Lancaster Lemon Law Attorney

Buying a car is an investment, and you understandably expect it to last you a long time. However, if you find yourself frequently taking a vehicle to the mechanic, it can turn your new purchase into a nightmare. Under California’s Lemon Laws, you have options.

Driving is the predominant method of transportation in California. Most Californians have driver’s licenses, and the number of registered vehicles exceeds that of licensed drivers. In light of these facts, California maintains some of the most effective lemon laws in the nation. Unlike many jurisdictions where consumers have to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, California provides vehicle owners with a viable remedy.

A timely and adequate resolution often requires the assistance of an experienced Lancaster, California, lemon law attorney. Contact the top-rated Lancaster Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC today to discuss your defective or dangerous vehicle. We can help you determine if you have a case against the manufacturer of the car or the party you purchased it from.

Lancaster, Los Angeles County Statistics

In 2021, the California DMV recorded a total of 6,386,830 car registrations and 1,150,957 truck registrations. Los Angeles county truck registrations were more than double compared to San Diego and Orange County.

According to DataUSA’s 2020 report, 79.9% of commuters drove alone. Of those commuters, the average drive time was thirty-one minutes compared to 26 minutes for the US average. Employees commuting to and from Lancaster (8.15%) had a super commute of at least 90 minutes.

The report also revealed that Lancaster households have an average of 2 cars per household. By purchasing or leasing a new or used vehicle, it can be difficult to distinguish what makes a car a lemon. Talking to an experienced Lancaster lemon law attorney is the next best step to take. 

What are the Signs that a Car is a Lemon?

In the context of a motor vehicle, a lemon generally refers to an automobile under warranty with a defect or combination of defects that the manufacturer cannot repair within a reasonable number of repair attempts. Sometimes a vehicle can be considered a lemon after only two repairs. Some common signs that a car might be a lemon include the following:

Tire Wear

Continuous uneven tire wear even after alignments could indicate that the vehicle has an unrepairable suspension issue.  

Repeated Fit and Finish Problems

Easily or frequently damaged interiors, inoperable seat belts, broken or missing control knobs, and ripped cushions, may indicate that the vehicle is not of the same quality as other vehicles. If the problem or defects repeat themselves, you may have a lemon.  

Sloppy Bodywork

Misaligned car doors, rattling windows, squeaking body parts, and rubbing panel joints can be defects that qualify your vehicle as a lemon if they are substantial and impair your use, value, and safety.

Foul or Strong Smells

A car’s smells can provide helpful information about the condition and safety of the vehicle. Unusual or persistent odors may indicate water damage, mold, or an oil leak. The “dirty dish rag” smell can indicate a defect in the welding of metal parts allowing water to leak in. It can also indicate a defective air conditioning system. Water stains in your roof liner or other interior fabrics can also be the result of a water leak defect. If the car smokes from the engine compartment and smells like burnt oil, it probably is and is a sign of an oil leak. Oil leaks can be very dangerous because of the potential to ignite and cause a fire.  

Consumers who believe their vehicle might qualify under California’s lemon laws should find the warranty, search for recalls, and consult a Lancaster lemon law lawyer.

What are California’s Lemon Laws?

In California, the Motor Vehicle Warranty and Lemon Law provide that a purchaser or lessee of a vehicle has various federal and state rights if their car does not perform in conformity with an express warranty or implied warranty.

Song-Beverly Warranty Act

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, known as California’s Lemon Law, provides a significant safeguard for consumers in breach of warranty claims. While the Act covers most consumer goods for non-commercial use, except food and clothing, it is widely associated with defective vehicles.

California’s Lemon Law covers cars, vans, pickup trucks, SUVs, EVs, hybrids, and motorhomes that manifest defects under a manufacturer’s warranty. Further, the Act sets forth the rules that manufacturers and distributors must abide by when offering warranties. Most importantly, the Act explains that if, after at least two attempts the vehicle’s manufacturer or its authorized representative cannot service or repair the car to keep it free from defects, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle or return the purchase price. The defects must also substantially impair your use, value, or safety of the vehicle.

What is the Rule for New Vehicles under California’s Lemon Law?

The Song-Beverly Act applies to new motor vehicles, including demonstrators and loaners, and any other car sold with a remaining used car warranty would be a “new car” for purposes of the Lemon Law.  For instance, a four-year-old car sold with a certified used car warranty would be considered “new” under California’s Lemon Laws. There are complicated rules that apply to the definition of a new motor vehicle under California’s Lemon Laws. Contacting an experienced Lancaster Lemon Law firm like Wirtz Law APC can help you know your rights and give you guidance on the lemon law.

Remedies Under the Song-Beverly Warranty Act

Vehicles that qualify under California’s lemon laws may be eligible for a refund or replacement vehicle. Purchasers who choose a replacement are entitled to one substantially identical to the original car. Those who opt for a refund may secure damages for the vehicle’s cost and any incidental and consequential damages. These damages might include the following:

The price of the vehicle minus the mileage offset;

• Sales tax;
• Finance fees;
• Reimbursement for towing or storage;
• The cost of a rental car; and
• Out-of-pocket repair costs.

In some cases, consumers may secure up to two times the actual damages if they prove that the manufacturer willfully failed to comply with lemon laws. These are additional damages called civil penalties to discourage the automakers from violating the lemon laws in the future.

Federal Lemon Laws

In addition to California’s lemon laws, various federal statutes govern the conduct and requirements of used car dealers.

However, a company must comply with the Act if it offers a written contract. If you recently bought a new car—or a vehicle still under its original warranty—and you think you may have a lemon on your hands, you may have a legal claim against the seller or vehicle manufacturer under the California Lemon Law.

What Happens During A Lemon Law Case? – A Guide to California Lemon Law Infographic

Has Your Recent Vehicle Purchase Left You Feeling Sour?

At Wirtz Law, APC, our Lancaster Lemon Law lawyers have decades of hands-on experience helping ensure that our clients receive precisely what they deserve–and nothing less. We have a success rate of more than 97 percent and have recovered more than $50 million for our clients.

If you are fed up, have had enough, and think your car is a lemon, call us at (858) 259-5009 for a free evaluation. If your vehicle is determined as a lemon, we will take your case at no charge on a contingency fee basis. Wirtz Law APC provides one of the best Lancaster Lemon Law attorney services in Southern California, including Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Castaic, Valencia, and other towns in Los Angeles County. We also provide services for Northern California, Central California, and Eastern California lemon law claims. 

To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with a Lancaster Lemon Law attorney at Wirtz Law, APC, you can reach us through our secure online contact form, and one of our attorneys will be in touch with you shortly.