Need Help Filing A Lemon Law Claim in California? Call Now: (310) 627-2665

Wondering how to file a lemon law claim in California?  In order to file a successful lemon law claim you’ll need to know the following:

1. What qualifies a car as a lemon. And…

2. What steps are necessary to take during the lemon law process.

If you bought a defective vehicle that is still under its original warranty, you may be eligible to have your vehicle repurchased or replaced under the lemon law.

Keep reading for everything you need to know to file a successful lemon law claim in California.

At Cali Lemon Lawyers, we help clients file claims efficiently and with no out of pocket costs.  

Although you can file a lemon law claim on your own, your warranty should cover attorney fees in the event you purchase a lemon that needs to be returned.

Working with a lemon law lawyer can also alleviate the stress and time involved in filing, while also giving you the best chance of maximum recovery. Read on to learn more about the process or give us a call to discuss your case in detail.

California Lemon Laws

Federal lemon law covers all vehicles purchased within the United States. Two important federal laws that affect lemon law claims include:

• The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: This federal law provides protection to consumers who purchase products that come with a warranty and are worth over $25. The goal is to offer a streamlined process for consumers to bring a warranty suit against a manufacturer while also deterring manufacturers from selling defective products and using unfair warranty agreements. The act also provides for the awarding of attorney’s fees in lemon claims.
• The Uniform Commercial Code: This law grants consumers the right to a refund or the replacement of a product that is considered a lemon if purchased within the U.S.

Additionally, the California’s Lemon Law (Civ. Code § 1793.22) protects Californians whose vehicles under warranty are defective and cannot be fixed after a “reasonable” number of repair attempts. The vehicle manufacturer must either replace or repurchase the vehicle based on the consumer’s preference.

In California, lemon law also applies to used vehicles when they are still under a manufacturer’s warranty. If you purchased a used vehicle that is no longer under warranty, it is unlikely lemon laws will apply to your case—unless you can prove that the seller knowingly mislead or forced you into purchasing a defective vehicle.

How to File a Lemon Law Case in California

If you have purchased a vehicle you believe may be a lemon, we recommend doing the following as soon as possible:

• Take your vehicle to the dealership for repairs: Under state law, your dealership gets multiple chances to fix the defect before you can file a claim. Visit your dealership for repairs at least twice; if your vehicle is still malfunctioning after that, you may indeed have a lemon. Don’t forget to ask for and hold on to any copies of receipts and other documentation you receive from the dealer.
• Record and report any and all concerns: Next, gather all relevant documentation that backs up your lemon law claim. This includes a copy of your purchase or lease agreement as well as the receipts from your repair shop. Also, make sure your car is still under warranty—otherwise, you won’t have a claim. (However, if you bought your vehicle in for repairs while your car was under warranty and it only recently expired, you should be able to file a claim.)
• Hire an experienced lemon law attorney near you: As soon as you can, consult with a California lemon law attorney about your case to better understand your legal rights and options. Filing a complaint against a manufacturer requires legal expertise—plus, major manufacturers often hire their own defense attorneys to represent them in lemon law claims.

From there, we will handle the filing of your lemon law claim which includes contacting the manufacturer, negotiating a settlement, and taking them to trial if they refuse to comply. Our Los Angeles lawyers are experienced litigators who are willing to go up against even the largest vehicle manufacturers on your behalf.

California Lemon Law Attorneys

If the vehicle you purchased under warranty has been taken to the repair shop multiple times without results, your chances for securing a successful claim under California’s lemon law are high. Cali Lemon Lawyers is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the legal process and/or if you’re looking for comprehensive and effective legal representation.