Lemon Law

In California, the Lemon Law is a consumer protection law that provides legal remedies to individuals who have purchased or leased defective vehicles, commonly referred to as "lemons." The California Lemon Law applies to new and used vehicles that are covered by a manufacturers warranty and meet specific criteria.

​

Under the California Lemon Law, if a vehicle has a defect or condition that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and the manufacturer or authorized dealer has been unable to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to relief. The specific requirements include:

​

1. The vehicle must have been purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use.

2. The vehicle must have been covered by a manufacturers written warranty at the time of purchase or lease.

3. The defects must have occurred within the warranty period or a specified number of miles driven, typically within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles.

4. The consumer must have given the manufacturer or authorized dealer a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the problem.

​

If the vehicle meets these criteria, the consumer may be eligible for one or more remedies, such as a replacement vehicle or a refund of the purchase or lease price, including taxes, registration fees, and other related costs. The amount of the refund or replacement value may be reduced by a mileage offset for the use of the vehicle. To pursue a claim under the California Lemon Law, it is advisable to consult with a consumer protection attorney who specializes in lemon law cases. They can guide you through the process, help assess your eligibility, gather the necessary documentation, and represent your interests to seek appropriate compensation or resolution.

Under the California Lemon Law, the amount you can recover depends on various factors, including the nature of the defect, the number of repair attempts, the value of the vehicle, and other related costs. Here are the potential remedies available under the California Lemon Law:

​

1. Replacement Vehicle: If the manufacturer or authorized dealer is unable to repair the vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts or a specified timeframe, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle of comparable value. The manufacturer is responsible for providing a vehicle that is substantially identical or has substantially similar features to the lemon vehicle.

2. Refund: If a replacement vehicle is not a viable option or you prefer a refund, you may be entitled to a refund of the purchase or lease price. The refund typically includes the vehicles full purchase price or lease payments, including taxes, registration fees, finance charges, and other related expenses.

3. Incidental and Consequential Damages: In addition to the refund or replacement vehicle, you may be eligible to recover incidental and consequential damages. These damages may include expenses incurred as a result of the defective vehicle, such as towing fees, rental car costs, and repair expenses for issues caused by the defect.

​

Its important to note that the amount you can recover may be reduced by a mileage offset, which accounts for the use youve already had from the vehicle. The mileage offset is calculated based on the total miles driven before the first repair attempt related to the defect.

 

To accurately determine the potential amount, you can recover under the California Lemon Law, it is advisable to consult with a consumer protection attorney who specializes in lemon law cases. They can evaluate your specific circumstances, assess the value of your claim, and guide you through the legal process to pursue the maximum compensation available to you.