LawSmart.com

What Am I Entitled To Under The California Lemon Law?

If you financed or leased your vehicle, you are entitled to get back your down payment (or lease inception fee), government fees, tradein equity, license fees and all the monthly payments you have made up to the date of settlement. You may also be entitled to towing reimbursement, as well as rental car expenses you personally paid during your warranty repair visits. The manufacturer pays off the existing loan (or lease), you turn the vehicle back in to the car dealership, and you get your Lemon Law refund check. This is known as a vehicle repurchase. In certain circumstances you may also elect to take a replacement vehicle in lieu of a repurchase. This is known as an exchange of collateral. Your loan remains the same, and you simply swap your present vehicle for a new one with the same equipment. Leased vehicles are treated in the same way.

In any Lemon Law action, the manufacturer is entitled to an offset for mileage based on the odometer reading at the first time you had your vehicle repaired for a recurring problem. There is a specific formula for calculating this offset, which you can discuss with your attorney.

Other California Lemon Law FAQs

Q: What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?
A: The following table summarizes what is covered, how many times the vehicle has to be repaired for the same defect and the warranty period. Vehicles Covered Repair … More
Q: Am I Required To Go Through Arbitration Before Pursuing A Lemon Law Claim?
A: No. The California Lemon Law does not require the consumer to participate in arbitration that may be offered by the vehicle manufacturer in order to pursue a Lemon Law …
Q: Am I Required To Notify The Vehicle Manufacturer And Give Them A Opportunity To Repair A Problem Before Pursuing A Lemon Law Cla
A: No. So long as the manufacturer`s authorized warranty repair facility has had a reasonable number of opportunities to repair a warranty problem, the manufacturer need … More
Q: Does The Lemon Law Apply To Vehicles That Are Older Than One Or Two Years?
A: Yes. As long as the vehicle is having warranty problems, the Lemon Law potentially can apply no matter hold old the vehicle is. The Lemon Law may also apply to a … More
Q: Does The Lemon Law Apply To Vehicle That Have In Excess Of 12,000 Miles, Or 12 Months?
A: Yes. As long as the vehicle is having warranty problems, the Lemon Law may apply no matter what the odometer reading is on the vehicle.
Q: Is There A Specific Number Of Repair Attempts That Must Be Completed In Order To Have A Valid Lemon Law Claim?
A: No. There must be a reasonable number of repair attempts. The definition of what constitutes a reasonable number of repair attempts will vary given the vehicles … More
Q: Does The Lemon Law Apply Only To Passenger Cars?
A: No. The Lemon Law applies not only to passenger cars, but also to trucks, SUV`s, vans, motorcycles, and all consumer goods that are covered by a manufacturers warranty … More
Q: Does The Lemon Law Apply To Vehicles That Are Purchased Used?
A: Yes. The Lemon Law can apply to a used vehicle. The vehicle must be covered by a warranty.
Q: Does The Lemon Law Apply To Minor Defects, Or Only Significant Defects?
A: The SongBeverly Act applies to defects which constitute a substantial impairment to the use, value or safety of the vehicle to the owner or lessee. Therefore, … More
Q: California Certified Arbitration Programs
A: In California, some manufactureres voluntarily seek certification of their arbitration programs from the Department of Consumer Affairs Arbitration Review Program. … More

Lemon Law Sub-categories

Lemon Law Attorney