The California Lemon Law (Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act; Civil Code §§ 1790 et. seq.) is a consumer protection law designed to assure that warrantors abide by their warranty (express and implied) obligations. Specifically, if a substantial warranted problem with the consumer product is not fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts, the Ca Lemon Law requires that the warrantor repurchase or replace the product.

The California Lemon Law applies to all warranted consumer goods (new and used) that are sold in the State of California. For example, the Ca Lemon Law applies to the following warranted consumer goods including, but not limited to – cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, motor homes, boats, appliances, televisions, computers, etc.  The California Lemon Law also applies to business use vehicles as long as these vehicles have a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds, and no more than five vehicles are registered in the business name.

It is important to note that the California Lemon Law applies only to warranted consumer goods. If the product is not covered by warranty then the Ca Lemon Law will not apply. A simple rule – no warranty, no California Lemon Law rights.

In order to prevail in a California Lemon Law case, the consumer must prove that the warrantor was unable to fix the vehicle within a reasonable number of repair attempts. What is a reasonable number of repair attempts will vary based upon the particular problem. For example, if a car’s engine is shutting off while the vehicle is being driven, two repair attempts may be a “reasonable number.” If a window is not rolling up or down then four repair attempts may be a “reasonable number.” As a general rule, safety related defects will require less repair attempts to establish a “reasonable number” under the Ca Lemon Law. However, each potential California Lemon Law case must be judged based upon the particular problem and the particular consumer.

Another California Lemon Law element the consumer must prove is that the problem with the product substantially impairs the product’s use, value or safety to the consumer. In other words, the problem with the consumer good must not be trivial. However, what is trivial for one consumer may be substantial for another. For example, a navigation system that does not work could be trivial for a consumer that does not use the navigation system. But a defective navigation system could be substantial for one who uses and relies on the navigation system. Again, each potential Ca Lemon Law case must be judged based upon the particular problem and the particular consumer.

CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW RIGHTS FOR VEHICLES, CONSUMER GOODS & PRODUCTS

Assuming the consumer proves the basic elements to establish that the consumer good is a lemon under the California Lemon Law, then the consumer is entitled to restitution of the price (repurchase) of the good or replacement of the good.  In a new motor vehicle Ca Lemon Law case restitution of the price paid (repurchase) entitles the consumer to reimbursement of the price paid for the vehicle including, but not limited to – vehicle price, finance charges, tax, license/registration, documentation fees, etc. The restitution amount may be reduced by the number of miles that were on the vehicle when it was first delivered for repair of a problem leading to the nonconformity.  Ultimately, the purpose of the California Lemon Law Warranty Act is to make wronged consumers whole.

The California Lemon Law also entitles California consumers to payment of attorney’s fees if one prevails in his/her case. Therefore, consumers will usually not have to pay attorney’s fees to pursue their rights under the Ca Lemon Law.

David Farrell does not charge attorney’s fees in California Lemon Law cases. In most cases David Farrell also advances costs. As such, in most cases the consumer will have no out-of-pocket risk in pursuing a Ca Lemon Law claim.

For a free personal consultation, you may contact David Farrell via phone toll free (866) 360-6886, form or e-mail.

David J. Farrell is a California lemon law attorney. We take various lemon law cases including new car lemon law, used car lemon law, motorhome lemon law, motorcycle lemon law, business vehicle lemon law cases and more.  Browse our website including lemon law published opinions and other areas featured on our site.

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