San Diego Lemon Law Lawyers

When you purchase a new vehicle, you expect reliability, safety, and peace of mind. A car should enhance your daily life, not disrupt it with repeated mechanical problems. Unfortunately, some vehicles leave the factory with defects that lead to constant repairs and ongoing frustration. When this happens, California’s Lemon Law may provide important legal protections for consumers in San Diego.

Dealing with a defective vehicle can be exhausting, especially when the same issue recurs despite multiple repair attempts. Time spent at repair shops, unexpected breakdowns, and safety concerns can quickly turn a major investment into a serious burden. If your vehicle has unresolved issues that affect its use, value, or safety, you may have the right to pursue a lemon law claim against the manufacturer.

Many drivers are unaware that California’s Lemon Law applies to vehicles other than brand-new ones. Used cars purchased from dealerships are often covered as well, particularly when they are sold with a warranty. If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or a dealer-provided warranty, you may qualify for protection under the law. This means that even if your car is not brand new, you still have options if repairs do not resolve the issue.

For San Diego residents, the Lemon Law can offer financial relief in several important ways. Compensation may include reimbursement for repair expenses, recovery of lost wages if your vehicle issues caused you to miss work, and coverage for medical costs if a defect contributed to an accident or injury. In some cases, the manufacturer may be required to replace the vehicle or issue a refund, depending on the circumstances of your claim.

At Heidari Law Group, we help San Diego consumers understand their rights under California Lemon Law and evaluate whether their situation meets the legal requirements for a claim. Every case is different, which is why careful documentation of repair attempts, service records, and warranty coverage is essential. Clear records can strengthen your position and help demonstrate that the manufacturer was given a fair opportunity to fix the defect.

Taking action under the Lemon Law is not just about recovering financial losses. It is also about holding manufacturers accountable and protecting your safety and the safety of others on the road. A vehicle that cannot be reliably repaired may pose serious risks, making legal guidance an important step toward resolution.

Who do you file a lemon law claim against in California?

Under California’s lemon laws, it’s crucial to first notify the vehicle manufacturer of any issues with your vehicle. This initial step is critical and should precede any lemon law claim. This proactive approach is recommended, as the manufacturer may seek to resolve the issue through a settlement, potentially avoiding the need for legal action.

If the dealership or manufacturer fails to provide a satisfactory resolution, you maintain the legal right to pursue a lemon law claim in court. In such cases, seeking guidance from an attorney with significant lemon law experience is strongly advised.

What cars fall under lemon laws in California?

California lemon laws cover vehicles sold with a warranty. This includes:

• Cars
• Vans
• Trucks
• Motorcycles

In San Diego, California, to qualify for lemon law protections, your vehicle must have a significant defect that materially affects its safety, performance, or value. Minor, easily fixable issues typically do not meet lemon law standards. Determining the severity of a defect can be intricate, and seeking advice from our San Diego attorneys is recommended. Navigating the legal requirements in San Diego without proper guidance can be overwhelming.

The defect should become apparent within the first 18 months of ownership or the first 18,000 miles driven, whichever occurs first, in San Diego. It’s crucial to inform the car manufacturer of the defect, and they must have attempted multiple repairs in San Diego. Given the complexities involved and the various criteria to consider, our San Diego attorneys are prepared to assist you. We are here to address your concerns at any time. At Heidari Law Group, we have a proven record of successfully handling numerous lemon law cases in San Diego.

Are only personal cars covered under the lemon law?

Lemon laws in San Diego typically apply to vehicles primarily used for personal, not business, purposes. This means that if you primarily use your vehicle for activities such as commuting to work or transporting your family, it’s likely covered by San Diego’s lemon laws.

Does a business vehicle fall under the lemon law?

It’s worth highlighting that lemon law protection can extend to business vehicles as well. If you’re a business owner in San Diego and suspect that a car you’ve purchased might be a lemon, don’t hesitate to contact our attorneys to discuss your case. Certain circumstances allow for business vehicles to qualify under the lemon law. For instance, if your business in San Diego has fewer than five registered vehicles under its name, you may be eligible to file a lemon law claim to seek compensation for any defects in the car.

Do you need a lemon law attorney in San Diego?

If you’re unsure whether you need a lemon law attorney in San Diego, our recommendation is clear: it’s strongly advised. While legal representation isn’t mandatory for filing a lemon law claim in court, enlisting a skilled San Diego Lemon Law attorney is strongly recommended. Handling a lemon car case can be complex, especially when navigating the legal system and dealing with other parties involved.

What will our attorneys do?

We are committed to seeking justice for our clients. While each attorney in San Diego may have their own unique approach, our San Diego lemon law attorneys are available around the clock to assist our clients. Here are some of the tasks our attorneys in San Diego will handle in your lemon law case:

• Assess Your Case: Our initial consultation in San Diego includes thorough questioning to identify the specific defect in your vehicle and evaluate the potential damages you may be eligible to claim.
• Court Representation: If your case proceeds to trial in San Diego, our trial attorneys are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to represent you effectively.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF VEHICLES THAT COULD BE A LEMON?

In California, including San Diego, virtually any vehicle can potentially qualify as a “lemon” if it meets specific legal criteria. We’ve observed a diverse range of makes and models falling into this category, from luxury brands like Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Range Rover, Volvo, and Lexus to popular manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Dodge, Fiat, Jaguar, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Subaru, Tesla, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, and General Motors. The key is not the brand or type of vehicle, but whether it fulfills the conditions set out in California’s lemon law.

What type of compensation could I receive for my lemon law claim in San Diego?

The compensation you may be entitled to will be contingent upon the specifics of your lemon law claim in San Diego and the nature of the defect in your vehicle. In your San Diego lemon law claim, potential types of compensation could include:

• Repair costs
• Refund of the vehicle purchase price
• Refund of the vehicle registration
• Refund of the vehicle license fees
• Refund of the vehicle purchase taxes
• Replacement of the vehicle
• Compensation for the lost value of the vehicle
• Attorney’s fees (these damages are only awarded when you win your lemon law claim)