Did you recently buy or lease a vehicle for your business, only to discover that it has a serious warranty-covered issue that the manufacturer can’t seem to solve after a reasonable number of attempts? If so, California’s Lemon Law for commercial vehicles may allow you to demand that the manufacturer buy the vehicle back and refund what you have spent on it. However, these powerful business interests aggressively fight Lemon Law claims. Without experienced legal guidance, you might struggle to get the money you deserve.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go up against them alone. Instead, contact The Barry Law Firm for a FAST & FREE case evaluation with a Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego. We look forward to explaining your rights under the commercial vehicle Lemon Law and how we can pursue a claim on your behalf – all at no cost to you.
Does the California Lemon Law Apply to Commercial Vehicles?
The California Lemon Law covers various types of commercial vehicles in San Diego, including cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans, so long as they are covered under their manufacturer’s original warranty. The law applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of less than 10,000 pounds that are purchased or leased primarily for business use by an owner or business with a fleet of fewer than five vehicles. This means the Lemon Law can apply to commercial vehicles, such as taxis or company vans, under certain conditions.
The Lemon Law provides legal protection for vehicles that suffer from defects that affect their use, safety, or value and are covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty. A vehicle may qualify as a lemon when the manufacturer or their authorized dealers fail to resolve a serious defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
What is considered a “reasonable” number of attempts may depend on the circumstances of the case, including the seriousness of the issue. For example, two or more attempts may be considered reasonable for a significant safety defect. However, a manufacturer might be allowed more than two attempts to correct a less severe problem. In certain cases, a business vehicle may automatically qualify as a lemon if it is out of service for an inordinate amount of time.
What Defects Can a Commercial Vehicle Have That Make It a Lemon?
Common defects that may qualify a commercial vehicle for protection under California’s Lemon Law include:
- Failure to start when turning the ignition
- Engine stalling
- Sudden loss of engine power
- Repeated engine overheating
- Unintended acceleration
- Excessive engine noise or vibrations
- Inability to change gears
- Slipping gears
- Rough shifting
- Sudden shifting out of gear
- Brake failures
- Rough vibrations when braking
- Rapid wear on brake pads and rotors
- Erratic steering
- Loss of power steering
- Malfunctioning exterior and interior lights
- Malfunctioning infotainment screens
- No AC or vents only blowing hot air
- Inability to hold a battery charge
- Faulty wiring that causes shorts or fires
- Rapid rusting of body panels or vehicle frames
- Excessive bubbling, peeling, flaking, or fading body paint
- Water leaks through doors, windows, convertible tops, or sunroofs
That said, any warranty-covered issue that affects your vehicle’s use, safety, or value may qualify the car as a lemon if the manufacturer cannot fix the issue after a reasonable number of repair attempts. If you aren’t sure whether your commercial vehicle’s defect counts, an experienced Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm can help.
What Steps Should I Take If I Think My Commercial Vehicle Is a Lemon?
The sooner you begin your Lemon Law claim, the better. You can protect your investment and your right to fair compensation by taking the following steps:
- Gather all the records you have for the repairs on your defective vehicle, including diagnostic or inspection reports, repair summaries, and receipts.
- Find your purchase or leasing documents and the manufacturer’s original warranty.
- Get receipts or records of your loan or lease payments.
- Keep copies of any expenses you incur due to your lemon vehicle’s problems, such as out-of-pocket repair costs, rental car expenses, or towing fees.
You should also talk to a Lemon Law attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can determine whether your commercial vehicle qualifies for California’s Lemon Law protection, discuss what compensation you might recover in a Lemon Law claim, and pursue that claim on your behalf.
Why Should I Hire a Lemon Law Attorney?
If your commercial vehicle qualifies as a lemon under state law, a Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm can help you demand that the manufacturer buy the vehicle back and refund what you have spent on it. This legal representation can alleviate the stress of pursuing a Lemon Law claim while also showing the manufacturer that you intend to fight vigorously for the restitution you are owed.
More specifically, a lawyer can help with your case by:
- Assembling valuable documentation, including repair records from the manufacturer to identify the issue affecting your vehicle and demonstrate the manufacturer’s multiple failed repair attempts
- Calculating your losses from your vehicle’s defects in order to pursue the fair compensation you deserve
- Managing all the details of your claims and negotiating with the manufacturer so that you can focus on your business
- Fighting for the best possible resolution to your Lemon Law claim, even if that means taking your case to trial
- Handling your San Diego Lemon Law case without ever charging you anything because the manufacturer must pay your legal costs in a successful claim
If you’ve purchased or leased a commercial vehicle that suffers from significant warranty-covered issues that the manufacturer cannot fix despite a reasonable number of attempts, you may qualify for protection under the California Lemon Law. But don’t make the mistake of thinking the manufacturer has your best interests at heart or will make things right without legal pressure of your own. Instead, contact The Barry Law Firm now for a FAST & FREE consultation with a Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego.
We’re ready to discuss your case without cost or obligation. And you’ll never receive a bill from us, no matter the outcome of your claim. There’s no financial risk, so reach out today to get started.
