Auburn Lemon Law Attorneys

Wirtz Law APC has years of experience recovering compensation for clients across California. Along with damages, our Auburn lemon law attorneys also obtain civil penalties against auto manufacturers and distributors who are responsible for selling defective vehicles to consumers. If you have been sold a lemon in Auburn, the skilled trial team at Wirtz Law APC is ready to protect your rights and hold car manufacturers accountable.

A Guide to the California Lemon Law

The California lemon law protects consumers who have bought a defective car, SUV, or truck. A vehicle is considered a lemon if the defect significantly compromises its use, safety, or value. Additionally, these defects persist even after a reasonable number of attempts to repair them, which could be as few as two tries. If your car qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer is legally required to buy back or replace your vehicle.

A defective vehicle is not only frustrating to deal with, but it also poses hazards to you, your loved ones, and others who share the road. While no car is perfect, the least one can expect is for a vehicle to operate safely, reliably, and as intended.

When major car manufacturers sell consumers a defective vehicle and refuse to buy it back, they are in violation of the lemon law. If you have ended up with a lemon, you need to call (858) 259-5009.

The experienced Auburn lemon law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC will safeguard your rights and handle your claim on a contingency fee basis. This means there is no cost to you and when you succeed the automaker must pay your fees, costs and expenses. 

What Kind of Defects Are Covered Under the Lemon Law for Auburn Vehicles?

The lemon law does not just apply to purchased vehicles; leased vehicles are covered, too. Vehicle problems are far more common than you might think. A 2022 study found that California has the highest number of open safety recalls in the country, with 5.6 million unrepaired recalls. Sedans and SUVs were the most likely to have unrepaired recalls out of all vehicle types that year.

The California lemon law covers a broad range of defects that significantly affect a vehicle’s value, use, or safety. These defects can include but are not limited to:

• Mechanical defects: Issues with the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension, and other critical components affect the vehicle’s performance and safety.

• Electrical system issues: Problems with the vehicle’s electrical system, including malfunctioning lights, power windows, navigation systems, and more.

• Safety-related defects: Any defects that directly compromise the safety of the vehicle occupants or other road users, such as faulty airbags, seatbelts, or braking systems.

• Structural problems: Defects in the vehicle’s frame or body that affect its integrity, stability, or safety.

• Persistent noises or vibrations: Continual and unresolvable issues with rattling, clunking, or vibrations that impact the driving experience and comfort.

• HVAC problems: Inoperable or ineffective heating, cooling, or ventilation systems that make driving uncomfortable or even hazardous.

• Excessive fuel consumption: Unreasonable fuel consumption that goes beyond what is typical for the vehicle’s make and model.

• Transmission issues: Recurring problems with gear shifting, slipping, or jerking that affect the drivability of the vehicle.

• Chronic fluid leaks: Continuous and unresolved issues with oil, coolant, or other fluid leaks that can lead to long-term mechanical damage.

• Unresolved recalls: If the manufacturer fails to repair the vehicle according to a recall notice, it could be considered a lemon under certain circumstances.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common cause of vehicle recalls in 2022 was equipment-related issues, accounting for 29 percent of factory recalls. The other top causes were electrical systems and power trains with 20 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The most common vehicle parts to trigger safety-related recalls include brakes, seat belts, tires, fuel pumps, door latches, and electrical components.

You should still reach out to a lawyer even if you do not see your issue listed. The Auburn lemon law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC can evaluate your situation and help you determine whether you have a claim under the lemon law.

I Live In Auburn, So Does My Vehicle Qualify as a Lemon?

The California lemon law covers many types of vehicles, including cars, EVs, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. It also applies to vehicles leased or purchased mainly for business purposes, as long as the vehicle has a gross weight under 10,000 pounds. Additionally, the business can only register a maximum of five vehicles. An Auburn consumer may have a claim under California’s lemon law if:

• They have leased or purchased a new vehicle from a California dealership. The law may also apply to used vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty.
• The authorized dealership or repair facility is unable to fix your vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts under the applicable warranty.
• The defect in your vehicle has substantially impaired its value, use, or safety, or
• The car has been out of service for more than a total of 30 days due to repairs for warranty-related issues.

A key point to note is that the law does not specify a set number of repairs for a vehicle to be considered a lemon. The automaker must make a reasonable number of attempts to fix the vehicle, which can be as little as two tries. Additionally, the lemon law applies to the entire vehicle, not just a particular component.

How Does a Lemon Law Buyback Work in Auburn?

Consumers who have purchased or leased a lemon can either request a replacement vehicle from the manufacturer or a buyback. A buyback is when an automaker repurchases a defective vehicle that qualifies as a lemon under the California lemon law. 

With the latter option, the automaker is responsible for compensating you the amount you spent on the vehicle, which is calculated using a formula specified by the law. The buyback may also include related incidental and consequential damages, such as rental car costs incurred during the vehicle’s repair period.

If the automaker willfully failed to buy back your car, you can also get additional damages called civil penalties. Civil penalties can be in an additional amount up to two times your actual damages.

The automaker must also pay the attorney fees and other legal expenses you incurred when filing your lemon law claim. Wirtz Law APC can help you evaluate a buyback offer to ensure you are receiving the full amount you deserve. Pursuing a lemon law claim can be a challenging process. Our Auburn lemon law attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way.

How Does a Vehicle Recall Affect My Auburn Lemon Law Claim?

If you have already started the lemon law claim process, you are likely well on your way to receiving compensation for your defective vehicle. What happens if a large-scale recall has been announced?

The NHTSA can order a recall, or the auto manufacturer can announce one voluntarily due to safety issues. Millions of recalls have been issued in recent years from large automakers. According to the NHTSA, automakers issued around 300 safety-related recalls in 2022.

Ford had the highest number of recalls that year with 67 separate campaigns affecting more than 8.6 million vehicles. Volkswagen came second with 45 recalls affecting over a million vehicles, followed by Fiat–Chrysler/Stellantis, with 38 recalls covering more than 3 million vehicles.

Among the affected Ford vehicles were pickup trucks with fractured driveshafts and SUVs with oil leak issues that posed a fire hazard. Additionally, over 310,000 trucks were affected by airbag-related recalls in 2022.

Just because a vehicle is recalled does not necessarily mean it is a lemon, even when it has undergone multiple recalls for different issues. Most recall issues are resolved on the first repair attempt free of charge. As a result, one-time recalls typically do not result in a lemon law claim.  If you have already filed a lemon law claim, a recall on your vehicle is unlikely to impact your case if the manufacturer has been unable to fix the issue after multiple attempts. If your vehicle has been subjected to several recalls for various warranty-covered issues, your chances of having grounds for a successful claim under California’s lemon law may increase. Reach out to an Auburn lemon law attorney to obtain guidance on your rights.

Is Hiring an Auburn Lawyer Necessary for a Lemon Law Claim?

You do not have to hire a lawyer to file a lemon law claim, but taking on automakers alone might not be the best move. A team of experienced trial attorneys can stand up for your rights and ensure you are maximizing the protections the law offers.

Car companies have large teams of lawyers working for them, ready to counter your claim. At Wirtz Law APC, we know the tactics they commonly use and how to deal with them. We are steadfast advocates for consumers and are dedicated to helping them get the compensation they deserve after purchasing a lemon.

Many lawyers talk a big game about knowing the law and getting quick results. At Wirtz Law APC, we combine our deep knowledge of lemon law with the experience of trying cases before juries. While other law firms may promise speedy solutions, our Auburn lemon law attorneys are all about getting the best possible results for every client. Our successful track record speaks for itself.

Contact Our Auburn Lemon Law Attorneys at Wirtz Law APC Today

If you are frustrated with your vehicle’s repeated problems and suspect it is a lemon, contact Wirtz Law APC for a free case evaluation. Because we take cases on a contingency fee basis, there is no charge to you unless we win your lemon law claim. Call (858) 259-5009 to speak to an experienced Auburn lemon law attorney who can determine whether your car is a lemon and advise you on your next steps.