The San Francisco Lemon Law attorneys at Young & Young APC exclusively handle California Lemon Law claims against every major automobile manufacturer. The Lemon Law attorneys at our San Francisco location are pleased to provide Lemon Law services in the San Francisco bay area and throughout all of California.
Our San Francisco Lemon Law experts have unparalleled experience handling California Lemon Law lawsuits. Our attorneys are well-versed in the complications that can arise when pursuing a Lemon Law claim. The San Francisco Lemon Law office of Young & Young APC is committed to providing the best Lemon Law representation in San Francisco and throughout the entire Bay Area. We take a personalized approach to secure the maximum recovery possible.
Why Choose Us?
Our San Francisco Lemon Law attorneys have the knowledge, dedication, and experience necessary to successfully obtain the compensation you deserve. The California Lemon Law attorneys at Young and Young APC offer a few key benefits:
Devoted to Lemon Law – Our firm is devoted exclusively to California Lemon Law claims and our team is prepared to fight for your Lemon Law refund or replacement vehicle.
Statewide Attorney Services – Our team provides California Lemon Law services to California residents in locations where quality legal representation may not be otherwise available. Our firm is prepared to litigate a case in California at any time.
California’s Leading Lemon Law Attorneys – Our Lemon Law attorneys know the ins and outs of the California Lemon Law and we are prepared to advocate for you.
Personal Legal Representation – Our Lemon Law attorneys prioritize the needs of our clients. One of our experienced San Francisco Lemon Law attorneys will personally handle your case from start to finish.
Successful Resolutions – Our firm is composed of an experienced team of Lemon Law experts. Our personalized approach obtains successful results for San Francisco Bay Area residents.
If you have purchased or leased a defective “lemon” vehicle in San Francisco, California, the Lemon Law attorneys at Young & Young APC are here to help. We encourage you to contact our San Francisco Bay Area Lemon Law office to find out what legal remedies are available to you.
Experienced San Francisco Bay Area Lemon Law Attorneys
The San Francisco Lemon Law office of Young & Young APC only prosecutes California Lemon Law claims. Our Lemon Law attorney’s exclusive dedication to California Lemon Law has been instrumental in consistently resolving claims at a 99% success rate. Young & Young APC has a reputation for being well-versed and knowledgeable in prosecuting Lemon Law claims among auto manufacturers and the attorneys that represent them. Manufacturers have attorneys that will fight every step of the way. We have extensive experience prosecuting claims against the firms that represent auto manufacturers, which has contributed to our ability to resolve claims quickly and efficiently.
Our firm provides Lemon Law services to residents throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding areas, including Alameda County, Contra Costa, Freemont, Marin, Napa, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, San Leandro, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Santa Cruz County, Santa Rosa, Silicon Valley, and throughout all of California.
The California Lemon Law
The California Lemon Law provides protection to San Francisco and Bay Area consumers who have purchased or leased a vehicle within the manufacturer’s original warranty period. Under the Lemon Law, also referred to as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, an automobile manufacturer has an obligation to refund the cost of the vehicle or replace the vehicle if it is considered a lemon.
A “lemon” vehicle is one that has a defect or problem that cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts or amount of time. If your vehicle has a defect or “nonconformity” that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, your vehicle may qualify. Once a vehicle qualifies under the California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is required to promptly repurchase or replace the vehicle.
The California Lemon Law states that a manufacturer must be given a “reasonable” number of opportunities to repair a vehicle before it qualifies as a “lemon vehicle.” Unlike most other states with Lemon Laws, in California, there is not a specific number of repair attempts that are necessary to qualify as “reasonable.” Instead, this is determined on a case-by-case basis according to the individual circumstances, such as the severity of the defect.
The Lemon Law Presumption
The California Lemon Law has a provision called the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (California Civil Code, Section 1793.22) – also known as the Lemon Law Presumption. According to this provision, there is a presumption period of either 18 months from the date that the vehicle was delivered or 18,000 vehicle miles driven. Within one of these parameters – whichever occurs first – a vehicle will be presumed a “lemon” if any of the following is true:
The vehicle has been out of service due to repairs for more than 30 total days (cumulative, not necessarily in a row).
The manufacturer’s authorized shop or dealership has made four or more attempts to repair a defect that is covered under the warranty and significantly impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.
The shop or dealership has made two or more attempts to repair a defect that is covered under the warranty and could potentially result in serious bodily injury or death.
If your situation meets these requirements, your vehicle is presumed to be a lemon in California. A presumed lemon means that the consumer does not have to provide any further proof or evidence that the vehicle has a defect and is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Within these parameters, it is presumed, and the auto manufacturer is legally obligated to buy back the vehicle or provide a replacement.
What Upfront Cost Do I Have to Pay to Hire a Lemon Law Attorney?
Our Lemon Law clients pay nothing out of pocket to hire our firm. We offer free Lemon Law case evaluations, document review, and attorney consultations. Unlike other firms, Young & Young APC does not charge any retainer fees. Under the California Lemon Law, auto manufacturers are required to pay the attorney’s fees and cost. We aim to make the Lemon Law process as easy and convenient as possible for our clients.
Most of our cases are settled without the need for an in-person meeting, but if a physical meeting is required, we will travel to your location at no cost to you. Our firm charges no hidden fees or cost and does not get paid until you do. Do not let the manufacturer take advantage of you, contact our Lemon Law attorneys for your free Lemon Law case evaluation.
How Many Repair Attempts Do I Need Before I Can File a Lemon Law Claim?
The California Lemon Law does not require a specific number of repair attempts. The California Lemon Law states that a manufacturer’s authorized dealership must be given a “reasonable” number of repair attempts. A “reasonable” number is determined on a case-by-case basis according to the severity of the defect. Generally, vehicles with safety-related defects will require fewer visits than those with less serious concerns. A vehicle may also qualify for a Lemon Law claim if it has been at the dealership for a cumulative total of over 30 days for repair (not necessarily all at one time).
Can I File a Lemon Law Claim if My Vehicle Has More Than 18,000 Miles?
Yes. You may still pursue a California Lemon Law claim if your vehicle has more than 18,000 miles of use. If your repair visits occurred within the manufacturer’s original warranty period, you may be protected by the California Lemon Law. In fact, most successful Lemon Law cases involve vehicle repair attempts that occur after the first 18,000 miles of use.
Can I File a Lemon Law Claim if My Repair Visits Did Not Occur Within the First 18 Months of Use?
Yes. You may still have a viable California Lemon Law claim if your repair visits did not occur within the first 18 months of use. The Lemon Law includes a rebuttable presumption that a vehicle qualifies if it is presented for a reasonable opportunity to repair within the first 18 months of use. However, you may still pursue a Lemon Law claim if your warranty repairs were performed outside of this initial 18 month presumption period.
Does the Lemon Law Apply to Leased Vehicles?
Yes. Leased vehicles are afforded protection under the California Lemon Law. The California Lemon Law applies to vehicles that are financed, leased or purchased outright. As long as the leased vehicle is still under a manufacturer’s warranty, the Lemon Law protections apply. If your leased vehicle qualifies for a buyback due to a defect, you may be eligible for a refund of your down payment or lease inception payment, any monthly lease payments you have made on the vehicle, collateral charges, expenses related to the defect, and payment of the vehicle’s remaining lease balance.
Does the Lemon Law Apply to Used Vehicles?
Yes. In California, many used, certified pre-owned and secondhand automobiles are still covered by the Lemon Law. The auto manufacturer may be responsible for repairs or vehicle replacement if the used car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or if the repairs were made within the warranty period. The warranty could be the original (from the manufacturer when the car was new) or a new or extended warranty that came with a certified vehicle, such as a car bought from a dealership.
What Are the Most Common Vehicle Defects?
Although many Lemon Law cases involve auto part defects that are potentially dangerous, such as brake failure or steering system failure, this is not a requirement. Any type of defect could make a vehicle qualify as a lemon, including:
An engine that won’t start
Fuel line defects and engine fires
Unexpected acceleration or a sticking gas pedal
Transmission slipping
Issues with locks or doors opening
Repeated check engine light warning
Malfunctioning seat belts or airbags
Air conditioning problems or mold growth
If you experience any type of vehicle defect, you may have the right to file a Lemon Law claim in San Francisco. If so, you may qualify for a remedy such as free vehicle replacement or a cash settlement.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lemon Law Case in California?
In California, state law gives consumers no more than four years to file Lemon Law claims. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and it only has limited exceptions. Typically, if a case is filed late, the consumer will be barred from the protections of the Lemon Law and unable to collect a refund or replacement. The clock starts ticking on the date that the consumer discovers or should have discovered that the vehicle is a lemon through reasonable diligence.
What Is Lemon Law Arbitration?
Arbitration is a less formal type of dispute resolution than a court trial. It uses an arbitrator, or a neutral third party, to settle a Lemon Law dispute. During arbitration, the consumer (or consumer’s attorney) and the auto manufacturer’s legal representative meet with an arbitrator to discuss the issue. The arbitrator will listen to testimony and evidence from both sides.
Then, the arbitrator will attempt to resolve the dispute, either by helping the parties come to a settlement or – with binding arbitration – settling the dispute for the parties. Under California Lemon Law, arbitration is not required. If you go through arbitration and your claim is denied, you can still pursue a California Lemon Law claim.
How Much Is My “Lemon” Worth?
If your vehicle qualifies under the California Lemon Law, you are entitled to one of the following: a refund of all amounts paid or payable for the purchase or lease of your vehicle (less a statutory mileage offset or “good use” credit for miles driven before the first repair attempt); a replacement vehicle of the same MSRP value as your defective vehicle; or a cash settlement. It is up to you as the consumer to request your desired resolution. You are also entitled to compensation for any out-of-pocket costs that came with the case, such as attorney’s fees, court costs, rental car costs, repairs, etc.
What Should I Do if I Have a Lemon?
If you experience problems with your new or used vehicle in San Francisco and believe you have a lemon, take the following steps to successfully file a Lemon Law claim:
If your warranty or owner’s manual requires it, notify the manufacturer of the issue in writing.
Take your vehicle to a dealership or repair shop that is authorized by the vehicle manufacturer.
Accurately describe your concerns and make sure they are entered properly on the repair report.
Keep all documentation, including repair records and correspondence from the manufacturer.
Keep copies of receipts for expenses connected to the issue, such as for any repairs.
Notify the manufacturer when the defect is still not repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
Choose the resolution you desire and communicate this to the manufacturing company.
Contact an attorney if you encounter problems being compensated according to your rights under the California Lemon Law.
Hiring an experienced attorney from the beginning of your case can ensure that you take the correct steps, as well as increase the odds of getting the case results that you deserve.
About the San Francisco Bay Area
The California Lemon Law attorneys at Young & Young APC represent consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles in the San Francisco Bay area and throughout all of California. The “Bay Area” consists of nine counties, which include: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has reported that over one million automotive vehicles are registered in Alameda County alone. These large numbers are minor in comparison to the total number of vehicles registered throughout the entire San Francisco Bay Area.
If you are one of the millions of residents living in the San Francisco Bay area, you understand the importance of having a reliable vehicle. Do not get stuck with a lemon. Call our San Francisco Bay Area Lemon Law attorneys today and find out what solutions are available to you.
GET A FREE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW CASE EVALUATION
For a free initial case evaluation and consultation with one of our California lemon law lawyers, call (833) 536-6600 (toll-free), fax (844) 572-7150, or fill out our free California lemon law case evaluation form below.
