Free Buyer GuidesSouthern California Leased Car Lemon Law Attorney
How do California's lemon laws apply to leased vehicles?
Whether you own your vehicle or you leased it, your protections under the California Lemon Law are essentially the same.
How can you determine whether you will qualify under California's lemon law for relief?
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is applicable for the duration of the life of your warranty. For instance, if you got a three-year warranty (or 36,000 miles – whichever comes first), you can get Lemon Law relief, even if you don't discover problems until 30 months into your ownership. You must, however be able to demonstrate:
- That you leased the vehicle in California primarily for household, family, or personal use (exceptions for business vehicles can apply if the vehicle weighs less than 10,000 pounds).
- That there is a substantial defect that has recurred with the vehicle and that the manufacturer (or authorized repair facility) has been unable to repair it.
- That the manufacturer has been given a reasonable opportunity to repair such damage. (For defects that could cause serious injury or death, the manufacturer may have only two times to correct the problem. For other more standard problems (such as a bad transmission), the manufacturer may have four chances to repair the defect.
- The repairs began or occurred during the term of the manufacturer warranty.
What if the lease owner caused the damage by driving recklessly or failing to maintain the vehicle adequately?
Then the Lemon Law will not cover the problem.
What if the manufacturer says that the problem has gone away but it actually hasn't?
Manufacturers may dispute your case on a number of grounds. First, they may argue the defect that you are complaining about is not "substantial" and that it doesn't significantly affect the value, use, or safety of the vehicle. Second, the manufacturer can dispute the nature of repair – for instance, they may say that the repair has been completed even if you argue otherwise. The manufacturer can also say that the consumer complaint cannot be duplicated.
Can you file a lawsuit on your own under the California lemon law to get compensation for your lemon leased vehicle?
Yes. But for immediate assistance, please connect with a dedicated California lemon law firm, The Law Offices of Howard D. Silver at 1-866-49-LEMON. Our 95% plus success rate speaks for itself, and we've been fighting for consumers like you for more than two decades.