#1 Lemon Law Lawyers in California

1. How do I know if I have a lemon?

The California Lemon Law says that the manufacturer is allowed a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix a substantial defect before your vehicle is considered a lemon. A substantial defect is a problem that is not caused by the owner’s use of the vehicle after purchase. It is a problem that impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. In most states, the defect must be covered under a written warranty and affect a serious function or expectation of the vehicle.

2. Does it cost anything to hire an attorney?

California’s Lemon Law makes the manufacturer to pay for your attorney’s fees and costs. This means that you will not have to pay for attorney’s fees out of your pocket, the manufacturer pays for it separately.

3. What if my car is out of warranty?

Even if your vehicle is out of warranty now, it may still qualify as a lemon if you had problems while it was under warranty and took it to an authorized repair facility during the warranty period.

4. Can my car qualify as a lemon if I bought it used?

The California Lemon does apply to used vehicles as long as they still have a warranty from the manufacturer or the dealership. It is important to note that the used vehicle only qualifies if it is bought from a retailer. That means that private sales, like buying a vehicle from a friend or family member, will not qualify as a lemon.

5. If the car was bought outside CA, does the lemon law still apply?

The California Lemon Law generally only applies to vehicles that were purchased or leased in California. That means that most consumers who purchased or leased out-of-state vehicles will not qualify under the California Lemon Law. However, If you are a member of the Armed Forces and stationed in California or if you are a resident of California while in the Armed Forces, you will be protected by the California Lemon Law, even if your vehicle was purchased or registered in another state.

If you are not a member of the Armed Forces, you may qualify for the Federal Lemon Law (often called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act). The Federal Lemon Law covers all consumer vehicles sold with warranties within the United States. It is important to contact a qualified Lemon Law attorney like The Lemon Pros right away, so we can assess if you qualify for compensation.