Ventura County Lemon Law Attorneys

Southern California Lawyers Diligently Work to Free Vehicle Owners from High Repair Costs Associated with Defective Vehicles

The dedicated Ventura County Lemon Law lawyers at Wirtz Law APC, have extensive experience successfully handling Ventura County Lemon Law claims. Vehicle manufacturers devote tremendous resources to defending against Lemon Law claims, and it’s important you have a seasoned attorney who has the skill, dedication, and confidence necessary to make sure your claim receives the attention it deserves. The lawyers on our team have recovered more than $50 million in Lemon Law claims and look forward to learning more about your case.

What Is a Lemon?

“Lemon” is a term broadly used to describe a vehicle that, despite repeated trips to the dealership for warranty repairs, still continues to experience the same or new malfunction. Each state has its own Lemon Law, as does the federal government. Under California law, a lemon is a vehicle that continues to have defects after a “reasonable” number of attempts to cure the defect. 

Which Vehicles Does the California Lemon Law Cover?

The California Lemon Law covers all new vehicles as well as certified used vehicles that are still under the original manufacturer’s warranty or extended warranty. Typically, the California Lemon Law only covers vehicles that are purchased or leased in the state. However, members of the Armed Forces stationed in California are covered under the state’s Lemon Law regardless of where they purchased their vehicles. 

What Is Considered a Reasonable Number of Attempts?

Under California’s Lemon Law, a vehicle is a lemon if, after a reasonable number of attempts, the defect persists. But what does the term “a reasonable number of attempts” really mean? In California, a reasonable number of attempts can be as little as two times.  The exact amount is dependent on your circumstances.  

If you have questions about whether your car is a lemon, reach out to the Ventura County Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC, to schedule a free consultation. 

What Is the Remedy for Owners of a Lemon?

There are a few different statutes that provide different remedies for vehicle owners who purchase or lease a lemon. However, as a general rule, owners who have a lemon on their hands are entitled to have the manufacturer of the vehicle either buy back or replace their vehicle. In some situations, the manufacturer may also be on the hook for a civil penalty. 

Damages in most Lemon Law claims fall into the following categories:

Replace or Repurchase: The manufacturer must either replace the owner’s defective vehicle or buy the vehicle back from the owner. The amount a manufacturer must pay may be reduced by the value the owner received during any period when the vehicle was not defective. 

Attorney Fees, Costs, and Expenses: Vehicle owners who successfully pursue a Lemon Law claim can recover their attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses from the manufacturer. While this may seem like a small benefit, it enables owners to pursue Lemon Law claims without worrying that any damages they receive would go directly to the lawyer handling their case. This also means that there is no harm in hiring the best Ventura County Lemon Law attorney possible because if you win your case, the manufacturer will foot the bill. Also, experienced Lemon Law attorneys take cases on a contingency basis, meaning they will not charge a vehicle owner anything upfront and will only recover attorney’s fees in the event they recover damages for the owner. 

Incidental and Consequential Damages: Vehicle manufacturers may also be responsible for an owner’s incidental damages and consequential damages. Incidental and consequential damages refer to any other damages to the vehicle that was caused by the defect or expenses related to owning the lemon vehicle. Incidental damages can include expenses related to inspection, repair, transportation, and storage of a lemon vehicle. 

What Is a Civil Penalty in a Ventura County Lemon Law Case?

Most of the damages awarded in a Lemon Law claim are intended to compensate the vehicle owner for the difference between what they thought they were buying and what they actually got. However, civil penalties are designed to deter vehicle manufacturers from committing future violations of the California Lemon Law. In this way, a court can award a civil penalty in addition to an owner’s actual, incidental, and consequential damages. To successfully obtain civil penalties, a buyer must show that the manufacturer committed a willful violation of the California Lemon Law. 

A court can order a manufacturer to pay a civil penalty in any amount, up to two times the amount of the owner’s actual, incidental, and consequential damages. Thus, the maximum recovery the buyer can recover in the California Lemon Law claim is three times these damages (a refund of the value of the vehicle plus twice that amount in civil penalties). 

Is a Recalled Vehicle the Same Thing as a Lemon?

Not necessarily. A product recall is a request by a manufacturer for a consumer to bring back an object they purchased. For example, if a vehicle manufacturer realizes that the specific type of fuel pump installed on thousands of vehicles was defective, the manufacturer may issue a recall to replace the fuel pump. A recall can be issued for any number of reasons, but most have to do with the safety of the vehicle, but that isn’t always the case. 

A recalled vehicle isn’t always considered a lemon. This is because sometimes the manufacturer issues the recall, and the problem gets resolved on the first trip to the dealership. In this case, the car isn’t a lemon because the manufacturer was able to cure the defect within a reasonable number of attempts. 

Which Auto Manufacturers Offer the Best Warranties?

All car manufacturers offer some type of new car warranty. However, some manufacturers’ warranties are much better than others. This is very important because the Lemon Law only applies to used cars that were purchased with a Certified Pre-Owned Warranty.

There are two main types of warranties: bumper-to-bumper warranties and power-train warranties. Bumper-to-bumper warranties get their name from the fact that they cover most of the parts between a vehicle’s front and rear bumper. This includes the engine, steering system, drive axle, transmission, braking system, suspension system, and, usually, the navigation system. Bumper-to-bumper warranties usually last between three to five years, depending on the manufacturer.  

Power-train warranties typically cover a vehicle’s engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Power-train warranties cover the most important parts of a vehicle, and so these warranties typically last longer than bumper-to-bumper warranties. Most vehicle manufacturers offer power-train warranties that last between three to ten years. 

Below is a list of some of the major auto manufacturers’ bumper-to-bumper and power-train warranties:

Acura

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 6 years / 70,000 miles power-train warranty

BMW

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 4 years / 50,000 miles power-train warranty

Cadillac

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 6 years / 70,000 miles power-train warranty

Ford

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Genesis

• 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 10 years / 100,000 miles power-train warranty

Honda

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Hyundai

• 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 10 years / 100,000 miles power-train warranty

Infiniti

• 4 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 6 years / 70,000 miles power-train warranty

Jaguar

• 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Kia

• 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 10 years / 100,000 miles power-train warranty

Lexus

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 6 years / 70,000 miles power-train warranty

Lincoln

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 6 years / 70,000 miles power-train warranty

Mitsubishi

• 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 10 years / 100,000 miles power-train warranty

Nissan

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Range Rover

• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 4 years / 50,000 miles power-train warranty

Scion

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Toyota

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
• 5 years / 60,000 miles power-train warranty

Note that the warranties above last for the shorter of either the number of years or the number of miles traveled. If you have questions about whether your used vehicle is still under the original manufacturer’s warranty, reach out to the Ventura County Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC, for assistance.

Contact an Experienced Ventura County Lemon Law Attorney For Assistance

If you recently bought a new or used car and have spent more time taking your car into the shop than you have driving, you may have a lemon on your hands. If so, the dedicated Ventura County Lemon Law lawyers at Wirtz Law APC can help.

At Wirtz Law APC, we specialize in handling all types of Lemon Law claims, from simple to complex. We understand what manufacturers want to see before agreeing to compensate you fairly for your defective vehicle, and we are able to resolve most of our cases without litigation. However, as seasoned trial lawyers, we are not afraid to head to court whenever it becomes necessary.

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 a lemon, we will take your case at no charge to you on a contingency fee basis. Wirtz Law APC provides one of the best Ventura County Lemon Law attorney services in Southern California. We take pride in servicing Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Camarillo, Channel Islands, and other parts of Northern California, Central California, and Eastern California.