San Diego Lemon Law Lawyer
In San Diego, getting around usually means getting behind the wheel. From daily commutes on I-805 to weekend drives along the coast, your car is part of nearly everything you do. When a new vehicle turns out to be defective, it can disrupt your work attendance, interfere with family responsibilities, and threaten your safety.
California law provides strong consumer protections in these types of situations. If your car meets the state’s definition of a lemon, Lemon Law Help can help you pursue a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement. Our lemon law attorneys in San Diego are trusted advocates for people seeking accountability when a new car fails to perform as promised.
On this Page
- Why Choose Lemon Law Help as Your San Diego Attorneys?
- What To Expect Throughout Your Lemon Law Claim
- Understanding California Lemon Law
- What Types of Vehicles Does California’s Lemon Law Cover?
- What Compensation Is Available Through a Lemon Law Claim?
- FAQs for San Diego Drivers
- Reach Out Today for Your Lemon Law Help in San Diego
- Our California Office Locations
Why Choose Lemon Law Help as Your San Diego Attorneys?
Most lemon law firms promise quick resolutions, but rapid speed often comes at the cost of meaningful results. Too often, other attorneys stop at the basic refund or replacement, leaving clients without the full relief they could recover under the law. Our team takes a different approach: we fight for every form of compensation available, including civil penalties that can potentially triple your settlement.
This approach is just the beginning of why San Diego drivers trust us. Here’s what else we have to offer:
- Nearly two decades of California lemon law experience: Since 2006, our attorneys have represented more than 10,000 car owners and lessees.
- Unmatched record of success: Our firm has secured industry-leading verdicts and settlements, including six-figure awards against Ford, Cadillac, Nissan, and other large automakers.
- Trial-ready advocacy: We take more lemon law cases to trial than any other firm in California and have won multiple appeals before the state Supreme Court.
- Strong statewide reach: With offices in Los Angeles, Roseville, and Walnut Creek, we bring the resources of a prominent California firm while providing personalized representation for San Diego drivers.
- No upfront costs: Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing out of pocket while we advocate for you.
What To Expect Throughout Your Lemon Law Claim
We’re here to guide you through every step of your San Diego lemon law claim. Let us handle the heavy lifting while you focus on moving forward with your life. Our process is efficient, client-focused, and designed to get you the maximum compensation California law allows.
- Step 1: Free case review. We’ll start by learning about your situation and reviewing your eligibility under California’s lemon law.
- Step 2: Collect repair and warranty records. Our lemon law team will help you gather documentation showing how many times your vehicle has been in the shop and for what issues.
- Step 3: Negotiate with the manufacturer. We’ll file your lemon law claim, handle all communication with the automaker on your behalf, and present evidence to push for the full compensation you’re entitled to.
- Step 4: Deliver a fair outcome. Our goal is to resolve your claim with the outcome that benefits you most, whether that’s a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement. If the automaker fails to cooperate out of court, we’ll be ready to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
California’s Lemon Law Lawyers Who Don’t Back Down
- Free Consultation
- No Fees Unless You Win
- No Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Fighting for 3xx Higher Settlements than other firms
Disclaimer: Based on past results; every case is different.
Understanding California Lemon Law
California’s lemon law, officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, protects buyers and lessees of new motor vehicles and other retail consumer goods by requiring manufacturers to honor their warranties. If a product cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must replace it or provide a refund.
Under California’s lemon law presumption, a vehicle may be considered a lemon if problems covered under the manufacturer’s warranty occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after purchase or lease, whichever comes first:
- Four failed repair attempts: The manufacturer has tried four or more times to fix the same problem without success.
- Two failed safety repair attempts: A defect that could cause death or serious injury remains after at least two repair attempts.
- More than 30 days in the shop: The vehicle has spent more than 30 total days in a repair facility for warranty-covered problems, even if the days are not consecutive.
San Diego drivers have the same protections as all California residents. If your vehicle meets any one of these conditions, the law recognizes your right to a fair resolution. Consumers who don’t meet the presumption criteria may still have a valid claim, but those who do may have an easier time recovering fair compensation.
How the Law Protects San Diego Consumers
The lemon law protects consumers in San Diego County from being left with defective, unsafe, or unreliable vehicles that manufacturers fail to repair. If your car qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer must either replace or refund the vehicle, whichever you prefer.
If you choose a replacement, the lemon vehicle’s manufacturer must provide you with a comparable new vehicle to replace the defective one. If you choose a refund, the manufacturer must fully refund you for the purchase price, minus a small deduction for mileage, through a buyback.
Additionally, the manufacturer must repay any expenses you incur due to the defect, including repair bills, towing costs, and rental car fees. These protections provide peace of mind by guaranteeing that San Diego drivers always have a legal remedy when repairs fail to make things right.
What Types of Vehicles Does California’s Lemon Law Cover?
California’s lemon law covers most new or used vehicles sold or leased with the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty, including:
- Cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs
- A motor home’s chassis, chassis cab, and drive train
- Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators
- Vehicles under 10,000 pounds purchased or leased primarily for business use
- Vehicles purchased or leased for personal, family, or household purposes
The law generally does not cover off-road vehicles, vehicles that have been abused, or vehicles purchased through private sales.
What Compensation Is Available Through a Lemon Law Claim?
If your car qualifies as a lemon, you may be entitled to one of the following forms of compensation or resolution:
- Buyback or refund: The manufacturer may take back the vehicle and refund what you paid after deducting mileage costs.
- Replacement vehicle: You can receive a comparable new car after returning the defective one to the manufacturer.
- Cash settlement: In some cases, it may be possible to accept a negotiated cash payment while keeping your vehicle.
In addition to these options, you may also be eligible to receive civil penalties as well as reimbursement for expenses associated with the vehicle’s defect. The manufacturer must also cover your attorney’s fees if your case succeeds. That means you keep the full value of your compensation—whether it’s money back, a replacement vehicle, or a fair settlement.
FAQs for San Diego Drivers
Explore our answers to common questions from San Diego drivers who suspect their vehicle might be a lemon.
Does California Lemon Law Apply to Used or Leased Cars in San Diego?
Yes. The law covers new cars, leased vehicles, and certain used cars that are still under the manufacturer’s original warranty. However, our firm only takes cases involving used cars when they’re certified pre-owned.
How Many Repair Attempts Are Required Before My Car Qualifies?
Your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if a serious safety defect is not fixed after two attempts or if the same warranty-covered issue is not fixed after four attempts. Alternatively, your vehicle may qualify if it’s been in the shop for more than 30 non-consecutive days.
What Should I Do if the Dealership Refuses To Repair My Car?
Document the refusal and any related communication with the dealership, then contact our attorneys to enforce your rights.
How Long Does a Lemon Law Case Usually Take in San Diego?
The San Diego lemon law timeline depends on your case’s complexity and the manufacturer’s response. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take over a year, especially if a trial becomes necessary.
Reach Out Today for Your Lemon Law in San Diego
Your vehicle should be safe and reliable while still under the manufacturer’s original warranty. If it isn’t, we’re here to help.
With thousands of clients helped and a 99% success rate, our lemon law attorneys in San Diego know how to hold manufacturers accountable. We proudly represent drivers across San Diego County and surrounding communities, backed by the resources of a statewide team with proven results throughout California.
Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward relief. There are no fees unless we win and zero out-of-pocket costs at any stage of your case. Call 833-208-8181 or contact us online to get started.
