Jaguar’s history of producing automobiles can be traced back to 1922 under its former name, SS Cars. The luxury car manufacturer has strived for elegance, span, and speed when designing and executing its posh vehicles. However, not every Jaguar lives up to the standards the company is known for embodying. If you’ve purchased a Jaguar and it has unfortunately turned out to be a lemon, you may wonder what options you have. Fortunately, California has some of the most robust lemon laws in the country, which can help you get the compensation or replacement vehicle you deserve.
What is the California Lemon Law, and how can it work for you?
Under California’s lemon law, a “lemon” is a new vehicle that has a defect or condition that significantly impairs either use, worth, or the safety of driver and passengers and that cannot be addressed and corrected after a “reasonable number of attempts.” If your Jaguar falls into this category, meaning the dealer or a manufacturer is unable to repair the vehicle given a reasonable period, you may be entitled to a refund or a replacement vehicle. You’ll need to notify Jaguar of the problem in writing to take advantage of the lemon law.
Note: Use certified mail with a request for a return receipt. You can find the manufacturer’s address in your owner’s manual for the vehicle in question.
If the manufacturer states they can’t provide a buyback or replacement or refuse to do so, you may hire an attorney to help you with the process. You can use the arbitrator program that the manufacturer may provide, but there is a risk of bias. If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to refund your purchase price, plus taxes and fees, or a replacement vehicle of the exact make and model. You may also be entitled to reimbursement for legal fees, towing, and rental car expenses incurred as a result of the lemon. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced California lemon law attorney if you suspect that you may have a lemon. They can evaluate your case and advise you of your best course of action.
Which Jaguars qualify as lemons?
Traveling around in a lemon automobile can be extremely dangerous and unreliable. However, it is likely your lemon spends more time at the dealer for repair or sitting in your driveway than on the road. A defect often negatively affects a vehicle’s performance. To top it off, the value of the car depreciates. Some vehicles that may be affected include but are not limited to the Jaguar XE, XF, XJ, X or F-type, F- or I-Pace, and other recently introduced Jaguar models.
Common Issues with Jaguar Lemons
Some typical Jaguar lemons problems include engine, transmission, and electrical issues. Engine issues can consist of the engine stalling or shutting off unexpectedly, the engine making strange noises, or the engine not starting at all. Transmission problems can include the transmission slipping or not shifting properly, the transmission making grinding or whining noises, or the transmission leaking fluid. Electrical issues may translate as the car’s electrical system shutting down or the car’s lights flickering or going out unexpectedly. A failing lock system or a malfunctioning clutch may be signs of a lemon.
As few as two repair attempts for an issue affecting the vehicle’s performance or making it hazardous to drive may warrant a lemon law claim.
How can an attorney help with your Jaguar lemon?
“Grace, Space, and Pace” was the motto penned by company founder Sir William Lyons back during the 1950s. Owners of a Jaguar lemon likely are not feeling their particular vehicle is living up to the distinguished brand. If you have realized that your Jaguar is a lemon, a California Lemon Law attorney can assist you in receiving the refund or replacement vehicle to which you are entitled. An attorney can also help you obtain compensation for expenses you may have incurred while your car was not drivable and in for repairs, such as towing fees and rental car costs. On occasion, a manufacturer may voluntarily acknowledge a lemon. Still, in other cases, it may take more effort and expertise to assert your rights to either the purchase value of the vehicle or the replacement car, depending on your choosing.
A skilled California Lemon Law lawyer can answer any questions and review the details of your lemon law case and claim. Contact an experienced California Lemon Law attorney for a free consultation.