Simi Valley Lemon Law Attorneys

Dedicated Ventura County Consumer Rights Attorneys Connecting Owners of Defective Vehicles Recover Compensation from Manufacturers

Despite its proximity to Los Angeles, public transit in Simi Valley is quite limited, and owning a vehicle is essentially a requirement. In fact, most residents find that they’ve become dependent on their vehicles to get to work, to take their children to school, and to get around town. But what happens when one of your biggest investments—your car—ends up experiencing repeated mechanical issues? Sure, the first trip to the mechanic may be an anomaly, but as you bring your vehicle back time after time, it’s an indication that you may have a lemon on your hands. 

The good news is that you may be able to bring a Simi Valley Lemon Law claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer. If you’re successful, the manufacturer will be required to either buy back your vehicle or provide you with a new one—at no cost to you. 

At Wirtz Law APC, our dedicated Simi Valley Lemon Law attorneys have extensive experience bringing claims under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which is the official name of the California Lemon Law. We’ve developed a tried-and-true method for handling these cases, resulting in a success rate of better than 98 percent. Through our efforts, we’ve connected our clients with more than $75 Million in damages. 

California Lemon Law Statistics

In California, there are more than 36 million registered vehicles—more than in any other state. Most of these vehicles—26 million—are passenger vehicles that are primarily used for non-commercial purposes, like cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. In Ventura County, there are more than 828,000 registered vehicles, two-thirds of which are cars, trucks and SUVs.

According to a study conducted by the Frontier Group, between 2018 and 2021, there were 7.6 million new vehicles registered in California. During that same period, more than 34,000 Californians filed Lemon Law claims. This means between 2018 and 2021, about .5 percent of all newly registered vehicles were determined to be lemons. However, it is important to note that these figures do not include those Lemon Law cases that were settled out of court, which is quite common. That being the case, the true percentage of Lemons when looking at all new vehicles is likely significantly higher than the .05 percent figure. 

The California Lemon Law: The Basics

California’s Lemon Law, which is also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, provides legal recourse for consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective. The law also applies to vehicles that were purchased used (CPOs) and were, at the time of purchase, still under the manufacturer’s original factory warranty. 

Below are some highlights about the California’s Lemon Law, which are expanded upon below:

Eligibility: The law covers new vehicles purchased or leased in California that come with the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty. This includes cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and the chassis, chassis cab, and drivetrain of a motorhome. The CA Lemon law also covers used vehicles (CPOs) that were still under the original manufacturer’s warranty. 

Defects Covered: The defect must be substantial, meaning it impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. This could include issues like faulty brakes, engine problems, or electrical issues. 

Reasonable Repair Attempts: The manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of attempts to fix the defect. In California, this is generally interpreted as at least two attempts. Alternatively, if the vehicle is in the shop for repairs for more than 30 days for any number of issues, this may also qualify. Note that the 30 days do not need to be in a row. 

Compensation: If the vehicle qualifies under the Lemon Law, the consumer is entitled to compensation. This could include an equivalent replacement vehicle or a refund of the purchase price minus a deduction for the consumer’s use of the vehicle. Successful Lemon Law plaintiffs can also recover compensation for their consequential and incidental damages and civil penalties up to two times the amount of actual damages.

Consumers interested in pursuing a Simi Valley Lemon Law claim typically work with attorneys specializing in Lemon Law claims. While hiring a lawyer may seem like a risky endeavor, given the fact that no lawsuit is a certainty, the California Lemon Law allows successful plaintiffs to recover their attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses. As a result, most experienced Simi Valley Lemon Law attorneys take these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront, and if you’re successful, the lawyer’s fees, costs, and expenses, are covered by the vehicle manufacturer. Under a contingency fee arrangement, if your claim does not result in a recovery, you are not responsible for paying your attorney’s fees.

Which Vehicle Manufacturers Face the Most Lemon Law Claims?

The vehicle manufacturers with the most lemon law claims filed against them vary. For example, some manufacturers have a “bad model year,” while others have certain models that experience repeated problems. However, some key names stand out based on recent data and reports, including the following:

General Motors (GM) – GM is notably one of the most commonly sued vehicle manufacturers under California’s Lemon Law. In 2020 alone, GM had a total of 4,270 lemon law claims. GM’s prominence in the automotive industry makes its significant number of lemon law claims noteworthy​​​​.

Stellantis Group (Jeep, Dodge, Fiat) – These three brands, which are produced under the Stellantis Group (formerly Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles), are frequently associated with Lemon Law claims. Jeep, for instance, is reported to produce about one lemon for every 100,000 vehicles.

Other manufacturers with a significant number of reported Lemon include Chrysler, Nissan, Land Rover, Mercedes, Cadillac, Porsche, Tesla, and Volkswagen. Additionally, Ford and Kia also face a relatively high number of Lemon Law claims. The rise in consumer complaints about these vehicles suggests an increasing trend in lemon law issues associated with these brands​​​​.

Do You Need a Simi Valley Lemon Law Attorney to File a Claim?

Technically, there is no legal requirement that you retain an attorney to file a Lemon Law claim. However, these cases are complex, and manufacturers almost always contest vehicle owner’s claims. Thus, working with an experienced Lemon Law attorney is crucial. Below are a few of the things that our Simi Valley Lemon Law lawyers can bring to the table: 

Complex Legal Knowledge: Lemon Law cases operate in a specialized area of law with intricate regulations that can vary significantly depending on the nature of your claim. An experienced Simi Valley Lemon Law attorney has the necessary legal knowledge and understanding of these laws ensuring that your claim is handled correctly and efficiently.

Navigating Bureaucracy: Dealing with manufacturers and their legal teams can be daunting. An expert attorney is adept at navigating this bureaucracy and can effectively communicate and negotiate with these entities on your behalf.

Maximizing Compensation: Experienced Simi Valley Lemon Law attorneys like those at Wirtz Law APC, are skilled in evaluating the full extent of a claim, including potential compensation for the defective vehicle, legal costs, and any additional damages. We work to ensure you receive fair and full compensation, which might be challenging to achieve independently.

Efficiency: Lemon Law cases can be time-consuming and require extensive documentation and evidence gathering. A seasoned attorney can efficiently manage these aspects, saving you time and resources.

Avoiding Lemon Law Mistakes: There are many pitfalls in the legal process that can jeopardize your Lemon Law claim, such as missing critical deadlines or failing to meet specific legal requirements. An experienced attorney can help avoid these pitfalls, ensuring the process proceeds smoothly.

Contingency Fee: At Wirtz Law APC, our Lemon Law attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win your case.

Reduced Stress: Dealing with a defective vehicle and a legal claim can be stressful. Having an expert attorney handle the legal aspects of your case can significantly reduce this stress, allowing you to focus on your daily life.

Representation in Court: If your case goes to court, an experienced attorney is essential for effective representation. At Wirtz Law, our Ventura County Lemon Law lawyers have the skills and experience to argue the case effectively in front of a judge or jury.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do Vehicle Manufacturers Honor Lemon Law Claims?

When a manufacturer fails to comply with the California Lemon Law’s stipulated remedies, consumers are entitled to pursue legal recourse. Often, individuals in such situations turn to lawyers experienced in Lemon Law matters for advice and representation, like the team at Wirtz Law APC. Typically, when the consumer wins a Simi Valley Lemon Law claim, the manufacturer is required to cover the vehicle owner’s legal costs.

How Long Does My Vehicle’s Warranty Last?

New vehicles are typically covered by a powertrain warranty, which generally lasts for 50,000 to 100,000 miles or spans five to ten years, depending on which limit is reached first. In contrast, bumper-to-bumper warranties, which cover a broader range of issues, tend to have a shorter duration. These warranties usually extend for 36,000 to 60,000 miles or three to five years, again based on whichever threshold is reached first.

Legally, there’s no requirement for car manufacturers to provide a new car warranty. However, in the fiercely competitive automotive market, all major car makers choose to offer one. The extent of these warranties varies across manufacturers, and a more comprehensive warranty does not necessarily indicate a better-quality vehicle. Still, for those owning or leasing vehicles with extended warranties, the Lemon Law claim window is proportionately longer.

If You’ve Been Through Enough with Your Vehicle, Consider a Lemon Law Claim

If you recently bought a new vehicle—or a used car, truck, or SUV that was still under the manufacturer’s original warranty—and you feel that it’s a Lemon, reach out to the dedicated Simi Valley Lemon Law lawyers at Wirtz Law APC. At Wirtz Law APC, our experienced attorneys have a decades-long history of helping vehicle owners obtain the vehicle that they intended to purchase—one that’s free of defects. We have a better-than-98 percent success rate among the Lemon Law cases we’ve handled and have recovered more than $75 Million on behalf of our clients. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Ventura County Lemon Law attorney at Wirtz Law APC, call 858-259-5009 today. You can also contact us through our secure online contact form.