California Jeep Lemon Law Attorney

California Jeep Lemon Law Lawyer

Originally created as a military vehicle, Jeep is known for its rugged durability and outdoor adventure capabilities. However, if you have recently purchased a defective Jeep or a “lemon,” the financial cost of upkeep and daily maintenance can be extraordinary. Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect your consumer rights. A California Jeep Lemon Law attorney can help you understand these rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you own or lease a Jeep vehicle that has gone through several repairs due to warranty defects and no real resolution has been reached, a California Lemon Law attorney can assist you in navigating the complex legal process involved in these types of claims. If you find that you’ve wasted precious time and money on a vehicle that is still suffering from a multitude of issues, it is time to seek the relief you are entitled to.

The Basics of California Lemon Law

Under the California Lemon Law, there is no exact test to determine if your Jeep is a lemon. However, there are several elements that can be taken into consideration to ascertain if it qualifies or not.

First, the vehicle must suffer a defect that is deemed significant, meaning that it reduces the Jeep’s value, use, or safety. Following this, the defect, or defects, must persist even after the dealership has had a reasonable number of opportunities to address said defect.

There is no set number that is considered “reasonable” under the California Lemon Law. However, there are guidelines established that may help determine when you’ve reached a “reasonable” number of repair attempts and when it might be time to seek compensation. According to the CLL, these guidelines are as follows:

• The car manufacturer or dealership has not been able to repair the issue after several attempts.
• The flaws of the vehicle could result in death or serious bodily injury if driven after two of these attempts.
• The vehicle has been in the shop for repairs lasting longer than thirty days for issues covered by the warranty.

Why Chose Lemon Law Pro

With over two decades of combined experience, the team at Lemon Law Pro is passionate about fighting for the justice our statewide clients deserve in their lemon law claims. We have handled thousands of successful cases and strive to provide excellence in our care and legal counsel. We understand that owning an unsafe, unreliable vehicle can be a major disruption in an individual’s life, not to mention a waste of time and finances.

At Lemon Law Pro, we can offer the following services, free of charge, in order to do everything we can to ensure a positive outcome:

• Explain your consumer rights and determine the correct course of action to take in order to secure proper compensation.
• Assist in gathering and organizing the necessary documentation.
• Negotiate with the car company and their legal counsel to reach your desired settlement.
• Represent you in trial if necessary.

Determining if Your Jeep Qualifies as a Lemon

In basic terms, a lemon is any vehicle, no matter the make and model, that suffers a chronic issue that requires multiple repairs, and yet the problem still remains. This issue is any defect that prevents the driver from operating it in the way it was intended to be driven. To be considered a lemon, it can also have a defect that diminishes the vehicle’s value.

It is important to keep in mind that the problem does not have to be only safety-related in order to qualify as a lemon. Substantial problems can include:

• the brakes
• the engine
• the steering system
• the suspension
• the windows
• the transmission
• the doors
• the back-up cameras
• any water leaks
• the electrical system
• the air conditioning or heating system

It also is important to remember that your Jeep does not have to be brand new to be considered still under warranty. Even a new-to-you or used vehicle can be considered a lemon. An experienced lemon law attorney can analyze the details of your case, determine how your vehicle qualifies, and identify what type of compensation to pursue.

Common Jeep Defects

Unfortunately, Jeeps have their own fair share of defects. The main two that affect Jeep vehicles are:

• Water Leaks: The leak issues in many Jeep models have become a significant concern for many drivers over recent years. These leaks can occur in nearly every location where water can reach the main cab. These can add to allergens that bother the driver or passengers of the vehicle. It is also linked to issues with the electrical system and other mechanical problems.
• The “Death Wobble”: Common enough that it has earned its own title, the infamous Jeep “death wobble” refers to a mechanical issue that can arise in Jeeps caused by misaligned, loose, or damaged parts in the suspension or steering system. When navigating difficult terrain and trying to get your Jeep up to speed, you can experience a shaking or wobbling effect.There have even been instances where drivers lose control of their vehicles due to this defect. An issue in any of the following parts, or a combination thereof, can result in the death wobble
  • Spark plugs
  • Tire rods
  • Control arms
  • Ball joints
  • Tire pressure sensors
  • Wheel bearings
  • Steering stabilizers

Other common issues include:

• Fire risk in Jeep Cherokees
• Exploding airbags
• Problems with steering software
• Transmission malfunctions
• Exhaust leaks
• Fuel overflow
• Window motor failure
• Accidental acceleration when using cruise control

What Type of Relief You May Be Entitled to

In most cases, if you realize that you have unknowingly bought a lemon in California, you are entitled to seek relief and/or compensation under the California Lemon Law. This relief or compensation can come in three forms:

• A Cash Settlement: In these instances, the car manufacturer agrees to pay a cash settlement in order to reimburse you for all costs incurred while dealing with the lemon. Under these circumstances, you have the choice to keep the vehicle and drive it, trade it in, or sell it.
• A Replacement of Your Vehicle: When offered relief in the form of a replacement, the car company will take the vehicle back and grant you another that is similar enough to the one originally bought.
• Vehicle Buyback: These cases are simply taken into effect when the car company purchases the Jeep back from you, along with paying off your down payment and any monthly payments you’ve already made. They will also pay the remaining amount on the loan or lease and all collateral expenses that came out of your personal pocket.

Your attorney can help you determine which course of action correctly fits your needs and situation.

However, there are some cases in which relief or compensation cannot be sought. These situations usually include vehicles that are not registered with the California DMV, vehicles that have been abused by their driver, collision-damaged vehicles, or any vehicles enhanced with parts purchased off-market.

FAQs

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Lemon Law Case in California?

A: In the state of California, there is no set way to go about estimating how long your lemon law settlement may take. There is a litany of factors that come into play during these cases that affect the duration. These factors can include the complexity of your case, whether there are any disputes that arise about the cause or nature of the issues, or how many issues are involved in the claim.

Q: How Do I Know If I Qualify for Lemon Law in California?

A: Under the California Lemon Law, there are several requirements you must meet in order to qualify to claim compensation. Your vehicle must have been bought under an existing and active warranty, you must have bought your vehicle from a manufacturer or dealership and not a private party, it must have undergone a reasonable number of repairs that did not address the issue, and it must suffer from a material defect.

Q: What Documentation Do I Need to Support My Lemon Law claim?

A: While you do not need each of these documents to file a successful lemon law claim, the following can prove helpful when seeking compensation. It is a good idea to collect the original lease or purchase agreement, the manufacturer’s warranty, the repair paperwork, any correspondence between yourself, the dealership, or the manufacturer, and things like vehicle registration, maintenance records, and accident history.

Q: How Do I File a Lemon Law Claim in California?

A: In order to file a lemon law claim in the state of California, there are several steps one will want to take. First, take your Jeep to a dealership for repairs, collect repair orders each time you bring it in, and allow the dealership a reasonable number of attempts at fixing the issue before gathering all the necessary paperwork and consulting an attorney. Your lemon law lawyer will be able to assist you from there.

Contact a California Lemon Law Lawyer

The nuances of California Lemon Law can oftentimes be difficult or overwhelming to try to understand. An experienced attorney can be a crucial asset when deciding to file a lemon law claim. Unfortunately, the reality is that most vehicle manufacturers will do everything to get out of being held accountable, but the team at Lemon Law Pro won’t let them off the hook so easily.

If you find yourself with a lemon on your hands, it’s time to find a lawyer. Contact the team at Lemon Law Pro today to schedule a free consultation and see what we recommend for your claim. We’ve helped thousands of clients like you.