Highland Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon Lawyer in Highland, CA

When you purchase a new vehicle, it should be an exciting time. You expect to have years of safe driving before any major issues need to be addressed. If you are repeatedly experiencing the same issue soon after purchasing your vehicle, you may have recourse under California’s Lemon Law. A Highland lemon law attorney can review your case and help determine if you have purchased a lemon. If so, an attorney can help you seek fair compensation.

Hire a Lemon Law Attorney

It can be overwhelming to deal with the same vehicle defect repeatedly. The cost of the repairs and the need for a rental car can get expensive. You need to hire a lemon law attorney to help you navigate the lemon law process so you can reach a fair agreement with the vehicle manufacturer. At Lemon Law Pro, we have years of experience handling lemon law cases and helping our clients statewide achieve satisfactory results.

California’s Lemon Law Enforcement

With roughly 57,000 residents in 2023, Highland workers have a longer-than-average commute at 29.7 minutes compared with the national average of 26.6 minutes. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024-2025, the Bureau of Automotive Repairs received over 4,800 complaints, which are tracked by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Most frequent complaints include negligence of:

• Auto body
• Engine repair and performance
• General repair and maintenance
• Transmission

Most lemon law claims are successfully handled through arbitration, but some cases require filing in civil court before fair compensation is received. Highland residents can file a civil claim in the San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Steps in a Lemon Law Case

If you suspect that your vehicle may be a lemon, you cannot file in civil court unless you have completed the appropriate steps first. A Highland lemon law lawyer can assess your claim and help determine your next step. The steps to file include:

• Determine if you are covered under California’s lemon law. Your new or pre-owned vehicle needs to be covered by the original manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty, and you have to allow for a reasonable number of repair attempts. Once the same defect has been repaired two or more times without resolving the defect, you can begin the claim process.
• Gather records of the repair attempts and any communication you’ve had with the dealer, the manufacturer, or the repair shop regarding the defect.
• Submit a formal written notice of your intent to file a lemon law claim due to the defect with the manufacturer. You have to specify what remedy you are seeking, either a repurchase or a replacement.
• Attend arbitration with the manufacturer, where a third party determines if the vehicle is considered a lemon and what would be considered appropriate compensation. If you disagree with the arbitrator’s opinion, you do not have to agree with their decision.
• If arbitration is unsuccessful, you can file in civil court, where a judge or jury can review the evidence of the case and decide if the vehicle qualifies as a lemon and what compensation would be appropriate.

FAQs About Lemon Law in Highland, CA

Where Can You File a Complaint Against a Dealership in California?

There are several places you can file a complaint against a dealership in California, based on the nature of the complaint. Fraud or illegal sales practice complaints can be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division.

Repair or warranty complaints are handled by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Unfair business practice complaints are filed with the California Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission. Business disputes can be filed with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

How Much Does It Cost to File a Lemon Law Claim in California?

Filing a lemon law claim in California should not cost the claimant anything. Lemon law attorneys usually charge on a contingency fee basis. Under California’s lemon law, the vehicle manufacturer is responsible for paying attorney fees after the case has been resolved. Arbitration programs are also often free for consumers. If the case goes to court and is unsuccessful, you usually do not have to pay anything to your attorney.

Who Decides If a Car Is a Lemon?

If you go through arbitration, the arbitrator examines the evidence and decides if the vehicle is a lemon. If you file a claim in court, either the judge or jury can examine the evidence and decide if the vehicle is a lemon. Generally, minor defects require four or more repair attempts, while major defects require at least two repair attempts. Spending more than 30 days in the repair shop also could qualify a vehicle as a lemon.

What Is the New Lemon Law in California?

The new lemon law in California refers to the Assembly Bill 1755, which modifies the existing Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. This bill creates a one-year deadline from the end of the warranty, but no more than six years from the date of purchase to seek restitution.

The consumer is also required to provide written notice to the manufacturer with their specific demands for compensation. The bill also requires mediation before court action is taken.

What Remedies Are Available Under California’s Lemon Law?

There are two possible remedies under California’s lemon law. You can either have the defective vehicle repurchased or replaced by the manufacturer. When it is determined that the vehicle is a lemon, the manufacturer can offer either to repurchase the vehicle or to replace it. If the manufacturer offers to replace the vehicle, you can choose to have it repurchased instead. However, if they offer to repurchase the vehicle, you cannot choose to have it replaced.

Contact Lemon Law Pro

As a former insurance defense lawyer, Kimberli Zazzi knows how these large corporations work and uses that knowledge to advocate for her clients’ interests. Our team works exclusively with lemon law cases, so you benefit from our up-to-date knowledge of existing lemon laws. The manufacturer pays attorney fees in lemon law claims, so you have nothing to lose. Contact Lemon Law Pro today to schedule your initial consultation with a Highland lemon law attorney.