Lemon Law
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What is the Lemon Law?
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as California's "Lemon Law," provides that if a manufacturer or its authorized dealer cannot successfully repair a defective product within a reasonable number of repair attempts, the manufacturer must either promptly replace or repurchase the product. The product must be covered by a manufacturer's or retail seller's warranty.
What types of products does the Lemon Law apply to?
The Lemon Law, however, actually applies to all consumer products sold in this state and covered by a manufacturer's or retail seller's warranty. Examples of products covered by the lemon law are: automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, personal water craft and motorcycles. A service contract, or extended warranty, may act the same as a manufacturer's warranty in terms of providing coverage under the Lemon Law for used vehicles.
Does the Lemon Law apply to leases?
Yes. The Lemon Law applies to leased products as well as products that are purchased.
How long do I have to bring my case?
You may bring a case under the Lemon Law within four years of the date you knew, or should have known, the product was a "lemon".
Gas & Autos Automobiles -
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important point
An important point that was not mentioned was that under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the defect needs to substantially impair the use, value or safety. So it will probably be difficult to compel the manufacturer to repurchase the vehicle under the Song-Beverly Act for a defect that is not impairing use value of safety in any way.
Dear Anonymous re: Northern CA lemon law- your best bet is to contact a qualified attorney in North Carolina. They should be able to give you the legal advice you are looking for.
about lemon laws in north carolina
I purchased a vehicle 2005 grand am with warranties also purchased on my contract
was promised watever would be wrong with the car it would immiditely be fixed, asked for the car fax always put on hold finaly got it after i purchased the vehicle it had been in accident,, on top o fbeing a lemon i could not drive had all kinds of problems with th ebrakes you coudl hear it a mile away when i drive ,, th ewiindshield was impossible to see through when foggy outside or raining had to pull on the road ,, th ecar had a smell so bad like it had been in a flood smelled horrible ,, hugged stained on the seat they coudl never fix ,went time and time to the dealer which i found out later was private dealer had problems with transnmission a totaly nightmare from the moment i got the car i called dmv attorney general office here they took the dealer word, offered me no answers but to say they said they found nothing wrong with the car ,, th efinance company when they saw i was taking steps to remedy this situation they cam eand repos the car ,, doing so they damaged th ewhole back end of car when wen tto see it and they wanted me to pay them fees for therepos top it off when they had damage the car that was already a lemon i could not drive to work lost days of works during that whole nighmare trying to get them to fix the car ,, now my credit suiffers shows a repos on my credit ,,, had givien them a car who was paid off to me for down payment and also cash got left with a repos no car ,, how do these crooks get away with this ruin people lives credit ,, 6 month sago i went bought another car at a pontiac dealership used th eday afte ri purchased it the engine light came on so i went back to th edealership told him he said nothing he could do to take it to a mechanic they knew nothing about fords ,, yet he sold me the car emission inspection tag on the light engine on, i went to a garage technician amechanic he told me that i could not gt the car through inspection with the engine light on i called the dealership the saleman quite i was told no longer there,,i had repairs on the car so far for $900 dollors not one window works ha dot replace hoses radiator overheated on and on ,, can you please help me give me some advice i am so so frustrated this whole situation feel robbed cheated ,, thank you
Lemon Law
Great information. Thanks so much for sharing. The california lemon law can really save the day sometimes. I found additional useful info at this site and it really helped me.
California Lemon Law
Lemon Law Additional Information
For new and used car buyers IN CALIFORNIA ONLY: Below is a sample of the information provided on the DMV site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr35.htm.
Dealers must provide an itemized price list for items such as warranties and insurance, etc., if the items are being financed.
Dealer compensation from an institution financing the purchase of a vehicle is limited to no more than 2 percent for a loan term over 60 months and 2.5 percent for a loan term of 60 months or less.
Dealers must provide buyers with their credit score and an explanation of how it is used.
For used car buyers only
The California DMV web site provides updated information on what is and what is not acceptable when buying a new or used car:
A used car buyer may obtain a two-day sales contract cancellation option.
Used cars advertised as “certified” must meet specific requirements.
Used car buyers may purchase a two-day sales contract cancellation option.
There is no “cooling off” period unless you obtain a contract cancellation option. Consumers who purchase a used car for less than $40,000 must be given an opportunity to purchase a two-day Contract Cancellation Option Agreement.
Important: The contract cancellation option does not apply to used cars priced at $40,000 or more, new cars, private party sales, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles, or vehicles sold for business or commercial use.
SAM
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