Many drivers in San Diego buy or lease hybrid vehicles for their greater fuel efficiency or lower environmental impact. Although hybrid vehicle technology has matured since the first commercially available models, new hybrids can still suffer from major design or manufacturing defects that manufacturers fail to fix even after repeated repair efforts while under warranty. Fortunately, the California Lemon Law protects vehicle owners and lessees when that happens.
At The Barry Law Firm, we have focused exclusively on California’s Lemon Law for 15 years. In that time, we have helped thousands of California consumers get justice and hold auto manufacturers accountable for producing lemons. We have the experience, knowledge, and resources needed to help you, too. And when you choose us to handle your Lemon Law claim, you’ll never get a bill from us, regardless of your case’s outcome. Contact us today for a FAST & FREE consultation to learn more about the Lemon Law for hybrids in San Diego.
What Is the Lemon Law for Hybrid Vehicles in San Diego?
The California Lemon Law provides certain legal protections to San Diego owners and lessees of qualifying hybrid vehicles, including hybrid cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. When a vehicle has a warranty-covered issue that the manufacturer or authorized dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the car may be considered a lemon. The law allows the owner or lessee to demand that the manufacturer buy the vehicle back and refund them for their:
- Down payment and vehicle trade-in
- Loan or lease payments
- Remaining loan or lease balance
- Sales and use taxes
- Registration and license fees
- Towing charges
- Out-of-pocket repair expenses
- Costs of alternative transportation, such as rental cars or taxis/rideshares
- Attorneys’ fees and legal costs
How to Qualify for the California Lemon Law
A faulty vehicle that was purchased or leased in California can qualify for protection under the state’s Lemon Law. A defect that triggers the Lemon Law must fall within the scope of the manufacturer’s original warranty and significantly affect the vehicle’s value, use, or safety.
An owner or lessee may seek relief under the Lemon Law after the vehicle’s manufacturer or an authorized dealer has failed to fix a qualifying issue after a reasonable number of repair attempts. What is considered a “reasonable” number of attempts will depend on the specific circumstances in a Lemon Law case.
When an issue creates a risk of injury, two or more repair attempts by a manufacturer or authorized dealer can qualify as a reasonable repair opportunity. For less serious issues, a manufacturer may have more than two attempts to fix the problem. An owner or lessee may also have Lemon Law rights after an issue has kept their vehicle in the shop for an inordinate amount of time.
An experienced Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm can help you determine if your defective vehicle qualifies for protection under California’s Lemon Law.
Common Hybrid Vehicle Defects Covered Under the Lemon Law
Examples of defects that can trigger the protection of the Lemon Law for hybrids include:
- Electrical and battery pack problems that can cause a failure to charge, rapid degradation of battery capacity, overheating, or a risk of battery fires
- Braking issues, including brake failures or problems with the regenerative braking system
- Troubles switching between gas and electric power
- Sudden power loss
- Unintended acceleration
- Transmission issues, including sudden shifting out of gear
- Failure to reliably start
- Malfunctioning of the infotainment system or other computer components
I Think My Hybrid Is a Lemon. What Do I Do?
When your hybrid vehicle turns out to be a lemon, taking prompt action can help protect your rights under the California Lemon Law in San Diego. Steps to take when you determine you’ve bought or leased a defective hybrid vehicle include:
- Step 1 – Document your hybrid vehicle’s issue, including taking photos or videos of a visible problem (such as a failure to start reliably, a malfunctioning infotainment screen, or excessive body paint issues) or obtaining diagnostic reports that identify the problem.
- Step 2 – Take your vehicle to the manufacturer’s authorized dealer for repairs. Keep copies of records of repairs, including how long your vehicle spends in the shop. This documentation can help you establish that you gave the manufacturer a reasonable number of repair attempts.
- Step 3 – Gather your purchase or lease documents and keep copies of your car loan or lease payments, towing expenses, out-of-pocket repair costs, and alternative transportation expenses to document losses you might recover in a Lemon Law claim.
- Step 4 – Talk to a Lemon Law attorney to discuss your legal options under the law. If you qualify, they can help you file a Lemon Law claim and advocate for you to hold your vehicle’s manufacturer responsible. You have limited time to file a claim, though, so reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.
Why Is Having a Lemon Law Attorney Important?
Even if you have a clear Lemon Law claim supported by plenty of evidence, your vehicle’s manufacturer will likely still fight you when you ask them to make things right. Without the help of an experienced Lemon Law attorney, you may be facing an uphill battle to get rid of your lemon hybrid vehicle.
A lawyer from The Barry Law Firm can help you pursue a San Diego Lemon Law claim by:
- Evaluating the facts of your case to determine whether your hybrid vehicle is a lemon, entitling you to relief under the Lemon Law
- Assembling documentation of your vehicle’s issue and the manufacturer’s repair efforts to establish your right to Lemon Law protections
- Calculating your expenses and losses from your vehicle’s defect to ensure we pursue maximum compensation
- Filing your claim and managing the entire Lemon Law process from start to finish
- Handling communications and negotiations with your vehicle’s manufacturer
- Representing you in court if the manufacturer refuses to agree to a fair settlement
At The Barry Law Firm, we will handle your Lemon Law case at no charge to you. When a consumer wins a Lemon Law claim in California, the law requires the manufacturer to pay the consumer’s attorneys’ fees. And you’ll never see a bill from us – no matter the outcome of your case.
The Barry Law Firm Is Here to Help
If you’ve bought or leased a hybrid that develops a serious warranty-covered problem that the manufacturer can’t fix despite having a reasonable opportunity, you may have a claim under the California Lemon Law. Contact The Barry Law Firm today for a fast, free, no-obligation consultation with a Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego. We’re happy to explain your legal rights and fight for the justice you deserve – at no cost to you.
