Understanding the Lemon Law to Protect Consumers From Faulty Vehicles

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Whether you’re buying a brand new model or a used one, you still want your car to be reliable. However, more and more people are finding out the hard way that their “new” car isn’t living up to that promise and keeps having serious recurring problems, causing a rise in what’s referred to as ‘lemon cars’. These cars keep having mechanical issues, no matter how often you get them repaired. 

Despite all the new technology and quality assurance, the number of lemon cases keeps going up, raising real concerns about how these vehicles are built and who’s accountable for ensuring their safety. This article explores this concept in detail: 

Legal Protection for Consumers

When it comes to faulty cars, federal law gives some basic protection, but the details vary depending on which state you live in. How a state handles lemon cases determines whether a buyer receives a refund, a replacement vehicle, or has to pursue the matter in court. In California, though, consumer protection is comparatively stronger than in other states. In case of any car defects, many buyers can seek California lemon law attorneys to file their claim. 

Under its Lemon Law, if your car’s issue isn’t fixed after a reasonable number of repairs, then the manufacturer is supposed to either replace your car or give a refund. These usually apply within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, but the details can change according to the situation. This law usually has two kinds of warranties:

• An Express Warranty is when the company makes false promises, such as “this car gets 30 mpg” or “the engine will last 5 years.” 
• An Implied Warranty is an unwritten, automatic guarantee under the law that the product will meet basic quality standards and is suitable for intended use. 

Federal Law vs State Law

The law helps drivers get fair compensation by giving manufacturers solutions on what they must do if buyers end up with a vehicle that doesn’t live up to the quality and performance standards. It works on two levels:

1. Federal Lemon Law

The main federal law that covers lemon issues is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which has been around since 1975. It applies to just about any consumer product over $15, including cars. In essence, it states that if a company offers a written warranty, they have to explain the details clearly and in plain language. 

They also can’t take away your rights under implied warranties and can’t pile on extra requirements for you beyond simply reporting the problem. If something goes wrong, the company has to make a real attempt to fix, replace, or refund it. Another important thing is that this federal law doesn’t override state lemon laws; it works alongside them. 

2. State Lemon Laws

As buying a car is a huge investment, some states build on federal protections and add extra rules to protect drivers.  Each state has its own lemon laws with differences in details. For example:

• Transaction type: Lemon laws in a lot of states only apply to new cars, while some extend their laws to used or leased cars as well. 
• Duration of protection: State laws protect for a limited period, and this coverage usually lasts 12 months or 12,000 miles. 
• Vehicle type: Most laws apply to cars and trucks for personal or household use, though a few states also cover motorcycles, boats, RVs, or ATVs.
• Number of repairs: States limit the chances a manufacturer or dealer gets to fix the problem. In many places, four attempts are considered “reasonable.”

Endnote

These laws are for drivers’ safety and ensuring that the product they buy lives up to the investment they made. Knowing the type of lemon laws helps you figure out what protections you are eligible for and whether you need to file a claim in case the car you bought keeps giving you trouble.