The objective of buying a new car is to have a reliable and predictable mode of personal transport. If you have recently purchased a new car only to find that you have to take it in for repeated repairs of the same problem, chances are the car you bought is a lemon. Under the California lemon law, you, the consumer, are protected.
In California, new vehicles that come from the factory with serious defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts may entitle you to a replacement or a refund of the price you paid. This has to happen within a certain time frame or mileage after you bought the vehicle.
In California; what is considered to be a lemon?
In the state, the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is that which provide protection for those that have either purchased or leased a new vehicle. Under the act, the vehicle is considered a lemon if, within 18 months from the date of purchase or lease or 18,000 miles, and:
* The defect is such that it could be the cause of death or serious injury, the manufacturer must repair the defect within two attempts
* The defect is covered under the new car warranty the manufacturer is given four chances to repair it
* The car has been in for repair for 30 days or more
Under no circumstances is the manufacturer liable for the vehicle if the defect is caused by owner abuse.
If the car meets the requirement of the California lemon law the manufacturer must either replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price. In the event the manufacturer refuses to settle or takes an inordinate amount of time to do so you have the right to request arbitration or hire a lemon law attorney to deal with it on your behalf.
The California lemon law provides adequate protection for those that buy or lease a new car and the car turns out to be a lemon. For further information on the California lemon law you are invited to visit www.lemonlawamerica.com.
