When you purchase or lease a recreational vehicle (RV) to serve as a mobile base during your travels or vacations, you likely picture yourself driving it cross-country or camping at your favorite spot. So it makes sense that you may be incredibly frustrated when it has issues keeping it in the shop while the manufacturer or their authorized dealer can’t seem to fix the problem. However, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial consequences of an RV you can’t use due to unending mechanical or electrical issues.
Fortunately, the California Lemon Law may provide you the right to seek remedies from the RV’s manufacturer for the expenses and headaches you’ve had to endure – and The Barry Law Firm can help. Since we started our firm focusing exclusively on Lemon Law claims in 2010, we have helped thousands of consumers hold auto manufacturers accountable for putting unreliable or unsafe vehicles on the road. And because the Lemon Law requires manufacturers to pay the consumer’s legal costs in a successful claim, we do it all without ever charging our clients a penny.
Contact The Barry Law Firm for a FAST & FREE case evaluation with a knowledgeable RV Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego to learn more about your legal options.
What Is a Lemon?
A “lemon” refers to a motor vehicle that suffers from a warranty-covered defect that substantially affects its use, safety, or value, which the manufacturer or its authorized dealers cannot repair despite a reasonable number of attempts.
For example, an RV may be a lemon if:
- It fails to start every time you turn the ignition.
- It suffers from sudden losses of power.
- The transmission won’t select or hold the right gear.
- The infotainment system or climate control won’t work properly.
- It experiences brake problems.
When Does an RV Qualify as a Lemon?
Under California’s Lemon Law, the chassis, cab, and drivetrain of a motorhome can qualify for protection. However, the law does not cover any motorhome components intended, maintained, or used primarily for human habitation.
To qualify as a lemon, an RV must have a persistent and significant defect that:
- Affects its use, safety, or value
- Is covered by the manufacturer’s original new vehicle warranty
- Started while still under the manufacturer’s original warranty
An RV owner or lessee may seek relief under the Lemon Law if the vehicle’s manufacturer or authorized dealer has failed to fix the defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts. What is considered a reasonable number of repairs under California’s Lemon Law for RVs can vary from case to case:
- If the defect poses a significant danger, two or more attempts to fix the problem are typically considered reasonable.
- For less severe issues, the manufacturer may be entitled to more than two attempts.
- In certain circumstances, an RV may automatically qualify as a lemon if it is out of service for an inordinate amount of time.
If you think you may have a lemon on your hands, the experienced Lemon Law attorneys at The Barry Law Firm can review your case and explain your rights.
What Compensation Can RV Owners Receive for a Lemon?
The California RV Lemon Law allows owners or lessees of an RV that qualifies as a lemon to demand that the manufacturer buy the RV back. In a Lemon Law claim, consumers can seek compensation for the cost of the lemon RV and any expenses or losses from the RV’s issues, including:
- Down payments
- Monthly payments
- Remaining loan balance
- Sales taxes
- Finance charges
- Out-of-pocket repair expenses
- Towing fees
- Rental car expenses or other transportation costs
The Lemon Law also allows consumers to recover their attorney’s fees and legal expenses. The manufacturer must pay our fees in a successful claim, and you will never receive a bill from The Barry Law Firm for our services – regardless of the outcome of your case.
The Importance of Proof
To succeed in a Lemon Law claim, an RV owner or lessee needs enough evidence to prove their vehicle suffers from a significant defect and that the RV’s manufacturer or authorized dealer has failed to remedy the issue after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Without proof of an ongoing issue or evidence that a manufacturer has had a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem, an RV owner or lessee may have trouble recovering compensation from the manufacturer under the Lemon Law.
Examples of evidence you may need to support your San Diego RV Lemon Law claim include:
- Photos or videos of a visible issue or defect
- Diagnostic test results
- Towing records
- Authorized dealer service center repair records
- Copies of correspondence with the manufacturer or authorized dealer
Benefits of Having an RV Lemon Lawyer on Your Side
When you hire an RV Lemon Law attorney from The Barry Law Firm to help you through a claim against your RV’s manufacturer, you’ll benefit from having legal counsel who can:
- Thoroughly review the facts of your case to assess your rights under the Lemon Law
- Help you organize the information and evidence needed to support your claim
- Document your financial losses to ensure you seek maximum compensation for your expenses or losses
- Handle the process of pursuing your claim from start to finish to take the stress of the legal process off your shoulders
- Aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement and represent you in court if needed
- Take care of your Lemon Law case without ever charging you anything
Contact The Barry Law Firm for Help with Your RV Lemon Law Claim
When you’ve purchased or leased an RV that experiences a serious warranty-covered defect causing you to bring the vehicle back to the manufacturer multiple times, you may have a Lemon Law claim that can provide you compensation for your headache and financial losses. Contact The Barry Law Firm today for a FAST & FREE consultation with an RV Lemon Law attorney serving San Diego to learn more.
