California GMC Lemon Law Attorney

Local GMC Lemon Lawyer in California

When you purchase a new GMC car, you expect to be driving it with few or no issues for a considerable amount of time. Unfortunately, sometimes, brand new cars have serious manufacturer defects that affect the car’s function, safety, or value. When this happens, people in California have the right to pursue a solution under California’s lemon law. If you find yourself in this situation, reach out to an experienced California GMC lemon law attorney.

About Lemon Law Pro – Your Trusted Lemon Law Attorneys

If you have just purchased a new vehicle and it has already spent more time in the shop than in your garage, you may be experiencing significant frustration and buyer’s remorse. You may be making payments on a vehicle you cannot use, or worse, you may be concerned about your safety or your family’s safety every time you are behind the wheel. When you need to make use of California’s lemon law, it is vital to have a knowledgeable attorney in your corner.

At Lemon Law Pro, lemon law cases are all we do. Our team of attorneys has a combined six decades of experience advocating for clients, and our clients never pay for our services. Under California’s lemon law, all attorney fees are paid directly by the vehicle manufacturer rather than the consumer.

What Is the California Lemon Law?

Every year, millions of new vehicles are sold throughout the United States. In 2023, there were more than 1.78 million new cars sold in the state of California. While most of those vehicles are free from major factory defects, that is not the case for all of them, and consumers can find themselves facing a financial burden they never expected.

The California Lemon Law is the informal name for the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which was enacted to protect consumers from financial loss or other negative impacts of manufacturer mistakes. Under this law, if a vehicle has repeated instances of the same manufacturer-covered problems, it can be considered a lemon, and the manufacturer must either replace the vehicle for the consumer or buy it back for the purchase price.

Manufacturers are afforded the opportunity to repair the vehicle to bring it into conformity with quality and performance standards. Under the law, such repairs must be made within 30 days of the consumer bringing the problem to the manufacturer’s attention.

Steps to File a Lemon Law Claim for Your GMC Vehicle in California

No two lemon law cases are exactly the same, but the process is generally similar in every applicable situation. The basic course of action to take if you suspect you have a lemon is as follows: 

• Attempt to get repairs. As mentioned above, California’s lemon law requires that a vehicle’s manufacturer be allowed the opportunity to repair the defect. For major problems that affect a vehicle’s safety, a manufacturer may attempt repairs twice. For less serious problems, a manufacturer may usually attempt repairs up to four times.
• Hire a lawyer. If you have attempted to have repairs made and the problem persists, you should go ahead and hire a lemon law attorney at that point in the process. Your California lemon lawyer can handle the formal communication from this point forward.
• Collect documentation. Throughout the process, you should document the problems with the vehicle and the repair attempts. Having your original purchase documents and any records from repair shops can help support your claim.
• Request a refund or replacement. If repair attempts are unsuccessful, the next step is to contact GMC’s customer service department to request a refund or a vehicle replacement. Your attorney can do this for you, if you prefer.
• File a claim. In some cases, a vehicle’s manufacturer may refuse to take action to solve the problem. If this happens to you, the next step is to file a civil claim against the manufacturer in the Superior Court of California.

Why You Should Hire a Lemon Law Attorney?

Even if your lemon law case seems very straightforward, it is a good idea to hire a lemon law attorney to support you as you try to resolve the problem. Choosing an attorney with extensive knowledge of California’s lemon law can bolster your case by providing legal insight throughout the process. You could try to handle the situation on your own, but getting legal assistance makes it more likely that you achieve a successful outcome.

FAQs

Does the Lemon Law Only Apply to New GMC Vehicles?

No. California’s lemon law applies to both new GMC vehicles and used ones that are still new enough to be covered under the manufacturer warranty. Because manufacturer warranties usually cover vehicles up to a certain mileage, many used vehicles are still eligible for coverage when they are purchased for a second or even a third time.

Is It Likely That My GMC Lemon Law Case Will Go to Court?

No. Although it is possible for any civil claim to require courtroom litigation, it is highly unlikely that your lemon law case will require a court appearance. Courtroom proceedings are both time-consuming and expensive, and most of the time, the vehicle manufacturer would rather avoid that step if the case is legitimate.

Can I Decide Whether I Receive a Refund or a Replacement in My Lemon Law Case?

Yes. If it turns out that your vehicle’s defects are impossible to repair, you do get to decide whether you want a refund from the manufacturer or a replacement vehicle. Many customers opt for a refund rather than a replacement because they are concerned about the replacement vehicle having the same problems as the lemon.

Are Cosmetic Defects Covered Under the Lemon Law?

No. Cosmetic defects, even if they are a result of manufacturer mistakes, are not usually covered under California’s lemon law. For a defect to be eligible for a lemon law claim, it must generally affect the vehicle’s performance, safety, or value in a significant way that creates an unsafe or unfair situation for the consumer. The vast majority of cosmetic defects do not meet these criteria.

Contact Lemon Law Pro Today

If you find yourself in possession of a lemon from GMC, you need competent legal support to help you pursue justice and make the situation right. At Lemon Law Pro, we are dedicated to advocating for our clients, and we are prepared to help you, too. Contact us today to begin discussing your case.