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Lemon Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Lemon Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Is it legal to see a car with recalls and not let the buyer know?

I bought the car back in 2017 from a dealership and just recently found out it has 4 recalls on it and I was not told it had recalls on it some that are very scary. If someone can advise me on what to do next. Thank you.

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Sep 13, 2023

Of course, as a concerned buyer, buying a vehicle, you will want to look into that history before buying. A new car may NOT be sold with an open recall at all. A used one can. DUTY to disclose? That's another question, but, again, when spending that kind of money on a vehicle, it is wise, as... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Lemon Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Is it legal to see a car with recalls and not let the buyer know?

I bought the car back in 2017 from a dealership and just recently found out it has 4 recalls on it and I was not told it had recalls on it some that are very scary. If someone can advise me on what to do next. Thank you.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 13, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In California, while there is no specific law requiring a private seller to inform a buyer about the recalls on a vehicle at the time of sale, dealers are generally required to fix outstanding recalls before selling a used car. To address this, you might... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Small Claims for North Carolina on
Q: Can I keep progressive from cutting a total loss check to the but here pay here lender who has now sold the contract?

My sister bought a car at a buy here pay here lot in Waynesville, NC.

It was totaled on July 24th. Dealer notified who agreed to write off any amount owed as long as it was close to her payoff $3800. He then told Progressive her payoff was $4500.

Nevertheless, 8 days later a third... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Aug 22, 2023

YOU can't do anything about this unless you have a power of attorney from your sister. Your sister needs to demand written proof from the third party finance company who claims they hold the contract, by getting their name, mailing address and loan number and mailing them a letter asking for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Lemon Law for Tennessee on
Q: US Auto Sales went bankrupt soon after selling me a dangerous mechanical failing car. What can I do

Westlake portfolio says I have to keep paying to keep my credit up and they will do nothing about it... I don't have thousands of dollars to fix an issue that I should have been aware of when signing for the car... I never signed a contract with Westlake, only us auto... This seems very messed... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 4, 2023

West probably bought the note or was even the original lender. Read whatever paperwork you have on the finance. You signed the note, and that has nothing to do with the car. You might be able to file a Notice of Exempt Property if they sue you, or CH 7 Bankruptcy. How do you know US went... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability and Lemon Law for Minnesota on
Q: Wondering if I could sue a dealership if I’ve had to replace my transmission 2 times within a year

I’ve had to replace my transmission now 2 different times in 10 months of owning my 2018 Ford Expedition. My first replacement was $5,200 and then 1 1/2 months later the transmission went out and now they are working on it again

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 24, 2023

Yes, you can sue a dealership if you have had to replace your transmission 2 times within a year. Whether you will be successful depends on the facts and your presentation. You don't mention anything about any written agreements.

Allowing an attorney to evaluate, organize and draft...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I file a consumer complaint if a brand new car had problems

I purchased a new 2021 Jetta in April 2021. In September 2022 during regular oil change the dealer told me the rear brakes were down to a 1 which was really odd for a brand new car with less than 15000 miles.

They also said VW won't cover the repairs since it was just outside the... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 13, 2023

Go the the Maryland MVA website and look up dealership complaints. They have an entire complaint process for consumers who have issues with dealerships. In addition, some counties, such as Montgomery County, have rather robust consumer affairs offices that deal with car dealership and repair... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law, Contracts and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Can an warranty company refuse to pay repairs although repairs are covered under warranty?

Bought a box truck from Ryder. They don't want to cover repairs for the truck because of "contaminated fuel". Although they covered repairs multiple times before and no where in the contract does it state no coverage for contaminated fuel.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jun 13, 2023

The issue is whether the warranty is voided due to your wrongdoing (either intentional or negligent), if any, that caused the damage/issue triggering the need the repair. One issue is the contract language itself, and another issue is the fact issue of whether you actually committed the act or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for Michigan on
Q: I purchased a new car and its had a very high pitched squeak that has persisted since I recieved the car.

It has gotten worse since I have gotten it. I wouldn't be concerned if the dealer could diagnose the issue. I am concerned it may become an issue down the road. Do I have a case under Lemon Law.

Adam Alexander
Adam Alexander
answered on May 8, 2023

You can begin Michigan's Lemon Law process after 3 repair attempts for the same defect/condition and/or 25 days out of service within the first year from delivery. To set yourself up correctly to get your vehicle repurchased, avoid these 5 errors:

5 critical errors consumers make when...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Lemon Law and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: What is the max amount of mental anguish can I sue for? The cost of the vehicle was $8590.50, in my suit what is the

maximum amount of economic damages I can sue for? In my demand letter can I ask for double the cost of the truck back or in my suit if it goes to court? I am prepared to send my demand letter today, I am just unsure of all the damages I can ask to recover. I am doing this without an attorney so I... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 5, 2023

You can ask for whatever amount you like. Awards of damages for mental anguish vary depending upon the facts and circumstances presented by the evidence to the jury.

A decent rule of thumb for settlement purposes is no more than 1.5x the amount of your medical expenses for whatever bodily...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Lemon Law for New Hampshire on
Q: i bought a truck with a rotten frame

also my contract was not right and also they had a vsi on there for 125 which that is what I thought but find out it is for 27 months never was told this also the whole contract did not make sense the money on the paper were not right just a lot wrong with this whole deal I stop paying after 5... View More

William J. Amann
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answered on Apr 4, 2023

New cars and other new motor vehicles are covered by manufacturers' warranties. These warranties must follow the rules set by the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) (refer to the section on Warranties for more information). The manufacturer's warranty... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Products Liability, Car Accidents and Lemon Law for Florida on
Q: Do I have a case?

I purchased a used truck about 1.5 years ago from a dealer. When asked about prior damage if any the dealer told me there was only minor. The car fax report only shows minor as well. While I was under the truck checking the size of the spare tire I noticed there is frame damage on the left rear. I... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 5, 2023

Regardless of liability or lack thereof, your first step is to get a written repair estimate, then demand that the dealer pay it, and if they balk, say you're planning to take legal action. That may or may not work, but there's no downside to doing it. That said, whether the dealer is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning, Landlord - Tenant and Lemon Law for California on
Q: Can owners take HOA to court?

HOA is charging $50 per day a unit is rented without HOA consent. The waiting list to rent has not changed for close to ten years or so. CCR has a waiver, but HOA refuses to consider it. Our daughter was born premature and has a respiratory health issue. The complex prohibits smoking in the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2023

Yes, owners have the right to take their HOA to court if they feel that the HOA has violated their rights or breached their obligations under the governing documents, such as the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) and bylaws.

In the scenario you described, it seems that the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Massachusetts on
Q: i financed a car

i financed a car on 1/20/23 had it in my possesion for 6 hrs and engine cut out oil spilling everywhere had it towed back to dealership same night was given a rental for 3 weeks dealership called me and said they had another car to offer and said 2500 would go to new car for trade in they made of... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Feb 22, 2023

This should be covered by the Massachusetts Used Car Lemon Law. This explains it in more detail than I can in a Q&A forum like this one: https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-used-vehicle-warranty-law You should call the hotline phone number listed n the website and explain the situation to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Libel & Slander for Texas on
Q: My dealer sold me a lemon. Is it legal to drive my car with painted messages on my doors "parkplace sold me this lemon"?

Have tried to resolve amicably. Car in shop 26 days out of the 45 I have owned it. Since it was purchased with 1000 miles CPO "as is" it does not qualify for buyback according to MBUSA.

I spent 130k and car does not drive nice. So while I prepare a lawsuit, want to paint on car,... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 28, 2023

Since a car can only be a “lemon” if it was purchased new, you could be sued for business disparagement if your sign deters a prospective customer from purchasing a car from the dealership.

Most used cars are sold as-is, meaning the buyer is not relying on anything the seller may have...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: I have a Sleep Number be which has been broken for over a year. "Parts are backordered" Is there a law about reasonable

time to repair? Any code to force them to repair or replace within a certain amount of time?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 20, 2023

In California, there are laws and regulations that protect consumers' rights when it comes to product warranties and repairs. The specific law that may apply to your situation is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as the California Lemon Law.

Under this law, if a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Michigan on
Q: Is the owner of the dealership responsible for the seller's actions? If so, where could I find this law for court?

I recently bought a car from a used car dealership in MI that was greatly misrepresented. The seller was just a guy who the owner was allowing to sell cars out of his dealership, not an employee. After many issues, I sued the person and the dealership, and the seller has since fled the country. Is... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 17, 2023

Do you have a judgment against the seller? If you do, you may be precluded from now going after the dealer because generally you need to bring in everyone you can when you first file an action. If you don't have a judgment, you will need to somehow legally tie the dealer to the seller.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Lemon Law for Utah on
Q: Is it legal to deny a person a foreign vehicle when applying for an auto loan?

I bought a vehicle from a dealership 6 months ago I just found out a week and a half ago that the vehicle they sold me was stolen they told me to bring back the vehicle and they would get me a new vehicle and now when I put my application in I was told that I don't qualify for European... View More

Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
answered on Dec 6, 2022

I am not aware of a law preventing a specific individual from owning a foreign car. Some foreign cars will have difficulty being imported to the US without a lot of paperwork, but I can't imagine how a particular individual would be prevented from making a purchase.

Also, it is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I bought a brand new Toyota Corolla in January of this year and water leaks into it every time it rains. Is this a lemon

My car smells like mildew every time it rains and it’s not even a year old. Water is leaking in from the lights on the roof in the front passenger side.

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Nov 21, 2022

I'm assuming that you purchased the vehicle as new from a Puerto Rico car dealer. Have you taken the car back to the dealer to have it serviced? Under the Puerto Rico Consumer Affairs Department ("DACO", by its Spanish acronym) regulations, you have 3 years or 36,000 miles as the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: Can I file suit on a dealership that sold me a lemon car and that knowingly was being deceitful about car repairs
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 11, 2022

Yes, if you purchased a new automobile from a dealership, you may be able to file a "Lemon Law" complaint. The complaint procedure is overseen by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

The requirements and procedure are described in layman's terms on its website at...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for California on
Q: I purchased a pre-owned vehicle with time remaining on the New Vehicle Warranty but denied coverage by a service center.

The New Vehicle Warranty is transferable. I participated in an arbitration and the manufacturer was ordered to repair the car. The manufacturer has blacklisted the car, preventing any service done to the car including recall repairs, can't even make a service appointment. Since I've... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Nov 10, 2022

You have quite a few issues here in your post. There are quite a few legal issues as well that relate. The biggest issue right now is there's a recent case in California that says used cars are no longer covered by the lemon law. A good lemon law attorney can probably find a way around that... View More

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