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How to Identify if Your Vehicle is a Lemon in California

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Buying a new or used vehicle is a significant investment, and discovering that your car has persistent issues can be frustrating. At Rios Bollinger Law, we want to help you understand your options so that you can protect yourself. In California, the lemon law provides protection to consumers who have purchased vehicles with defects that impair their use, value, or safety. However, not every defective vehicle qualifies as a "lemon" under the law. Here's a guide to help you identify if your vehicle might be covered.


1. Understand What Qualifies as a Lemon


In California, a vehicle is considered a lemon if it meets certain criteria:

- Substantial Defects: The vehicle must have one or more defects that substantially impair its use, value, or safety.

- Repair Attempts: The manufacturer or dealer has made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect(s).

- Warranty Coverage: The defect must occur within a specific period, usually during the warranty period provided by the manufacturer.


2. Common Symptoms of a Lemon


To determine if your vehicle is a lemon, look for these common symptoms:

- Frequent or Long Breakdowns: If your car frequently breaks down, especially for the same issue, or is difficult for the dealer to repair it may be a lemon.

- Safety Concerns: Any defects that compromise the safety of the vehicle, such as braking problems or faulty airbags, are serious indicators.

- Loss of Use: Issues that make the vehicle unreliable or unusable for its intended purpose.


3. Document Everything


Keep meticulous records of all issues and repair attempts, including:

- Repair Orders: Save copies of all repair orders and invoices, noting the dates and details of each visit to the dealer or service center.

- Communication: Document all communication with the manufacturer or dealer, including emails, letters, and phone calls.

- Symptoms and Impact: Record the symptoms you're experiencing, how they affect your use of the vehicle, and any associated costs, such as towing or rental car expenses.


4. Consult the Lemon Law Criteria


California's lemon law has specific criteria to determine if your vehicle qualifies:

- Repair Attempts: Generally, the law considers a reasonable number of repair attempts to be:

- Two or more for serious safety defects.

- Four or more for other types of defects.

- If the vehicle is out of service for more than 30 days due to repairs, it may also qualify.


5. Seek Legal Advice


If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, consider consulting a lemon law attorney, like Rios Bollinger Law. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with the manufacturer, and ensure you receive the compensation you're entitled to, whether it's a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.


Conclusion


Identifying a lemon can be a daunting process, but understanding the symptoms and legal criteria can empower you to take action. Remember to document all issues and repair attempts carefully and seek professional advice if needed. California's lemon law, and Rios Bollinger Law, are here to protect consumers like you, ensuring that you're not left stranded with a defective vehicle.


Legal Disclaimer

This website is for meant for informational and marketing purposes only. Viewing and/or use of the website, including sending email or submission of forms, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Any endorsement, testimonial or other statement contained in or referred to on this website is not a guarantee, a warranty or a prediction of a particular result in your case.


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This website is meant for informational and marketing purposes only. Nothing on this website should be considered legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the website, including sending email or submission of forms, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Any endorsement, testimonial or other statement contained in or referred to on this website is not a guarantee, a warranty or a prediction of a particular result in your case. We collect only the information necessary to provide and improve our services. This may include name, email address, etc. We do not sell, rent, or share this information with any third parties for their own marketing purposes.

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