Manteca Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon Law Lawyer in Manteca, CA

When you buy a new or certified pre-owned car from a dealership, you do so with the reasonable expectation that the vehicle will be in the reported condition. If there are manufacturers’ defects that affect its operation, that can be a safety risk and negatively impact the vehicle’s value. If that happens, contact a Manteca lemon law attorney right away.

Let Lemon Law Pro be your go-to lemon law attorney. We provide services statewide, and it’s all free. You won’t have to pay anything for your initial consultation, and when we win lemon law cases, our attorneys’ fees get paid by the manufacturer, not the client. If you’re concerned you may have bought a lemon, turn to our team for the lemon law services you need. Let us evaluate your case using our extensive knowledge and experience.

Hire a Lemon Law Attorney?

Several years ago, three nonprofit public interest research groups conducted a study on lemons in California. The study ran from 2018 to 2021 and showed that General Motors topped the list for lemon law claims with one successful claim filed for every 78 vehicles sold. Toyota rounded out the bottom of the most-claims-filed list, with just one claim for every 2,029 cars sold. Overall, GM, Stellantis, Nissan, and Ford are responsible for 70% of lemon law claims filed.

It doesn’t matter what make and model your vehicle is. If it has a manufacturer’s defect, you need to hire a lemon law attorney as soon as you realize something is amiss. Your Tracy lemon lawyer can help you understand the relevant laws and ensure that you meet the strict deadlines set by them. They can help with everything from filing paperwork to hiring professional witnesses and providing courtroom litigation if it becomes necessary.

Classifying a Lemon

A lemon is a vehicle that doesn’t conform to the manufacturer’s warranty even after the dealership makes two to four attempted repairs. Nonconformities with the warranty can include any defects that impact the safety, use, or value of the car. The manufacturer gets four attempts to repair the defect before you can file a lemon law claim in CA, or two attempts if the problem is likely to cause serious injury or death if you drive the car.

Cars Covered Under California’s Lemon Law

Only certain vehicles are covered under California’s lemon law. If you go to a local dealership like Manteca Auto Land, your vehicle may not be covered. The lemon law only applies to new cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that are under manufacturers’ warranties. It doesn’t apply to used vehicles without warranties.

Time Limits for Filing a Claim

To be considered a lemon, the vehicle’s defect must come up within 18 months or 18,000 miles from the purchase date of your car. You’ll have additional time to file the claim, but it will only be valid if your problem occurs within this set time frame.

If the manufacturer is unable to repair your car, there are two ways to move forward. Under the CA lemon law, the manufacturer must either replace your vehicle or reimburse you for the car minus any value it has lost due to your use of it. You may need to file a civil claim or even go to court to get access to this remedy.

Understanding the Latest Changes

California’s lemon laws recently underwent some serious changes. According to AB 1755, vehicle owners now have one year from the expiration of their manufacturers’ warranties or up to six years from the original delivery date of the car to begin the claim filing process. Before filing a civil claim, drivers must now inform the manufacturer at least 30 days before filing a claim and engage in an official mediation process.

FAQs About Manteca Lemon Law

What Are the Common Pitfalls of Lemon Law Claims?

The common pitfalls of lemon law claims in California include poor documentation and vague complaints, giving up before enough repair attempts have been made, waiting too long to file, and failing to report all the issues the car has. You can avoid these and other pitfalls by hiring a Manteca lemon lawyer to help you with your claim.

What Evidence Do I Need for the CA Lemon Law?

The evidence you need for a CA lemon law case includes proof that the manufacturer was unable to fix substantial defects. The evidence you’ll need to provide could include repair orders, detailed repair logs, purchase or leasing documents, the warranty, and correspondence with the dealership. Photos or videos of the defect can also bolster your claim, as can testimony by professional witnesses.

What Is the Time Limit for the Lemon Law in California?

The time limit for the lemon law in California is one year after the manufacturer’s warranty expires or six years from the vehicle’s original delivery date. These new, stricter time limits were imposed by AB 1755. If you believe your car’s malfunctions might be due to a manufacturer’s defect, don’t wait to contact an attorney.

What Can I Do if a Dealership Sold Me a Bad Car?

If a dealership sold you a bad car in California, you can file a claim under the California lemon law, California Civil Code 1793.22. Before filing a civil claim, you’ll need to inform the manufacturer of the defect and follow the steps outlined in the recently passed AB 1755. The dealership will have two to four attempts to fix the problem, depending on its severity, and you’ll need to attend a mediation proceeding before filing your claim.

Manteca Lemon Law Attorney

If you need a Manteca lemon law attorney to help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim, turn to Lemon Law Pro. Our team has been handling lemon law cases for years, and we’re committed to keeping up to date with all the changes to the relevant laws and statutes. No matter what’s wrong with your car, we can help you get the situation resolved. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.