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When you buy a new or used vehicle, the last thing you expect is for it to be riddled with defects. Unfortunately, many consumers in California face the frustration of purchasing a car that spends more time in the repair shop than on the road. These vehicles are often referred to as "lemons."

Understanding the actions or defects that can void your car warranty is essential for all vehicle owners to know. A warranty is a contract between you and the automaker or dealership, which promises to take care of or compensate you for any manufacturer defects for a specified period.

What? You don't know how to go about filing a lemon law claim? Don't worry, you're not alone. Also, how would you know, unless you're a legal or automotive professional, or unless you've navigated the process numerous times before?

If you're in California, the statute of limitations for filing a lemon law claim is four years. That means that you have four years from the time you encounter warrantable issues with your vehicle to file a claim against the dealership or manufacturer.

We get it, there's nothing more frustrating than investing your hard-earned money into a new car, only to find out it's defective. The constant trips to the repair shop, the safety concerns, and the overall disappointment can be overwhelming. But don't worry, you're not alone. Many consumers face this issue and that's where the Lemon Law comes in.

According to the Auto Lemon Index, in California from 2018 to 2021, there were 7.6 million new car registrations, and 34,397 lemon law cases filed, representing 0.45 percent of all new vehicles sold. A lemon is a car that cannot be operated due to one or more safety defects.

Throughout your lifetime, you’ll likely own several cars. Some of them you may purchase new, some used, and some you may only have for a few years. Sometimes you may own what you think is a new, “good” car when in fact, it turns out to be a lemon. But what really is a “lemon” in the eyes of the law? And what should you do if you think you have a “lemon” on your hands?

If you took a car loan for a vehicle that turned out to be a lemon, you might have many questions regarding your loan obligations. Are you still responsible for paying the loan or do the payments freeze during a lemon law case?

It’s common for people to refer to a car that frequently breaks down as a “lemon,” but the legal definition of a “lemon” car is much more narrowly focused. In fact, according to a report put out by the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), fewer than one-half of one percent of vehicles end up being part of a lemon law claim. Still, if you find yourself in the unlucky position of having purchased a defective vehicle, it’s in your best interest to obtain legal counsel for a lemon law claim to ensure you get the compensation you’re due.