The California Lemon Law protects consumers from manufacturers who fail to honor their warranties after producing a defective product. Lemon law claims are especially important for large-ticket purchases such as new vehicles.
When you buy a new car, you anticipate years of driving ahead without the worry of breakdowns or unsafe defects. Unfortunately, an increasing number of vehicles have significant defects, including those that cause engine failure. How does the California lemon law process work for vehicles with engine failure?
A California Lemon Law attorney can help if your new vehicle has serious defects, like engine failure, ensuring the manufacturer honors your warranty.
What Types of Engine Problems Does the California Lemon Law Cover?
Engine failure is a serious problem that can leave you stranded in a dangerous roadside situation. If your vehicle has had engine failure and repeated failed repair attempts, you can file a lemon law claim against the manufacturer as long as the vehicle is still covered under its factory warranty. Common engine problems covered by the lemon law in California include the following:
- Oil leaks, oil burning, and high oil consumption
- Sudden engine shutdowns or stalling
- Engine overheating
- Engine misfires
- Check engine light illumination
- Acceleration problems or reduced engine power
- Engine knocking, vibration, or other unusual noises
The above engine failure problems may qualify a vehicle as a lemon under California’s lemon law because they impede the car’s usability and safety and reduce its value.
How Do I File a Lemon Law Claim for Engine Failure?
A successful lemon law claim begins with careful documentation showing repeated failed repair attempts. Typically, a car qualifies as a lemon if it’s had four or more repair attempts and the problem persists, or two or more repair attempts for a defect that’s a safety hazard. Also, a vehicle that’s spent 30 or more days in a repair shop may qualify as a lemon under the law. The days spent in a repair shop do not have to be consecutive.
What Does a California Lemon Law Claim for Engine Failure Do For Me?
A lemon law claim seeks a buyback of the defective vehicle’s original purchase price or a similar replacement vehicle of equal value. A buyback is a refund that pays off your car loan and returns your down payment, monthly payments, and the registration fee you paid for your new car. Under the California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is entitled to a mileage credit based on the vehicle’s usage before the first repair attempt and subtracts this credit from the refund.
How Can a California Lemon Law Lawyer Help Me?
A successful lemon law case requires careful navigation with an attorney on your side. Without legal representation, your case is handled by the manufacturer whose goals to protect their profits conflict with your objective for fair treatment. Contact Young & Young APC or reach out to us online to learn how a California lemon law lawyer can help you with your lemon law claim for engine failure.
