If your vehicle has a problem that seemingly won’t go away, you might wonder if it’s worth filing a lemon law claim. However, eligibility for lemon law compensation can depend on the severity of the problem. If your problem is relatively minor, you might ask “should I still file a claim under the lemon law?” The real answer is: it depends.
First, it’s important to understand what defects the lemon law covers. Under the California Lemon Law, a vehicle is considered defective if its problems are:
1) substantially impairing its use, value or safety and
2) not fixable even after the auto manufacturer was given a reasonable number of chances to repair the vehicle.
What determines the answer to the question “Can I file a lemon law claim if the defect is minor?” is if the “minor” defect has the ability to substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value or safety. It is possible for a vehicle problem to seem minor at the outset, but for its severity to increase over time.
However, if a vehicle problem does not impair the vehicle’s use, value or safety, or if it was fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may not be eligible for lemon law compensation. For example, a scratch on the exterior of your vehicle or a broken cup holder may not qualify your vehicle as a lemon.
If you are not sure whether your vehicle problem is severe enough to make your vehicle a lemon, seek out a consultation with an experienced lemon law attorney.
You do not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for initial consultations or for lemon law representation. A lemon law attorney can answer any questions you have about your lemon law rights. In turn, you may be asked about your vehicle history, repairs and communications you’ve had with the auto manufacturer.
To get a free lemon law consultation, call our 24/7 number: (877) 222-2222.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
