Lemon Law for California

Build Dates : 14 August, 2008 – 19 September, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V634000

Date Owner’s Notified: 2008-12-17
Date Received by ODI: 2008-12-02
Date Added to Database: 2008-12-03

Manufacturers Involved: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 08388

Component: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 77

Summary:
GM is recalling 77 my 2009 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, “windshield defrosting and defogging system.” the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning “HVAC” system may become inoperative. If this were to occur, the blower would not function properly and the mode selector would remain in the last known setting.

Consequence:
If the windshield began to fog or frost, there may not be enough airflow to clear the windshield, resulting in reduced driver visibility and a possible crash without prior warning.

Remedy:
Dealers will reprogram the HVAC control head module. The recall is expected to begin on December 17, 2008.

Lemon Law is the law you use when you buy a new vehicle and after some period of time you start to notice that there are problems with it. The law helps you to assert your right from the manufacturers and get a replacement or refund the vehicle.

When you define lemon law you should consider three important aspects: “substantial problem,” “reasonable number of attempts,” and “certain number of days.”

The Lemon Law varies from state to state. On the other hand, there are three sets of laws on defective vehicles and products, which apply all over the United States: state-specific lemon law, Uniform Commercial Code, and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

The state-specific lemon law is limited to the rules promulgated on each specific state. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) applies to all 50 states and enforces the consumer’s right to a refund or a replacement of a defective vehicle. The Uniform Commercial Code has no specific definition of a lemon, thus in this case the court has the right to decide whether the defective vehicle should be refunded or replaced or not.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law. It protects a consumer, who has made a purchase that costs more than $25.

There are a number of important facts to consider if you want to know whether your vehicle is a lemon or no. First the vehicles should pass three dealership checks before it can be declared as defective. It should be inoperable for at least 30 days and within 12,000 miles.