Merced Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon Law Lawyer in Merced, CA

California has laws in place to protect drivers from disreputable practices by automotive dealerships. They’re known as lemon laws and state that if a manufacturer’s defect comes up within a certain amount of time following your purchase of a new or certified pre-owned car, the dealership is required to either address the issue or refund your money. A Merced lemon law attorney can make sure that they live up to these requirements.

The team at Lemon Law Pro has been providing lemon law services to clients statewide for years. In that time, we’ve handled all kinds of lemon law cases. We know what it takes to get car dealerships to take your claim seriously and provide a timely response, and we’re committed to keeping up with changing California lemon laws. When you hire us, our services are covered by the manufacturer, not you, so you won’t have to pay a cent.

Hire a Lemon Law Attorney

More than 22,000 lemon law claims were filed in 2023, which is indicative of the overall trends. In 2022, there were 15,000 filings. We can expect 2024 to show an even greater number of lemon law claims when data is released. Approximately one in three of these claims was filed against GM, with other common culprits including Ford, Nissan, and Chrysler.

No matter who manufactured your car, if it’s a lemon, you deserve to have it repaired, replaced, or refunded. You can hire a lemon law attorney to help you accomplish that goal. Recent legislation has further complicated the already complex process of filing a lemon law claim, but your Merced lemon lawyer can assist you with everything from filing paperwork to negotiating with manufacturers.

Classifying a Car As a Lemon

Not every defective car is covered under California lemon laws. To be considered a lemon, your car has to meet certain criteria. It must:

• Be newly purchased or purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle
• Be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty
• Have a defect that affects the car’s safety, use, or value
• Have been in your possession for less than 18 months or 18,000 miles
• Have been purchased from a dealership like Western Motors Merced
• Have undergone two to four repair attempts by the dealership

If your car meets all these criteria, you may be eligible to file a claim. A lemon law attorney can help you hold the dealership accountable for having sold you a defective vehicle. If the defect can’t be fixed, the dealership is required to either replace the car or refund your money minus any value the car lost as a direct result of its ongoing use while you owned it.

The Process of Reporting a Lemon in California

California recently passed legislation that made some major changes to its existing lemon laws. It used to be the case that you could file a claim against a dealership that sold you a lemon as soon as one of three conditions had been met:

• The dealership had made four attempts to fix a minor problem.
• The dealership had made two attempts to fix a problem that could lead to serious injury or death.
• It had been at least 30 days since you brought your car in for repairs under the lemon law.

Now, things are a bit more complicated. AB 1755, which went into effect in 2025, requires you to complete two additional steps before you can submit your claim. First, you must submit an official report to the manufacturer detailing the defect. Once the manufacturer responds, you must then engage in mediation proceedings. Only if you can’t reach a reasonable resolution during these proceedings can you go on to the litigation phase and file a civil claim.

FAQs About Merced Lemon Law

What Is the #1 Most Frequently Returned Type of Car Under CA’s Lemon Law?

The #1 most frequently returned type of car under CA’s lemon law is one manufactured by General Motors. Frequently returned models include the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra, the Cadillac XT5, the Chevrolet Suburban, and the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Common problems include transmission and engine problems that can’t be resolved by dealership mechanics.

What Is the Minimum Number of Repair Attempts for the Lemon Law?

The minimum number of repair attempts for the lemon law in California is four attempts for less serious issues and two attempts for any problem that could cause serious injury or death if it is not resolved. After the manufacturer has made two to four unsuccessful attempts at fixing your car, you are allowed to begin the process of filing a lemon law claim.

How Long Does a Law Case in California Last?

How long a lemon law case in California lasts varies depending on the specifics of the case. Under AB 1755, manufacturers have 150 days to begin engaging in mediation with vehicle owners. However, not all problems are resolved with mediation. In some cases, owners must go to court, which can substantially increase the amount of time required to resolve lemon law cases.

What Are the Most Common Issues Covered by CA’s Lemon Law?

The most common issues covered by CA’s lemon law include engine problems, transmission failures, electrical system issues, problems with brake systems, and steering or suspension defects. That said, any issue that causes a negative impact on your ability to use your car or its ability to maintain its value should be covered under California’s lemon law.

Merced Lemon Law Attorney

If you’re looking for a Merced lemon law attorney to help you file a claim, look no further than Lemon Law Pro. Our dedicated legal team provides a full range of lemon law services. We can help you with everything from submitting an initial report to the manufacturer to filing your lemon law claim. Plus, you won’t have to pay a cent. All our attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer.

Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today. We use our knowledge and experience to hold faulty manufacturers accountable.