Nobody wants to purchase a new vehicle only to discover it’s actually a lemon with severe defects. Fortunately, California has robust laws that protect consumers when that happens.
If you purchased or leased a new vehicle in San Diego and discovered significant warranty-covered defects despite giving the manufacturer a reasonable number of attempts to repair it, contact The Barry Law Firm for a FAST & FREE consultation with an experienced Lemon Law attorney. We can guide you through the process of pursuing a Lemon Law claim against the manufacturer and what to look for when choosing a new vehicle to avoid another lemon.
What Is a Lemon?
A vehicle is considered a lemon in California if it meets the following criteria:
- The vehicle was purchased or leased in California.
- It has a substantial defect that impacts its safety, use, or value.
- The defect is covered under the manufacturer’s original warranty.
- The issue with the vehicle arose during the original warranty period.
- The manufacturer made a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue.
Buying a Reliable Vehicle Could Help Prevent a Lemon Law Issue
One of the best ways to avoid purchasing a lemon is to look for vehicles and brands with high reliability ratings. The more reliable a brand or particular vehicle model is, the less likely it is to suffer from defects that could impact its performance.
For example, there’s a reason why Honda Civics are some of the most common compact cars on the road. Consumers choose them over the competition partly because of their reliability, which helps them last longer.
Think of the vehicle brands that you see people still driving after 10 or 20 years. These are vehicles that have been through a lot and still hold up. You can usually trust these brands to provide a good product backed by a solid warranty and reputable service.
List of Reliable Vehicles in San Diego, CA
The top reliable cars in San Diego come from various manufacturers, including Lexus, Subaru, Honda, Ford, and Hyundai:
- Lexus NX – J.D. Power not only ranked Lexus as having the top reliable luxury cars, but also the most dependable cars overall. The Lexus NX series is a compact SUV with hybrid options featuring 37-mile electric ranges and 39 mpg when using gas.
- Subaru Crosstrek – Consumer Reports selected the Subaru Crosstrek as its number one subcompact SUV, highlighting its ride, fuel economy, all-wheel drive, and high ground clearance. Subaru also states that its hybrid version has up to 38 percent better fuel economy than the gas versions.
- Honda Civic – The Honda Civic was selected by Kelly Blue Book (KBB) as the best compact car of the year. It has been one of the most popular choices of compact vehicles for decades due to its lower price point and reliability.
- Ford F-150 – It probably comes as no surprise that the Ford F-150 is one of the top full-size trucks on the market, as it has been for years. And now that an all-electric version is available in the F-150 Lightning, owners can save on fuel while still getting similar towing capacity and durability.
- Hyundai IONIQ – Hyundai’s IONIQ series sweeps the competition, according to KBB’s ratings of electric vehicles. All top three electric SUVs come from this series, as does the number one electric car.
When choosing a new vehicle, you should always look for reviews from trusted sources, including J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and Kelly Blue Book. But don’t forget to also read reviews from other consumers or ask your friends and family about their experiences with their vehicles or particular brands.
Reliable Vehicles Can Still Be Lemons
Unfortunately, even a reliable vehicle can still be a lemon. While purchasing a dependable vehicle does reduce the chances, it doesn’t completely prevent your car from being a lemon.
Reliable vehicles can be lemons if something goes wrong during the manufacturing process. For example, if your vehicle has a significant defect in its drive train, it may not be so simple for the manufacturer to repair, leading to your vehicle’s classification as a lemon. That’s when California’s Lemon Law protections can make all the difference.
I Think My Car Is a Lemon – What Should I Do?
If you think your car is a lemon, you should schedule a free consultation with a Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can explain your rights under California’s Lemon Law and the legal process involved in pursuing a claim with the vehicle manufacturer.
California’s Lemon Law statute of limitations requires you to file a lawsuit within a certain number of years from when you first purchased or leased the vehicle, so taking action as soon as possible is crucial. When you work with our firm, we’ll make sure you don’t miss any deadlines, protecting your right to seek compensation for the hardships your lemon vehicle put you through.
How a Lemon Law Attorney Can Support Your Case
Our Lemon Law attorneys can help support your case by assembling your records that establish your vehicle’s defect, the manufacturer’s repair attempts, and your warranty coverage. We can then use that evidence to build a strong case against the manufacturer, demanding that they buy back your defective vehicle and refund what you have spent on the lemon. We’ll handle every aspect of your case, from filing a claim to negotiating a fair settlement and even representing you in court if needed.
When you work with our team, you also never have to worry about paying for our legal support. Under California’s Lemon Law, the manufacturer must pay the consumer’s legal costs for successful claims, and we never charge clients, no matter the outcome of their case. Working with our firm poses no financial risk to you.
Contact The Barry Law Firm Today
Even if you do your research and purchase a reliable car, it may still end up being a lemon. If you suspect your new car is a lemon, contact The Barry Law Firm today for a FAST & FREE case evaluation. Our firm has been protecting consumers’ rights across California since 2010 and has helped thousands of frustrated individuals get the justice they deserve from big auto makers and dealers. And when you hire us to handle your Lemon Law case, you’ll never get a bill from us, no matter how your case turns out. Call or reach out online to learn more.
