Tehama County Lemon Law Attorneys

Knowledgeable Consumer Rights Lawyers Serving Residents of Tehama, Corning, Red Bluff, El Camino, Mill Creek and the Surrounding Areas

Purchasing a new or lightly used vehicle should be an enjoyable experience, and for many people, it is. However, more often than you’d expect, vehicle owners find themselves dealing with a defective vehicle. While you can expect to take your car, truck, EV, Hybrid, or SUV to the mechanic every now and then, if your vehicle has frequently been in and out of the shop, you may have bought a Lemon. 

At Wirtz Law APC, we’ve assembled a dedicated team of Tehama County Lemon Law attorneys who are dedicated to pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of owners who purchased a defective vehicle. We have been successful in over 98 percent of the Lemon Law cases we’ve handled, recovering more than $70 Million on behalf of our clients. We also offer free, no-obligation consultations to all potential clients, so there is no risk in calling to learn more about your rights. 

Tehama County Vehicle and Lemon Law Statistics

There are over 35 million registered vehicles in California, more than in any other state. The majority of these—about 26 million—are passenger vehicles, which include cars, SUVs, EVs, hybrids, minivans, pickup trucks, and any other vehicle that isn’t being used for commercial purposes. Tehama County is one of the less populated counties in California, with about 65,000 residents. However, in Tehama County, there are more than 76,000 registered vehicles, meaning there are almost as many vehicles as there are people. Approximately half of the vehicles registered in Tehama County—or about 35,000—are passenger vehicles. 

According to a Frontier Group study, 7.6 million new vehicles were registered in California between 2018 and 2021. During that time, more than 34,000 Californians filed Lemon Law claims. This means between 2018 and 2021, about .5 percent of all newly registered vehicles turned out to be lemons. However, because this data relied on court filings, 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.

A Primer on the California Lemon Law

The California Lemon Law, officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, is designed to protect consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles as well as used vehicles that are still under a manufacturer’s original warranty. If a vehicle cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the CA Lemon Law requires a vehicle manufacturer to either replace a defective vehicle or refund the purchase price to the consumer. 

Below is an overview of some of the key aspects of the California Lemon Law.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for protection under the California Lemon Law, the vehicle must have been purchased or leased in California. It applies to new vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty, including cars, trucks, SUVs, EVs, hybrids, and even motorcycles. In certain circumstances, used vehicles that are sold with a transferable manufacturer’s warranty can also be covered. The law covers defects that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, known as “non-conformities.”

Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts

The law does not specify a fixed number of repair attempts to qualify as reasonable; instead, it depends on the nature of the defect(s). Generally, a vehicle may be considered a lemon if the manufacturer or its authorized service agent has made at least two attempts to fix a warranty problem, or if the vehicle has been in the shop for repairs for more than 30 cumulative days for any number of warranty problems.

Remedies Under the California Lemon Law

If a vehicle is determined to be a lemon, you are entitled to either a replacement vehicle of the same make, model, and with similar options and accessories, or a refund of the purchase price, including taxes, registration fees, and any paid finance charges. The manufacturer may deduct a reasonable usage fee based on the miles driven before the first repair attempt for the defect.

How to Proceed

Consumers who believe their vehicle is a lemon should keep detailed records of all repairs and communications with the dealership and manufacturer. It’s advisable to consult with an attorney who specializes in lemon law cases to navigate the claim process effectively. Legal costs are required to be paid by the manufacturer under the lemon law if you win your case, making it possible to get the best lemon law firm available in California.

The California Lemon Law provides significant protection for consumers dealing with defective vehicles. However, it is imperative to work with an expert Tehama County Lemon Law attorney, who will guide you through the process and help ensure the best possible outcome in your claim. 

Damages in a Tehama County Lemon Law Claim

Owning a defective vehicle is expensive and time-consuming, and if your car, truck, or SUV, EV, or hybrid, falls into the category of a lemon, you deserve to be compensated. If you are successful in bringing a Tehama County Lemon Law claim, you may be eligible for the following damages:

Refund

The primary remedy is a refund. The manufacturer must reimburse you for your vehicle’s purchase price, including the down payment, monthly installments, and all associated costs (such as sales tax, registration fees, and finance charges). Additionally, the manufacturer must settle any outstanding loan balance. However, they are permitted to deduct a portion of the refund to account for your use of the vehicle before the defect’s first repair attempt, calculated based on the miles driven until that point relative to the purchase price.

Replacement Vehicle

Alternatively, manufacturers may replace the defective vehicle with a new one that closely matches the original vehicle in terms of features and specifications, ensuring it is free of defects. The choice between a refund and a replacement is entirely up to you, the consumer.  The manufacturer may not make the choice for you.

Consequential and Incidental Charges

Should you successfully pursue a claim, the manufacturer is required to cover related expenses  like sales tax, registration fees, and other government-imposed costs. Expenses incurred due to the vehicle’s defects, such as towing and rental car costs, are also eligible for reimbursement.

Civil Penalties

If it’s determined that the manufacturer willfully ignored its obligations under the California Lemon Law, you may also be entitled to a civil penalty. This penalty, intended as a deterrent against future violations, can be up to twice the amount of your actual losses, including incidental and consequential damages, making the total potential recovery up to three times these costs.

Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Winning a lemon law case in California also means the manufacturer is responsible for your legal fees, litigation costs, and related expenses. This provision encourages people with valid claims to seek experienced legal representation, increasing their likelihood of success. Your best decision is to select the best lawyers to represent you.  It also enables attorneys to offer their services on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if the case is won, with some even covering litigation costs upfront. This arrangement removes the financial risk to you, allowing you to pursue your claims without fear of out-of-pocket expenses, even if the case is not successful.  An experienced, well qualified lemon law firm will not ask for any money from you up front.

What Types of Vehicles Have the Most Lemon Law Claims?

Some vehicles have been more prone to Lemon Law claims than others. In fact, most manufacturers–even those that generally enjoy a reputation for being reliable—have seen their fair share of Lemon Law claims. Of course, it is important to remember that models change from year to year, and past issues may not reflect the quality of current models.

Luxury Cars Tend to Experience a Higher Rate of Lemon Law Claims

It may come as a surprise, but luxury brands often make the top of the Lemon Law list. Brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar have, at times, been associated with higher-than-average lemon law claims. This could be attributed to the complexity of luxury vehicles and the fact that these vehicles often contain the newest technology, which may still have a few kinks that need to be worked out. 

Technology-Rich Vehicles Have a Higher Likelihood of Being a Lemon

As vehicle manufacturers integrate new technologies into their products – including infotainment systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), or innovative powertrain technologies – there exists the possibility of early-stage glitches. Historically, vehicles featuring cutting-edge technology have experienced an increase in initial problems, potentially resulting in lemon law claims.

Certain Manufacturers Experience More Problems than Others

Brands of vehicles that experience a high number of lemon law claims vary, but based on recent information, some manufacturers stand out. General Motors (GM), Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda are mentioned as major players in the automotive industry with significant lemon law claims. Specifically, models from GMC, such as the Sierra and Yukon, as well as Cadillac models, like the CTS and STS, have been involved in a noteworthy number of lemon law claims. Cadillac, in particular, is known as GM’s top lemon producer, with one lemon for every 103,167 vehicles. Additionally, other brands like Fiat, Porsche, and Jeep are also mentioned in relation to high lemon law complaints, with Fiat producing about one lemon per every 76,808 vehicles produced.

Are You Dealing with the Stress of Owning a Lemon?

If you purchased a new or used vehicle, and you believe that you may have bought a Lemon, reach out to the dedicated Tehama County Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC to learn more about bringing a claim against the manufacturer. At Wirtz Law APC, we take pride in seeking maximum compensation for vehicle owners dealing with defective vehicles. To learn more, or to arrange a complimentary consultation with a seasoned Tehama County Lemon Law attorney at Wirtz Law APC, reach out to us at 858-259-5009. You can also get in touch with us through our online contact form.