Have you leased a vehicle in San Diego with a serious warranty-covered issue that the authorized dealer can’t seem to fix, no matter how many times you bring it back? If so, the Lemon Law for leases in San Diego may entitle you to seek compensation for the losses you’ve incurred due to your vehicle’s defects and demand that the manufacturer buy it back – and The Barry Law Firm wants to help.
Since 2010, our firm has focused on helping vehicle owners and lessees pursue accountability and financial recovery for lemons. We have helped thousands of clients take on big auto manufacturers and come out on top – and we never charge them anything. Contact us today for a FAST & FREE initial case evaluation with a knowledgeable Lemon Law lawyer serving San Diego, and let us pursue the justice you deserve.
The Lease Industry in San Diego
In the San Diego region, most drivers who have financing on their vehicles have purchased their cars via auto loan rather than leasing. In one recent quarter, 8 percent of financed cars on the road in California were leased, compared to 92 percent of vehicles with an auto loan. This could be because California is one of the few states where average lease payments are higher than average auto loan payments.
However, some drivers still prefer to lease. Some lessees can get a lower lease payment for their desired vehicle model compared to the vehicle’s loan payments, and others like driving cars with the latest technology.
Drivers should read lease agreements carefully before signing documents to ensure they understand their rights and obligations under the lease. Critical aspects to understand include mileage and wear-and-tear costs, repair obligations, and procedures for returning the vehicle.
When you lease a vehicle in San Diego, you’re likely locked into the contract for several years. And when you’re making that kind of commitment, you want to have a reliable and safe vehicle to drive. Unfortunately, not every leased vehicle is perfect, and many have serious defects that make them lemons. If your leased car qualifies as a lemon, you can pursue a San Diego Lemon Law claim to help make things right.
The Lemon Law in San Diego, California
In San Diego, the California Lemon Law provides financial relief for owners and lessees of vehicles that suffer from significant warranty-covered defects that the vehicle’s manufacturer or its authorized dealers cannot fix despite a reasonable number of attempts to do so. If a leased vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you can demand that the manufacturer buy it back from you and refund what you have spent on the faulty vehicle.
Is My Lease Covered Under the San Diego Lemon Law?
If you think you’ve leased a lemon, you’re likely wondering: Does the Lemon Law apply to leased vehicles? The law covers vehicles, whether purchased or leased in California, that have substantial unrepairable defects while under the protection of the original manufacturer’s warranty. Leasing a new car entitles you to Lemon Law protection if your defective vehicle meets the other requirements.
What Kind of Problems Qualify a Leased Car as a Lemon?
A warranty-covered issue in a leased vehicle may qualify it as a lemon if it substantially impacts the vehicle’s:
- Use – Issues affecting use make the vehicle unreliable, such as causing the car not to start,
- Safety – Issues affecting safety create a risk of injury or death, such as faulty brakes, or
- Value – Issues affecting value make the car less desirable to others, such as excessive problems with the body paint, which reduce the car’s trade-in or resale value.
What Is Considered a Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts for a Leased Lemon?
A significant defect may make a vehicle a lemon when the manufacturer or its authorized dealers fail to resolve the issue after a reasonable number of repair attempts. A reasonable number of repairs under California’s Lemon Law can vary from case to case:
- Defects posing a significant danger – Two or more attempts to fix the problem are typically considered reasonable
- Less severe defects – Manufacturers may be entitled to more than two attempts to fix the problem.
- Out of service – In certain circumstances, a leased vehicle may automatically qualify as a lemon if it is out of service for an inordinate amount of time.
What Compensation Can I Receive from a Successful Lemon Law Claim?
If you have a valid Lemon Law claim, California law allows you to request a refund of what you’ve spent on the vehicle as a remedy. Financial compensation in a Lemon Law claim can reimburse you for:
- Monthly lease payments
- Down payments
- Sales and use taxes
- Registration fees
- Towing charges
- Early lease termination penalties
- Out-of-pocket repair costs
- Car rental fees and other alternative transportation costs
The state’s Lemon Law also requires manufacturers to cover a vehicle lessee’s attorney fees and legal expenses incurred in pursuing a successful Lemon Law claim. When you hire a lemon attorney serving San Diego from The Barry Law Firm to handle your claim, you will never receive a bill for our legal services – regardless of the outcome of your case.
What Can The Barry Law Firm Do for Me?
Has your leased vehicle’s manufacturer failed to fix a serious warranty-covered issue after a reasonable number of repair attempts? If so, a lemon lawyer serving San Diego from The Barry Law Firm can help you pursue financial recovery through a Lemon Law claim by:
- Compiling evidence to establish your Lemon Law claim, including documentation of your vehicle’s issues and the repair attempts the manufacturer or its authorized dealer has made to fix the car
- Documenting the financial losses you’ve incurred due to leasing a lemon vehicle, including lease payments and other related expenses
- Pursuing your Lemon Law claim with the manufacturer to take this burden off your shoulders
- Negotiating for a fair settlement and presenting a solid case in court if necessary
California law gives you the right to demand fair compensation for a lemon. However, manufacturers will fight these claims vigorously – and they have considerable resources to do so. Don’t make the mistake of going up against them alone. Instead, contact The Barry Law Firm today for a fast, free, no-obligation consultation about your claim, and get the help you deserve from a skilled Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego.
