as it provides recourse for those who have spent their living expenses on a new car that fails to meet the manufacturer’s and your own expectations.
If you live in Los Angeles and have a new car that you suspect may be a lemon, O’Connor Law Group, P.C.. can help. Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in California's Lemon Laws and are committed to helping our clients through every stage of seeking remedy under the law. We understand that having a defective vehicle is frustrating and potentially unsafe. That's why we work tirelessly to protect our clients' rights and hold manufacturers accountable for selling faulty cars. We are prepared to negotiate to seek a favorable outcome for our clients and will go to trial if necessary to work toward recovering compensation.
To discuss your Los Angeles new car lemon case with one of our lawyers, please contact us at (949) 390-9695.
California Lemon Law Basics
Under California Lemon Law, a vehicle is considered a "lemon" if it has a substantial defect covered by a warranty and impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety.
A "substantial defect" is sometimes referred to as a “nonconformity” which means that the vehicle does not perform as described in its new vehicle warranty, or does not meet the requirements of its implied warranties. For example, if your new car has an engine that does not run properly or brakes that fail when applied, these could be considered substantial defects. In order to qualify for compensation under California’s Lemon Law, your vehicle must have significant defects that have not been fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
If your new car meets the definition of a lemon under California law, you may be entitled to one of the following remedies:
- A replacement vehicle: The manufacturer must replace your defective vehicle with a comparable new one.
- A repurchase: The manufacturer must buy back your defective vehicle.
You must visit the dealership for repairs more than one time before pursing legal action.
Common Types of Defects That Qualify as a Lemon
Our FAQ
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What Am I Entitled to if My Vehicle Qualifies Under the California Lemon Law?
If your vehicle qualifies under the California Lemon Law, you may be entitled to a refund of your down payment and monthly finance payments, as well as a discharge of your vehicle loan. You may also be entitled to reimbursement of incidental damages such as rental car expenses, repair costs, and towing expenses.
If offered by the manufacturer, you may choose to have your vehicle replaced with a similar vehicle instead of having your money refunded.
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Can I Have a Claim Under the California Lemon Law if My Repair Visits Did Not Occur Within the Vehicle’s First 18 Months and 18,Generally, your issue must have occurred within 18 months or within 18,000 miles (whichever came first). However, major defects that occur outside of this time frame may still present a viable claim. The court may assess situations on a case-by-case basis.
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How Many Times Do I Need to Take My Car Back to the Dealer Before I Have a California Lemon Law Claim?
The California Lemon Law states that dealerships must be given a reasonable number of opportunities to repair a vehicle. The law is fairly broad, leaving room for a variety of different circumstances. Since the law does not require any specific number of repair visits, each matter should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, four visits for the same problem will qualify, but, depending on the defect, fewer visits may suffice. For example, a defect as severe as brake system failure may only require two visits. Moreover, if a vehicle spends a cumulative total of over 30 days in the shop for warranty repairs, it may satisfy the requirement no matter how many separate visits were made.
At O’Connor Law Group, we know how complex and confusing lemon law cases can be. That's why our team dedicates its time and resources to helping clients fight for their rights under California's Lemon Law so they can get the compensation they deserve. We handle all aspects of the process, including court filings, negotiating with manufacturers, and representing our clients in court.
With decades of experience protecting California consumers from unscrupulous and predatory corporations, we know what needs to be done to help ensure our clients get the results they deserve. Our lemon law lawyers are committed to providing personalized attention and creating customized legal strategies for every case we take.
Don't let a defective vehicle ruin your day; schedule an appointment with O'Connor Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you get justice.
If you think your vehicle may be a "lemon," don't wait any longer!
