What Vehicles Does Lemon Law Cover? 

People generally do not expect to have problems with their new or used vehicle. Purchasing or leasing a vehicle that ends up defective and requires constant repairs can be frustrating and disappointing. Fortunately, you could take advantage of lemon law protections if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon.  

“What vehicles does lemon law cover?” you may wonder. To understand and navigate the complexities of a lemon law claim, speak with a knowledgeable attorney. At Law Offices of Kevin Faulk, our seasoned and results-driven lemon law attorney is dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers who have been stuck with a lemon. With an office in Sunnyvale, California, our law firm handles lemon law claims throughout the state of California.  

Lemon Law Protections  

Lemon law in California protects consumers whose vehicles are defective and cannot be repaired in a reasonable number of attempts or a reasonable amount of time. The law requires the manufacturer to undertake a “reasonable” number of repair attempts for a vehicle to be covered by California’s lemon law protections.  

According to the official website of the California State Department Of Justice, lemon law protections apply to most new vehicles that are purchased or leased in the state of California and are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.  

Lemon law is meant to protect consumers who buy or lease new or used vehicles under the manufacturer’s warranty. Under California’s lemon law, a consumer is entitled to a comparable replacement or a refund if their vehicle qualifies as a lemon. Lemon law protections in California apply to many types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, and RVs.  

What Vehicles Are Covered in California?  

In order to determine if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you need to understand what vehicles are covered by California’s lemon law protections:  

• All new vehicles are covered 

• All used and leased vehicles are covered as long as they are still under the manufacturer’s warranty  

• New and used vehicles purchased for family, household, and personal use are also covered 

• Vehicles used for business purposes are covered as long as the gross weight does not exceed 10,000 pounds and the business does not have more than five registered vehicles 

If the vehicle’s warranty extends beyond 18 months, a vehicle is covered by lemon law protections for the entire duration of the warranty period. Generally, California’s lemon law protections do not apply to vehicles with an expired warranty and vehicles that were purchased or leased outside of the state.  

What Qualifies as a Lemon in California?  

Your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if the following criteria are met: 

1. You noticed the problem with your vehicle during the manufacturer's warranty period;  

2. A reasonable number of repair attempts have been made to fix the problem;  

3. The problem impairs the value, safety, or use of the vehicle; and 

4. The problem was not the result of unauthorized modifications, abuse, or neglect.  

If your situation meets the above-mentioned criteria, you may be able to assert your rights under California’s lemon law. When a vehicle is deemed a lemon, the manufacturer will be required to refund the purchase costs of the vehicle or provide a replacement vehicle.  

Under California law, consumers have a right to choose between a refund and replacement. The manufacturer cannot force consumers to accept a replacement if they want to obtain a refund.  

Why Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney?  

Proving that your vehicle qualifies as a lemon and that you are entitled to lemon law protections can be challenging, especially if you do not have a skilled attorney on your side. The manufacturer may raise a defense to challenge your lemon law claim.  

That is why you will need to get legal guidance from an experienced lemon law attorney to help you get the most out of your claim. An attorney will gather evidence to support your lemon law claim and seek to prove that your vehicle is covered in California. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side is important to ensure that you receive adequate compensation for the expenses and frustration you have endured.  

How Law Offices of Kevin Faulk Can Help  

If you have problems with your vehicle and think that your vehicle may be covered under the lemon law, contact Law Offices of Kevin Faulk. Our lemon law attorney in Sunnyvale, California, can review the details of your case and help you understand if you are entitled to a refund or replacement. Reach out today so we can protect your rights and help you navigate the legal process.