Lemon Law for California

Build Dates: November 20, 2009 -March 3, 2010
Vehicle Make/Model: Suzuki / Equator
Model Years: 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V213000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 582

Summary:
Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2010 equator pickup trucks manufactured from November 20, 2009 through March 3, 2010. The lower control link bushing collars, located in the front suspension, may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications. If a collar weld separates, it may change the wheel alignment, potentially allowing the vehicle handling characteristics to deteriorate.

Consequence:
This could cause the driver to have difficulty controlling the vehicle which could result in a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace, one or both lower control links on the vehicle free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before May 24, 2010.

Chrysler owners are currently facing a massive recall campaign. The main reason for the recall is the sticking accelerator pedals. Almost 35,000 2007 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass defective cars are involved in the recall. The accelerator pedals were produced by CTS Corporation, which makes the similar parts for Toyota.

“Under certain conditions the pedal may not immediately return to its idle position,” Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa “Some vehicles have been built with accelerator pedal pivot bushings that may dislodge, causing the pedal to slowly return under limited operating conditions”.

The NHTSA started an investigation after five complaints from consumers that were telling the pedals got stuck while driving. No accidents or injuries caused by the defect were reported. Chrysler informed NHTSA that the recalled cars have an electronic Throttle control technology that aims to stop the vehicle when both the accelerator and brake are applied.

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers about the repairs, which will be made free of charge. The recall is expected to start later in June.

Getting rid of a lemon is not easy but it is possible. According to the California Lemon Law you can ask for a refund or a replacement in case you won the lemon law case. Manufacturers sometime buyback lemon cars, lemon motorcycles and lemon trucks. Have you ever though what happens to a lemon vehicle after the manufacturer buy-back? Your neighbor or friend might end up owning it without even knowing it used to be a lemon.

When a manufacturer buys back, some states require it to change the title of the car to “Lemon Law Buyback”. But what happens sometimes is that manufacturers settle the matters with a consumer therefore avoiding the rename or simply, they take the car to a state with less strict laws about rebranding. This is called lemon laundering.

However, most of the states require that the buyer is informed about the car being a lemon law buyback.

California Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to give information about the

1. the title

2. nonconformities due to which the car was bought back by the manufacturer

3. one year warranty

To avoid buying a laundered lemon, try to check the history of the title.

In case you bought a laundered lemon and found that out, contact a California lemon law attorney to seek assistance. We would be eager to help residents of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and Sherman oaks with their lemon law cases.

After the manufacturer lemon buyback, the defective vehicle may be fixed and sent to the car market again. If you currently have no other option but to buy a car that has been a lemon previously, keep in mind the following points.

1.     The car should be registered under the name of the manufacturer before the resale

2.     The title of the car should clearly indicate that it is a “Lemon Law Buyback”. The vehicle should have a Lemon Law Buyback sticker

3.     The dealer should give you a written notice for your signature that will inform you that the car you intend to buy is a lemon law buyback. It should contain the following statement

“THIS VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY ITS MANUFACTURER DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE PURSUANT TO CONSUMER WARRANTY LAWS. THE TITLE TO THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY BRANDED WITH THE NOTATION “LEMON LAW BUYBACK”.

4.     The dealer should give you information about

• Year, make, model, and VIN.
• The title of the vehicle
• All nonconformities that were reported by the primer buyer or lessee of the vehicle.
• Any repairs made in an attempt to correct nonconformities

5.     You should be given copies of all documents you signed.

6.     The car should have a one year warranty.

If you bough a vehicle that showed a clean title but turned out to be a lemon buyback, contact your dealer. You might be a victim of a fraud.

However, sometimes even the dealers might not know the car is a buyback. In both cases, you might be eligible for compensation.

Contact a California Lemon Law Attorney for more information and for a free case evaluation.

Build Dates: N/A
Vehicle Make/Model: Lamborghini/ Murcielago, Lamborghini/ Murcielago Raodster
Model Years: 2007-2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V215000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 428

Summary:
Lamborghini is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Murcielago and Murcielago roadster vehicles. the welds holding the fuel pump support inside the fuel tank could detach. This situation may result in a fuel leak.

Consequence:
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. the safety recall is expected to begin during june 2010.

A lot of car owners or people who are planning to buy a used car are asking whether the California Lemon Law can help them protect their rights or not if the vehicle turns out to be defective.

The California Lemon Law provisions apply to new vehicles. However used cars that are under express written warranty can qualify as well. Therefore some general rules may apply to motorcycles, motor homes, used vehicles sold under the dealer’s express written warranty, “lemon” vehicles repurchased by the manufacturer and sold to consumers, and vehicles sold with a service contract.

According to California law, the first time that a lemon is resold, it must have a one-year factory warranty. The law requires as well that the car has a “lemon law buyback” title and a “lemon” sticker. The cars cannot be sold “as is”. In case you were sold a lemon illegally “as is”, you still have rights under the California Lemon Law.

The law covers cars that were purchased for personal, family or household but not commercial use.

If you think you were sold a lemon vehicle, do not hesitate to contact our law firm specializing in California Lemon Law. We offer our services in Los Angeles area, Sherman Oaks, Glendale and Burbank. To have your case evaluated for free, call us toll free 866.975.3666.

We would be happy to share our expertise in California Lemon Law and help you obtain your rights.

Build Dates: N/A
Vehicle Make/Model: CHRYSLER / 300, DODGE / CHALLENGER, DODGE / CHARGER, DODGE / RAM, JEEP / COMMANDER, JEEP / GRAND CHEROKEE
Model Years: 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V200000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 40131

Summary:
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch.

Consequence:
The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (WIN module) prior to placing the shifter in park. This could result in the potential for unintended vehicle movement and could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during july 2010.

Build Dates: August 20, 2009 - May 13, 2010
Vehicle Make/Model: LEXUS LS460, LEXUS LS460L, LEXUS LS600H, LEXUS LS600HL
Model Years: 2009-2010, 2009-2010, 2010, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V218000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3800

Summary:
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Lexus LS460 and LS600 vehicles manufactured from August 20, 2009 through May 13, 2010. A programming change of the steering control ECU for the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) system can cause improper activation of the steering system protection logic designed to protect the system when larger than normal steering inputs are applied at a fully turned position.

Consequence:
Improper activation of the steering system protection logic can cause the steering wheel to become off-centered up to 90 degrees. This may occur after the driver has fully turned the steering wheel in one direction then quickly attempts to turn it back to the center position. Should this occur while driving, the risk of a crash is increased.

Remedy:
Toyota will notify owners and Lexus dealers will replace the steering control ECU free of charge. Toyota has not determined when the safety recall is expected to begin.

A well-written repair log is your way to show how you took care of your Automobile, Truck, Motorcycle or RV. It is one of the crucial sources of information when you file your Lemon Law Claim.
You will need to provide information about the repair attempts and the amount of days your car stayed in-shop. If you have filled in the repair log correctly, it should clearly state the dates, mileage, the problems and the actions the dealers took.
In case of a Lemon Law Arbitration, this will get good points to you and make the situation more clear to the judge.
To start filling in the Summary of repair and maintenance of your vehicle, you may use a template provided here.
A well-written repair log should have the following information:
2. The model of the vehicle
3. Dates. You need to write the date your vehicle was purchased and all the dealership in and out dates.
4. Mileage. You need to mention the primary mileage of the car and the in and out odometer readings every time you took your car to the shop
5. Name of the dealer repair shop
6. Repair order number
7. The description of the problem/service requested
8. The description of the work performed
9. Charge. Write the price you paid for the service
Make sure you list all details. Indicate if the service you requested was done or not.
Remember that the repair log will make it easier for the California Lemon Law Attorney to protect your rights and get your money back.

Build Dates: April 7-April 13, 2010
Vehicle Make/Model: Nissan/Altima
Model Years: 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V193000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component: STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 113

Summary:
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 Altima vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2010 through April 13, 2010. Some of the front side member assembly components may not have been welded to specification due to a tool maintenance error.

Consequence:
If several structural welds are out of specification on a single vehicle, it may have an effect on the vehicle crash performance.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and if necessary repair free of charge. the manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.