After purchasing a new car, you anticipate years of trouble-free, dependable driving. Unfortunately, sometimes expectation turns to disappointment when your new car spends more time in the repair shop than on the road. Transmission problems are particularly distressing because a malfunctioning transmission can cause permanent damage to the vehicle.
Fortunately, California has robust protections in place for consumers, including the California Lemon Law. Make sure to speak with an experienced California Lemon Lawyer for legal guidance.
Common Transmission Problems In California Lemon Law Claims
Transmission defects are a common mechanical issue named in California Lemon Law claims due to their adverse impact on a vehicle’s value, usability, and safety. Common transmission problems caused by factory defects include the following:
- Slipping gears
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Transmission fluid overheating or burning, causing a strong odor
- Gear-shifting issues such as difficulty changing gears or random inappropriate gear shifting while driving
- Grinding or clunking noises during transmission shifting
- Sudden engine revving without changing speed
- Drops in power when driving uphill
The above faults often trigger transmission warning lights on a vehicle’s dashboard.
First, Determine Whether Your Vehicle Qualifies for a California Lemon Law Claim
A vehicle with transmission issues qualifies for a lemon law claim in California if it’s still under factory warranty and meets the following pre-requisites:
- It’s undergone four or more failed repair attempts for the transmission problem
- It has undergone two or more failed repair attempts if the transmission problem is a safety hazard, such as causing smoke or fire, failure to shift while driving, or shifting into neutral while driving
- The car has spent 30 or more cummulative days in a repair shop
In addition, if the defect appeared within the first 18 months of ownership or during the first 18,000 miles traveled, it may qualify for a lemon law claim even if it only has one repair attempt that lasts longer than 30 days.
Before filing a claim, gather all relevant documents, such as your manufacturer’s warranty and all repair invoices.
How Do I File a California Lemon Law Claim for a Defective Transmission?
If you aren’t certain if your car’s transmission defect qualifies for a lemon law claim in California, a Los Angeles lemon law lawyer can evaluate the merits of your case during a free consultation.
After gathering all repair documentation and your purchase or lease contract, the following process occurs in a lemon law claim:
- Your attorney will prepare and file all necessary documents to initiate your claim against the manufacturer to obtain legal remedies such as a cash settlement, refund or replacement vehicle of equal value
- Your attorney obtains documents and information from the manufacturer to strengthen your case and assertively prosecutes your case to negotiate a resolution that aligns with your goals
How Can a California Lemon Law Lawyer Help My Case?
When a car manufacturer sells a defective vehicle, they are rarely in a hurry to make things right. They may insist indefinitely that you keep sending your vehicle back to the dealership for repeated repairs.
Instead of leaving such a critical economic and safety issue in the hands of powerful vehicle manufacturers who protect their profits at your expense, contact Young & Young, APC for representation that achieves results through prompt action and meticulous attention to filing details, with a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome in your California Lemon Law claim.
