Dealing with car alignment issues that keep coming back can turn your daily commute into a stressful experience. If you’ve taken your vehicle to the authorized dealership multiple times for the same warranty-covered alignment problem, California’s Lemon Law may offer protection and compensation. Contact The Barry Law Firm for a FAST & FREE case evaluation to learn more about your rights.
Are Repeated Alignment Issues Covered by California Lemon Law?
Persistent alignment problems can qualify your vehicle as a lemon under California law. California’s Lemon Law protects consumers when manufacturers cannot fix substantial defects covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Car alignment issues become a Lemon Law matter when they substantially affect your vehicle’s safety, use, or value. While alignment problems might seem minor, they can create serious safety hazards that qualify for protection.
Your vehicle doesn’t need to be entirely undriveable to qualify. You may have a valid claim if repeated alignment issues make your car unsafe or unreliable for normal driving. The Barry Law Firm has been exclusively handling California Lemon Law cases since 2010 and has helped thousands of consumers get rid of their lemon vehicles. Our experienced attorneys can evaluate whether your alignment problems meet the legal requirements for a Lemon Law claim.
What Is Considered a Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts?
California law doesn’t set an exact number of repair attempts that automatically makes a vehicle a lemon. Instead, the law considers each case individually based on the severity of the problem.
For alignment problems, a reasonable number of attempts typically depends on how the issue affects your vehicle:
- If the alignment defect poses a significant danger – Under California Lemon Law, two or more attempts to fix the problem are typically considered reasonable when safety is at risk.
- If the problem is less severe – Manufacturers may be entitled to more than two attempts to correct alignment issues that don’t immediately threaten safety.
- If your vehicle has been out of service for an inordinate amount of time – Your car may automatically qualify as a lemon, regardless of the number of repair attempts.
The manufacturer, typically through their authorized dealership, must be the one making these repair attempts for them to count toward your claim. Independent mechanics or your own adjustments won’t satisfy this requirement. That means documentation from authorized dealerships becomes crucial evidence in proving your case.
How Does an Alignment Issue Affect a Car?
Proper wheel alignment keeps your vehicle traveling straight and ensures even tire wear. When alignment problems persist, they can seriously compromise your car’s safety, use, and value in several ways.
Safety
Safety concerns from tire alignment issues include:
- Unpredictable pulling to one side, which can cause you to drift into other lanes or off the road entirely
- Reduced ability to control the vehicle during emergency maneuvers
- Uneven tire wear from alignment problems, which can lead to sudden tire failure at highway speeds
- Misaligned wheels, affecting your braking distance and stability (especially in wet conditions)
Use
The use of your vehicle suffers when you constantly fight the steering wheel to keep the car straight. This makes every drive exhausting and stressful. You might notice that you are avoiding highways or longer trips because maintaining control requires intense attention and effort.
Value
Your vehicle’s resale and trade-in value drops significantly with persistent alignment problems. Potential buyers will notice uneven tire wear immediately, and a dealership is unlikely to offer you your car’s typical value for a trade-in if they know it will be difficult to sell.
Besides that, recurring alignment issues quickly get costly. The need for frequent tire replacements due to abnormal wear patterns costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. Poor fuel economy from misaligned wheels means spending more at the pump. And alignment issues often indicate or cause damage to suspension components, leading to expensive secondary repairs.
Steps to Take If You Have Repeated Alignment Issues
Taking the proper steps protects your rights and strengthens your potential Lemon Law claim. Here’s what you should do if alignment problems keep returning despite multiple repairs:
- Document every authorized dealership visit. Keep all repair orders, invoices, and receipts that show each attempt to fix your alignment issues.
- Describe the problem clearly. Make sure service advisors write down precisely what you’re experiencing, including when it happens and how it affects your driving.
- Give the manufacturer a reasonable opportunity. Continue taking your vehicle to authorized dealerships for repairs to satisfy legal requirements.
- Note the time out of service. Track every day your vehicle spends at the authorized dealership for alignment-related repairs.
- Save your tires. If you replace tires due to uneven wear, photograph them first and keep receipts for the replacements.
- Contact an attorney. An experienced Lemon Law attorney can explain your rights under California law and help you determine your next steps.
Don’t try to fix the problem yourself or take your car to independent shops for alignment work. While this might seem like a faster solution, it can weaken your Lemon Law claim. The manufacturer must have the chance to repair the defect through their authorized dealerships.
How Can a Lemon Law Attorney Help You?
Working with an experienced Lemon Law attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve, rather than accepting less than your claim’s full value. At The Barry Law Firm, we will manage every aspect of your Lemon Law claim from start to finish.
We will assemble the necessary evidence and documentation to build a strong case against the manufacturer. Our team understands exactly what proof the law requires and how to present your alignment issues as the substantial defect they are. We know which technical experts to consult and how to demonstrate that the manufacturer has failed to fix your vehicle correctly.
Our attorneys will also calculate the fair compensation you deserve, including your down payment, monthly payments, registration fees, and other costs associated with purchasing or leasing your lemon vehicle. We’ll factor in any out-of-pocket expenses for towing, rentals, or repairs related to your alignment problems, as well.
Most importantly, the manufacturer must pay all attorney fees and costs after a successful claim, and we never charge our clients, no matter the outcome. This means you can pursue your claim without worrying about legal fees.
Get Your FREE Case Evaluation Today
Repeat alignment issues shouldn’t leave you stuck with an unsafe, unreliable vehicle. If you’re dealing with persistent car alignment issues that your authorized dealership can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts while under warranty, you may have a valid Lemon Law claim. Contact The Barry Law Firm now for a FAST & FREE case evaluation to determine your rights under California’s Lemon Law.
