If you purchased a car in the State of California that has substantial defects or mechanical problems, you may qualify to exercise your rights under California’s Lemon Law.  Under the Lemon Law you may be able to receive either a refund or a substantially identical replacement vehicle. However, it is critical to understand what qualifies as a lemon car in California in order to determine if you can exercise these legal rights.

Qualifications for Lemon Cars

“Lemon cars” must meet certain guidelines under the California Lemon Law, formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.  Your car may be considered a lemon under Song-Beverly if it meets the following criteria:

1. The car was purchased in the State of California.
2. The vehicle was purchased from a dealership. (You might not be able to bring a Song-Beverly case if you bought the car from a private party).
3. The vehicle has a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle to you.
4. The defect arose while the vehicle was covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
5. The manufacturer has been unable to repair the defects after a reasonable number of attempts or after a reasonable period of times.  There is no exact number of times or days required for reasonableness, but the Tanner Presumption does provide some guidance.

Even if your vehicle does not fit all of the above, it still might be a lemon car. You may be able to bring a lemon law case under either the Commercial Code or the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Common Vehicle Problems Related to Lemon Laws

Any substantial manufacturing defect can result in a consumer exercising their legal rights under California Lemon Law.  But, in many cases, lemon cars in California often have similar defects. Some of the common problems that may fall under the lemon law rights can include defective brakes, electrical problems, air conditioning issues, transmission failures, engine problems, defective suspensions or paint issues.

Contact an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney Today

If you believe that your car qualifies as a lemon car in the State of California under California’s Lemon Laws or the Federal Lemon Law, and you are struggling to receive compensation or a replacement vehicle from the manufacturer, you may have the right to pursue litigation. Contact the experienced lemon law attorneys at Conn Law, PC at 415-417-2780 or online today for a free consultation. We can help ensure that your legal rights regarding your vehicle purchase are protected in California.