One of the jobs of regulatory agencies is to ensure the safety and protection of citizens who buy consumer products.  Federal agencies in the U.S. often force vehicle manufacturers to recall various makes and models to fix defects that could be dangerous or life-threatening to consumers.  A recent recall by Hyundai urged vehicle owners to park their cars and trucks outside to avoid potential fires, leaving consumers to wonder if the Hyundai ‘park outside’ recall qualifies for California lemon law protection. What is the Hyundai ‘Park Outside’ Recall? The National Highway Traffic Safe ..read more

The COVID pandemic wreaked havoc on supply chains throughout California and the U.S.  Auto parts for repairs sat on container ships languishing at sea, unable to reach ports to be unloaded.  Staffing issues plagued the industry, and a backlog of lemon law cases in state courts made it hard for consumers with defective vehicles to get the justice they deserved.  These pandemic supply chain issues caused lemon law claims to rise. Let’s Look at the Lemon Law Claims Before and After the Pandemic Supply Chain Issues Cause Lemon Law Claims to Rise The number of lemon law claims in Cal ..read more

If you’re wondering “is there a time limit to file a lemon law claim in California?”, the answer is “Yes.” It’s very important that you do not let the statute of limitations run out, or you could miss your opportunity to get a refund or a replacement vehicle. What Is the Lemon Law Statute of Limitations in CA? The statute of limitations for filing a lemon law claim in California is four (4) years from the date a consumer knew or should have known that the vehicle was a lemon. This does not mean, however, that if you have owned or leased your vehicle for more than 4 years, you cannot bring a le ..read more

Defective vehicle cases and dealer fraud cases are not only two very different legal actions, but they are also governed by different statutes.  Cases alleging auto defects and dangers are often handled as lemon law claims or breach of warranty claims.  On the other hand, cases alleging fraudulent practices by a dealer during the execution of a sale fall under the jurisdiction of laws prohibiting fraudulent or deceptive trade practices. California has an expansive and consumer-friendly lemon law, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, that provides legal relief for residents who pur ..read more

How does the lemon law work for used cars? Did you know that California’s lemon law provides protection for consumers who purchase used cars, just as it does for new cars? It does. If you purchased a used car that turned out to have chronic electrical or mechanical flaws, you may have a legal remedy. This blog answers the question: “How does the lemon law work for used cars?” So, read on and find out more. The California lemon law has different requirements for used cars to qualify than for new cars. However, the options for a remedy are the same if you have a successful lemon law claim. Gener ..read more

If you bought a lemon and are looking for a legal remedy, you may have many questions. The first question is probably how to file a lemon law claim in California. Here are 10 steps to take: 1. Hire an experienced California lemon law lawyer to represent you. 2. Check to see if there’s a manufacturer’s recall. If so, a dealership might repair your vehicle for free. If not, you probably need to file a lemon law claim. (Service contracts and extended warranties do not count.) 3. Review the manufacturer’s new-car warranty to determine if it’s still in effect and if the defective parts are covered ..read more

Purchasing a vehicle from an authorized dealership is often thought to be a safer bet than buying a car from a neighbor or local resident in a private sale.  But is this true?  Let’s take a closer look at the answer to the question, “What rights do I have when buying a car from a dealer?” California Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights The state of California actually has a Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights that lays out the legal protections you’re entitled to when purchasing a vehicle there.  It describes a dealer’s legal obligations to buyers and publishes names and phone numbers of consumer ..read more

A car’s title may be something that you don’t think about much, but it’s actually a very important legal document. It not only identifies the owner of a vehicle, but it can also influence the dollar value of your car, the insurance coverage you may be able to secure, and your ability to drive the vehicle on public roadways. A title is a record of the vehicle’s history. The information included on a car’s title includes: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Make and Model Manufacture Year Lienholder Information License Plate Number Owner’s Name and Address. Different types of titles include ..read more

If you excitedly purchased a vehicle only to discover that it has chronic electrical or mechanical defects, you may be wondering “how does the lemon law work in California?”  Well, you’ve come to the right place!  Neale & Fhima has been helping clients win lemon law claims for decades. California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (lemon law) provides protections to consumers so they’re not stuck with a defective vehicle after purchase.  If you can prove your car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle is a lemon, you could be entitled to a refund or vehicle replacement at the man ..read more

If you’re wondering “how does a car qualify for lemon law in California,” you’ve landed on the right page. Our skilled lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima can explain your rights and show you what to do to increase your chances of success. First, your new or used car must have a chronic defect, covered under the original manufacturer’s warranty, that doesn’t seem to ever go away no matter how many times you take it to the dealership for repairs. The defect doesn’t have to be life threatening, but it does have to substantially impact the vehicle’s use, value or safety. The defect cannot be ..read more