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California Lemon Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: When does lemon law apply in California? Is a used car covered?
Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Jan 14, 2019

Lemon Law is Warranty Law. So, cars that come with a warranty may be covered IF that warranty is breached. This is not the same as a "service contract" that you buy from a dealer or elsewhere, which folks often call an "extended warranty." Your rights are almost non existant in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Purchasing new vehicle from a dealer that I suspect has been damaged and repaired, I asked, are they required to answer?

Tesla Dealership, I have asked if it had been previously owned or repaired, they are not answering, are they required to?

Barak J Berlin
Barak J Berlin
answered on Oct 9, 2018

They are absolutely required to answer your question. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you powerful remedies.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Can a dealer sell me a new fifth wheel without disclosing to me it was a prototype at the factory? I can't resell it now
William John Light
William John Light
answered on Sep 24, 2018

It's unclear why you can't sell it. However, you should consult with WA consumer rights attorneys. You can also file a complaint with the WA DMV. https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/vehiclevesseldealer/dlrcomplaint.html

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Sold new vehicle but malfunctioning airbag and was told to keep driving the vehicle.

Bought a Subaru new. I made an inquiry via text the next day that I am concerned about its airbag safety after seeing an airbag warning light and an email from Subaru to get it inspected. I got text back saying it was safe to drive. I kept driving it but after 4 weeks, I decided to take the vehicle... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 19, 2018

Take the offer. You have no injuries and no basis to sue.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Products Liability and Lemon Law for California on
Q: My car was wrecked by the dealership after 1 week of purchase, is there anything I can do for them to refund me?

Purchased a car (2015, clean carfax) 5 days later it wouldn't start, had it towed back. The next day after I got it back, it was making a noise, took it back. Was told parts were put on wrong. On my way to pick it up, they called and said it was in an accident not to worry about it they will... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 26, 2018

Contact a lemon law attorney, but I don't believe that being in an accident makes a car a "lemon". That usually refers to a defect that can't be repaired after more than one attempt.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: hello i need a lawyer to sue bmw for violating the automatic stay by disabling my car an repo man break the fuse box
William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 25, 2017

Talk to your bankruptcy attorney or the bankruptcy trustee.

3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Will bankruptcy affect my lemon law case if I include the vehicle the case is for in the bankruptcy?
Harlene Miller
Harlene Miller
answered on Nov 29, 2017

If you filed a chapter 7, your lemon law case is an asset that must be listed in Schedule B. The vehicle itself is also an asset and must be listed in that schedule as well. Hopefully, you have a bankruptcy attorney that is assisting you with your case who can advise you regarding the related... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Do product defects that require recalls on cars fall under the scope of lemon law if the car is rendered undrivable?
Robert P. Cogan
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answered on Aug 9, 2017

To fall under the scope of the lemon law, a car must be a lemon. The general idea is that a car is a lemon if it cannot be fixed with a reasonable degree of effort. The actual definition of a lemon in the lemon law is complicated. If the car can be repaired in one servicing, it may well not be a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Is legal for me to record an in person conversation where a dealerships personal admits performing an illegal repair?

If they don't know I'm recording

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 25, 2017

No, under CA law. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Lemon Law, Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for California on
Q: I got a used car financed and got into a car accident two days after had no insurance? What can I do?

the sales agent told me I just need to show them an insurance policy & that it didnt matter if it I wasnt under my name because it wasnt going to be used for actual insurance for my vehicle its just for me to take the car & that I had 7 days to get insurance in the car. right before my... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jul 25, 2017

If you have no car insurance, you may have to personally pay for the damages. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: How many times do I have to get a car fixed before it's considered a lemon?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jun 25, 2017

Is it a new car? Is there a warranty? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Problems with my car came up about a month after sale - how long do I have to complain?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on May 16, 2017

Is it a new or used car, with or without warranty? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Collections and Lemon Law for California on
Q: If a lady sold me a motorcycle for $6,000 in California but wants $10,000 after she wrote 6 on the title, Can she sue me

She gave me the title saying 6,000 and reported it to DMV as that. I than took it to dmv and changed the title into my name. Now she wants payments to make it 10,000 over venmo and take me to court if I do not give her 2,500 by tomorrow. She says that the agreement was over text but she has to... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 27, 2017

It depends on the contract you made. Was she trying to defraud DMV and the IRS by stating a lower amount on the title, with or without your consent? Did you agree to pay her $10,000? Text messages can be subpoenaed from the service provider.

See:...
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Bought a car with a bill of sale & it was impounded the following day so owner had to get it & doesnt want to take the

money he paid at the impound for me to get the car back or give me the difference of what i paid for it. Can i still go to the DMV register it with the bill of sale and then reported stolen?

Manuel Alzamora Juarez
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answered on Apr 4, 2017

No. You will get yourself into trouble.

What is happening here is that the previous owner is still the title owner. You are the title holder. However, until you register the car in your name and buy insurance for the car, the previous owner is responsible for any damages you may cause to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: How do I get compensated if I lease my car, but it's a lemon?
Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Mar 10, 2017

There are many lawyers in Southern California who are experienced in Lemon Law issues.

If I had more information, I could provide a more specific response. For example, did you lease a new car? From a dealership? If so, you can go to the dealership and request to speak with the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Hello. I would like to know if you can file a complaint against the bbb in your state? If so, whom would I contact?

Faulty arbitration results in my loss. Severe weather preventing me from demonstrating my case due to safety concern. Please reply respectfully.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Mar 1, 2017

You can sue such a company in civil court if you have a valid factual and legal basis. You may be able to appeal the arbitration decision as well, depending on the arbitration agreement terms. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Do lemon laws apply if I bought the car used from a friend?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 18, 2017

See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/pdf_files/englemn.pdf

Typically if you bought a used car from an individual, that car is purchased as-is with no warranties, so lemon laws don't apply. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Settlement from lemon law buyback is deducting gap and warranty??? in CA is that right?

Back in 2015 i cancelled the GAP and portfolio warranty on my 2013 nissan sentra. This week im working on a buyback settlement with nissan and they are deducting the gap and warranty from my settlement check.Why would i have to pay back if i cancelled a year ago.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 17, 2017

See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/pdf_files/englemn.pdf

If you were not paying for the warranty and gap insurance, why should you be reimbursed for it? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney....
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: My car is pretty new but is not running well. Is there a time limit on lemon laws?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 7, 2017

See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/pdf_files/englemn.pdf

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/...
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for California on
Q: Is an electric dirt bike a vehicle that is covered by California lemon laws?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 6, 2017

See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/pdf_files/englemn.pdf

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/...
View More

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