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#California Lemon Laws - Lemon Law Attorneys

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California Lemon Law

If your new car is spending more time at the repair shop than it spends with you, you might have a lemon on your hands. Thankfully, the California lemon law is in place to protect consumers facing a sour deal.

Generally, the lemon law covers new vehicles with serious defects/malfunctions for a certain amount of time or mileage. If your vehicle can't be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts by the manufacturer or its authorized dealer, you'll likely be entitled to a replacement vehicle of equal value or a total refund.

On this page you'll find a general overview of California's lemon law and what to do if you find yourself with a defective car.

What Is a Lemon in California?

A problem car's owner can be entitled to a comparable replacement or a refund of the purchase price (prorated based on the miles driven). Under California lemon law, there are a few qualifications:

• The car must still be under warranty.

• The owner must have taken the car in for repair for the same problem 4 times or more through an authorized dealer.

• The car must have been inoperable for a total of 30 days (not necessarily consecutive).

The problem or defect must also substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. To qualify, cars must be either purchased or leased in California for personal, family, or business use.

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Start Keeping Records

While many car dealerships/manufacturers are great about helping you get a lemon repaired or replaced, don't count on them to keep track of everything related to your problems. Keep records of all the time you've lost from work, time the vehicle has been in the shop, and the exact nature of any problems.

Look over each service write-up when you take your car in. Unscrupulous repair people have been known to switch a problem diagnosis, or attempt to report an ongoing problem as new, in order to buy the dealership more time on a possible lemon.

What to Do if You Have a California Lemon

Write a letter to the manufacturer asking it to buy back your car. This letter should be sent via certified mail, with a return receipt requested, to the address listed in your vehicle owner's manual. If the manufacturer balks at repurchasing your vehicle, you have two options: Hire an attorney that specializes in Lemon Law, or ask the manufacturer if it has an arbitration program. Check to see if the manufacturer offers an arbitration program by looking in your owner's manual, or by calling California's Bureau of Automotive Repair Hotline at (800) 952-5210. Request an application form and a copy of the manufacturer's arbitration program regulations. If at all possible, attend the arbitration hearing in person. You can either accept or reject the findings of the arbitration panel. Should you decide to reject the offer, or if the panel votes against you, don't despair. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can always file a suit against the manufacturer through the courts.