If you have been sold a defective vehicle and have made repeated attempts to repair it without success, you may have the right to sue the manufacturer. Contact a Lemon Law lawyer at Quill & Arrow, LLP to explore your options.
Lemon Law FAQs
Have You Been Sold a Lemon Vehicle?
We've dedicated our careers to serving and supporting people who need help the most. We've achieved outstanding results in these cases and are confident in our ability to fight for your rights, especially against manufacturers who are often overqualified and unfairly shielded from accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about the basics surrounding California's Lemon Law before speaking to a trusted Lemon Law attorney at Quill & Arrow, we've answered some of the more common questions regarding it below.
I heard that California Lemon Law protections only apply to new, personal vehicles, and not to used, leased, or commercial vehicles. Is that true?
No, that is a common misconception. California's Lemon Law regulations protect purchasers of new and used vehicles (including leased vehicles), provided there was an applicable warranty for the time period during which you made reasonable attempts to repair the defects.
Commercial vehicles are also covered by California's Lemon Law regulations, though there are a couple of additional requirements of which purchasers should be aware:
- The vehicle at issue will not qualify as a lemon if the business has registered more than five vehicles in its name.
- The gross weight of the vehicle must be less than 10,000 pounds.
Am I required to arbitrate my Lemon Law dispute?
No. Arbitration is generally a poor strategy for securing compensation in the context of Lemon Law (even though arbitrators are meant to be neutral), parties with significant industry connections and financial resources at their disposal tend to be advantaged by the arbitration process.
Consider the following: an arbitrator is likely to be biased against a "one-off" plaintiff, as they are aware—whether consciously or subconsciously—that large corporations are routinely involved in litigation, and might later require their paid arbitration services. Although the process is intended to be fair and balanced, it's undeniable that arbitrators who make decisions favorable to the manufacturer may potentially secure a future benefit.
What sort of compensation am I entitled to if my vehicle qualifies as a "lemon" under the law?
- Reimbursement: The most common remedy in Lemon Law cases is reimbursement for the vehicle and any incidental damages incurred as a result of the defect. The manufacturer repurchases the faulty vehicle (after deducting the value of use derived from the mileage amount).
- Cash and Keep Settlement: In this case, the vehicle owner retains the vehicle and receives compensation for its defects. Cash settlements may compensate for repairs, diminished value, and incidental damages, including towing and rental car expenses.
Am I entitled to compensation if my vehicle doesn't meet the necessary qualifications to be considered a "lemon" under the law?
Yes. However, your compensation will not include a vehicle refund. If your vehicle is defective but doesn't qualify as a "lemon," you may still pursue legal action and recover compensation for the diminished value due to its defects.
Will a modification affect my ability to recover under Lemon Law regulations?
It can. If the modification caused or contributed to the defect at issue, the manufacturer has no obligation to replace or reimburse you for any resulting losses. As such, if you've made any modifications, you'll have to show that the modification isn't linked to the "lemon" status of your vehicle.