Lemon Law for California

Build Dates : May 16, 2007 - June 25, 2007

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 07V270000

Date Owner’s Notified: 2007-06-22
Date Received by ODI: 2007-06-26
Date Added to Database: 2007-06-26

Manufacturers Involved: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 07S54

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 8800

Summary:

On certain passenger vehicles, a front wheel bearing and hub assembly may fracture due to improper heat treatment.

Consequence:

If a hub fractures, it may potentially detach from the wheel knuckle, resulting in the wheel being retained only by the brake caliper assembly. As a result, the wheel may separate from the vehicle potentially resulting in a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies and replace them free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2007.

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act was created to protect consumers who’ve purchased new motor vehicles from losing money on a faulty product. The Song-Beverly states that in case a manufacturer is unable to repair your motor vehicle, he is required by law to either repair the vehicle or give you your money back.  The refund includes the cost of any manufacturer-installed components.

This law protects you for the total duration of the warranty of a vehicle. California’s Lemon Law states that a manufacturer has had a reasonable number of repair attempts in case a serious car issue has been subject to repair to or more times, or if the same problem has been addressed four or more times and the owner has contacted the manufacturer at least once directly, or if the vehicle is out of service due to repairs for more than thirty days since the vehicle was delivered.

The CA Lemon Law is more of a guideline than anything else. While pursuing a claim under the California Lemon Law, remember that the law does not apply if the car defect was caused by abuse or misuse of the vehicle. Also, make sure to pursue legal action as soon as the problem becomes clear. Depending on the case, the Lemon Law or parts of it might extend to certified pre-owned vehicles that are sold with their own warranties and terms.

Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act was accepted for protecting buyers from defective new motor vehicle purchases. The act conveys that a manufacturer must replace a defective car or give buyers a full refund for the price of the original purchase if the manufacturer has been unable to fix the problem after a “reasonable number of repair attempts”.

The CA Lemon Law protects vehicle purchasers for as long as their new car warranty’s last. As for the issue of defining “reasonable number”, the law gives more of a general guideline than a strictly concrete set of rules and regulations. It is often up to the courts to decide whether a case falls under the Lemon Law statutes. Lemon Law states that manufactures have had the chance of performing a reasonable number of repairs if a serious problem still persists even after 2 or more repair attempts. Factors like whether or not the purchaser contacted the manufacturer directly can affect the outcome of a case.

The law also states that if a vehicle is out of service for more than thirty days because of repairs, the owner is entitled to a refund or replacement by the manufacturer. The CA Lemon Law nuances make many cases rather complex and involved. This is why it is right to consult with your attorney before pursuing a particular course of legal action in the case of a lemon purchase. The best time to look into filing a lemon law claim is as soon as the problem becomes obvious.

Build Dates : August 01, 2006 - November 30, 2006

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V570000

Date Owner’s Notified: 2008-11-20
Date Received by ODI: 2008-10-29
Date Added to Database: 2008-10-29

Manufacturers Involved: ECLIPSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: ECLIPSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number:

Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 98

Summary:

Eclipse RV is recalling 98 my 2007 attitude recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Consequence:

Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Remedy:

Eclipse RV will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators. Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle inc. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments.

CA lemon law’s initial provision concerns the Song-Beverly entitlement. Different parts cover what is considered a reasonable amount of repairs, who is covered, and how to determine if a car is new. f you have a vehicle that’s giving you trouble, and you think it may qualify under the CA lemon law, consider consulting with a lawyer, to help give you a better understanding of the law’s provisions, and whether any of them apply to your vehicle.

In case you have concerns regarding a used vehicle you purchased in California and which provisions of the law relating to used cars may apply to your situation, contacting an attorney to help determine whether your vehicle is covered under any section of the CA lemon law is wise. While you might have coverage, if a lawyer doesn’t explain this legislation, you might not be aware of it. A lot of people have looked over the provision regarding used vehicles and were more baffled than ever.

Another confusing section is the part covering the amount of repairs required to consider a car as a lemon. A car has to have needed a certain number of repairs before it can be classified as a lemon and each vehicle has its own number of repairs. Here too, a lawyer can be quite helpful for figuring out if your car falls under the terms of this provision.

The Song-Beverly provision, which is the foundation of the lemon law, is the source of a lot of confusion in this legislation. The language used in the provision makes it seem like it would benefit all parties, however, it doesn’t. If you begin to read about California lemon laws and find any section at all difficult to understand, make sure to contact an attorney who deals with cases of this nature. A lawyer will be able to shed light on any confusion you have regarding the CA lemon law and also be able to tell you whether the vehicle you’re having trouble with will be considered a “lemon” or not.

Build Dates : September 03, 2008 - September 16, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V642000

Date Owner’s Notified: 2009-02-09
Date Received by ODI: 2008-12-05
Date Added to Database: 2008-12-05

Manufacturers Involved: CHRYSLER LLC
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Manufacturer Campaign Number: H41

Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 175

Summary:

Chrysler is recalling 175 my 2009 Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The tire pressure monitor (tpm) sensors may not transmit the actual tire pressure. This could result in the driver not being aware of low tire pressure.

Consequence:

Operation of the vehicle with low tire pressure could result in tire damage and cause a crash without warning.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the tpm sensors. The recall is expected to begin on February 9, 2009.

The Lemon Law definition is when your vehicle that gives you grave problems straight after you purchase it. The defect occurs inside a certain time or mileage period, often twelve thousand miles or one year. Lemon Law refers to the statement from the goverment. A car that has producing defects or requires steady repairs after purchase and if the vehicle is under the period of warranty, then the car is termed as a lemon.

If any of these buyer goods is found to be defective then the consumer is titled for either cash back, replacement or a money settlement. The law can be consulted with a Lemon law solicitor as assorted states have different lemon laws. Some states have a lemon law for only the autos but some also include other patron durables.

Usually three or more attempts in row over a short period of time are needed for any vehicle to be called as lemon. Lemon law is also valid to vehicles that have been resold and are still under warranty.

One should study certain conditions of the car before chasing a lemon law suit, to make absolutely sure whether a vehicle is a lemon or not . Number of attempts for repair should also be considered before readying a lemon law suit. A written notice should also be issued to the maker prior to a lemon law suit.

The Lemon law imposed for protecting purchasers from the lemon vehicles is Magnuson-Moss warranty Act. This law makes sure that any warranty for goods above $15 should be clearly expressed on the goods and should be clear and easy to understand.

Build Dates : December 19, 2007 - March 12, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V295000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20080721
Date Received by ODI: 20080702
Date Added to Databse: 20080708

Manufacturer’s Involved: CHRYSLER LLC
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: CHRYSLER LLC
Manufacturer Campaign Number: H23

Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 5509

Summary:

Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, Dodge Magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.

Consequence:

This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on July 21, 2008.

Lemon laws differ from state to state. The main lemon law purpose is to protect you, as a consumer, from either defective products or services that do not deliver as promised or advertised. CA lemon law cases are those that pertain to newly purchased vehicles that are either defective or experiencing recurring problems that can not be repaired even after you or the manufacturer has attempted to fix the problem numerous times.

In general, you must exert some effort to have the defect repaired multiple times as a basic requirement. You must also report the problem directly to the manufacturer of your vehicle and not just to the dealer from whom you purchased the car. If the problem persists after you and the manufacturer have made several attempts to fix it, the vehicle can be considered a lemon. You must document all the steps taken to remedy the problem, whether they were made by you or the manufacturer. But filing of the case should also fall under a certain period of time upon purchase of the vehicle, or else you may forfeit any claim that comes with filing for the case. The lemon law also protects you as a consumer from any intimidation you may encounter from the manufacturer if they try to make you to withdraw the complaints you made about your defective property.

Since lemon laws differ in each state, it is best to hire an expert attorney to proceed with your case. Given the differences in state lemon laws, it is wise to look for an attorney that is familiar with your local state lemon law. A good lawyer will be able to obtain either a full refund or a replacement for your vehicle. Or, in cases where, for whatever reason, you are not covered by the lemon law, he will still be able to help you get some substantial compensation.