How Long Does a Lemon Law Case Take?

Maybe you have been driving a car that seems like it spends more time getting repaired than actually driving it. You finally muster up the courage to call a lemon lawyer to explore your options. Naturally, one of the first questions you wonder about is “How long will this take?” There are several possibilities of how long your case may take.

First, you need to make sure that you have all of your car’s repair records, purchase/lease agreement, and current registration. Those records are crucial for the attorney to make a demand to buy back your car. Manufacturers will often reject or offer a small amount to you if you do not have all of your records. Having all of your records paints the entire picture which explains why you have a lemon and the manufacturer should repurchase your car. Also, keeping all of the records and getting them to your attorney will allow your attorney to send out the demand to buy back the car faster. This avoids the delay of waiting to get those records so they can be included in the demand.

Second, after you have provided all of your repair records to the attorney, a demand can be sent out to the manufacturer. Although manufacturers can respond sooner, it is common for a manufacturer to respond to the demand within 30-45 days. The common manufacturer responses are: (1) the manufacturer requests additional information or requests more time to consider the demand for a repurchase; (2) the manufacturer offers to buy back your car; (3) the manufacturer offers to pay you a cash settlement (which means you keep your car); (4) the manufacturer rejects your demand to buy back your car. The more severe the problems/defects that plague your car and jeopardize your safety, the more likely the manufacturer will offer you a repurchase.

If you are fortunate to receive an offer to repurchase your lemon, the process generally takes three (3) to five (5) months from start to finish. This process used to be a bit faster but with the onset of COVID-19, manufacturers have delayed the process. On the other hand, if you are offered a cash offer and do not accept that offer, it is important to continue to take your car into the dealership whenever it has problems. Getting additional repair orders which show that your car continues to break down is ammunition to your demand for a repurchase of your vehicle. This approach also applies to situations when the manufacturer rejects your demand.

If you are still at it after the manufacturer has refused to buy back your car, the next option is litigation. This is the actual filing of a lawsuit in court. Prior to the pandemic, the timeline to getting your case to trial was generally a year after filing the lawsuit. However, the pandemic has changed those timelines. The cases have been delayed since it has been challenging to get juries to report for jury duty. This is likely to change soon since it now appears that the pandemic is getting under control. Do not be discouraged though. Most cases are settled before going to trial. That means that you may have to file a lawsuit but there is a good chance that it will settle before trial.

All of these factors reinforce four important tips that will help you get a buy back before filing a lawsuit. Those include:

  1. Take The Car In Every Time You Have A Problem
  1. Take Pictures or Videos of the Problem
  1. Read The Work Order/Repair Estimates That The Dealership Gives To You Before The Dealer Works on Your Car to Make Sure the Problem is on the Records
  1. Get All Repair Orders From the Dealership After Work is Performed

If you have leased or own a vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty and has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Infiniti Recalls Nearly 13,000 Vehicles Because of Defect That Can Cause Q40 and Q50 Vehicles to Stall and Possibly Crash

Infiniti has issued recall for nearly 13,000 Infiniti Q50 and Q60 cars because it has been determined that the engines can lose power when the cars are in limp-mode. The problem causes the cars to stall based on the lack of fuel supply going to the car’s engine. Infiniti has stated that this problem due to a software issue. This defect is a serious issue that can cause the affected vehicles to lose power or stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

One symptom that drivers should pay attention to is if there is reduced power or if a warning light comes on.

This problem is being investigated by Infiniti and that investigation was started in February 2021 as a result of multiple complaints about constant warning lights, the reduced or lack of engine power and the stalling of the vehicle.

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 and Q60 recall is expected to begin on May 25, 2021, when dealerships will reprogram the software to fix this defect.

For more information about the recalls, Infiniti has set up a call-in number related to this problem (800-662-6200). Callers are encouraged to use the recall number R20C5 when calling.

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Nissan that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator Recalls More Than 42,000 Vehicles Because of Part that May Overheat and Cause Fires

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued another recall for Jeep Wrangler models because of defective clutch pressure plates. This defective part can overheat and cause a fire. The defect can also damage other nearby components which can result in debris falling on the road or loss of control which can lead to a crash. This recall relates to the 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator models. This is the second recall for the same issue. The previous recall was issued in March 2020.

For more information about the recalls, the NHTSA has set up an alert with information for customers affected by this problem.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/JEEP/WRANGLER/SUV/4WD%252520Later%252520Release#recalls

Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator owners can expect to be contacted by Chrysler which is working on a software correction to fix the problem. Chrysler has ordered a stop sale for these affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. The recall started on March 4, 2021.

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Jeep, Dodge, or Chrysler that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Honda Recalls More Than 708,000 Vehicles Because of Defective Fuel Pumps

Honda has issued another recall for several Honda and Acura models because of defective fuel pumps. The most common problem caused by the defective fuel pump is the failure to start or the stalling of the engine. The defective fuel pump could cause the affected vehicles to lose power or stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Below is a list of cars that are included in the recall.

Honda Fuel Pump Recall

  • 2019-2020 Honda Accord
  • 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
  • 2019 Honda Civic Coupe and Si Coupe
  • 2019-2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
  • 2019 Honda Civic Sedan and Si Sedan
  • 2019 Honda Civic Type R
  • 2018-2019 Honda CR-V
  • 2019 Honda Fit
  • 2019 Honda HR-V
  • 2019-2020 Honda Insight
  • 2019 Honda Odyssey
  • 2019 Honda Passport
  • 2019 Honda Pilot
  • 2019 Honda Ridgeline

Acura Fuel Pump Recall

  • 2019 Acura ILX
  • 2019-2020 Acura MDX
  • 2019-2020 Acura MDX Hybrid
  • 2019-2020 Acura RDX
  • 2019-2020 Acura TLX

It is worth noting that Honda previously issued a recall for the same problem that affected more than 136,000 of the following vehicles in June 2020:

  • 2018-2019 Acura NSX
  • 2019 Acura RDX
  • 2019 Acura RLX
  • 2019 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
  • 2018-2019 Honda Accord
  • 2018-2019 Honda Civic Hatchback
  • 2018-2019 Honda Civic Type R
  • 2019 Honda Fit
  • 2018-2019 Honda HR-V
  • 2019-2020 Honda Insight

For more information about the recalls, Honda and Acura have set up a recall website confirming the fuel pump recall that was issued on March 25, 2021.

Honda and Acura owners can expect to receive recall notices near the end of May 2021. However, this is an issue that you should consult with a California Lemon Lawyer.

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Honda or Acura that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Ram Truck Fire Recalls for 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 Models

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler has issued a recall for Ram Trucks (2500, 3500, 4500, 5500) because of fires in the truck’s cabin. This defect poses a serious safety risk for drivers and passengers in these trucks and SUVs. The recall is issued for nearly 20,000 2021 Ram 2500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis with 6.7L Cummins engines. This may result in a serious injury to the driver, passenger or other people outside the vehicle

These engine compartment fires are possible because of electrical shorts inside the intake air heater relays even if the trucks are turned off. Currently, Chrysler/Ram does not know how to repair this problem. An investigation was opened in February 2021, after a trend of compartment fires. Based on the investigation, Chrysler has determined that trucks equipped with solid state intake heater grid relays have suffered the unexpected fires and that the intake air heater relays were the cause of all fires.

Truck owners should be aware that the fires can start with the ignition switch turned OFF or ON.

The Ram truck fire recall is expected to begin April 30, 2021, although the proposed fix is still being developed.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/RAM/4500#recalls

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Ram or Chrysler that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Top Four Problems Not Covered Under California’s Lemon Laws

You are at your breaking point with the car. It continues to break down on you and no matter how many times you take it in to get fixed, the problem returns. Below is a list of the top four problems/reasons why you may not have the protections of California’s Lemon Laws.

  1. Negligence – You Didn’t Take The Car In Every Time You Had A Problem

The car manufacturers usually describe this as “failure to properly maintain” the car. This means that you did not take the car in every time the “check engine” or “brake” lights came on. It can also mean that you did not take it in for service when it was needed. Although these are things that happen and your life is busy, the manufacturer will use it against you. The manufacturer will turn the tables and point the finger at you as the reason for the problems and why the car cannot be fixed. Always take the car in once you see a warning light and always use the dealership for service. This gives you a written record of the service and repair attempt and eliminates the manufacturer from pointing the finger at you.

  1. Outside Influence Caused Your Problem

This is another excuse that is used by manufacturers. This can range from something innocent like a rat getting into your engine compartment and damaging the wires which caused your problem. However, it can also extend to the manufacturer pointing the finger directly at you. In this case, the dealer is accusing you of causing the problem intentionally. The important part on this accusation is to take photographs, videos and take the car in whenever the problems occurs. If you see the term “outside influence” on your repair order, ask the service manager why that is included in the repair order. This has been used and will be continued to be used as an excuse to leave you with a lemon.

Just like you are frustrated with the fact that a dealership cannot fix your car with the same problem, the technicians get frustrated when they can’t fix the problem. Unfortunately, that means they will sometimes say that the problem “could not be duplicated” and claim that there is nothing wrong with the car. This practice makes it important to document the problem before the car goes back to the dealership for the same problem. The easiest way to do that is to take pictures of the warning lights on the dashboard or take a video that shows the problem. That is evidence that shows that there is still a problem that has not been fixed.

  1. Read The Work Order/Repair Estimates That The Dealership Gives To You Before The Dealer Works on Your Car

It is very important to make sure that the service advisor includes all complaints on the work order or repair estimate. If you have brought the car in for the same problem before and it is one of the issues raised in your visit, make sure that is included in the work order. Otherwise, the manufacturer might claim that the car was not brought back for the same defect. Dealerships will sometimes look at a problem on a “good will” basis and try to fix it. You want the dealership to document the problem so it is clear that you have a lemon. Remember, the dealership and the manufacturer are not the same. The dealerships are authorized to work on the manufacturer’s car and get paid for it. So if there is not a record of the same repair, the manufacturer will not know that the dealer “fixed” it for you on a good will basis. The manufacturer will think that the problem has not happened as often as you experienced it.

  1. Get All Repair Orders From the Dealership After Work is Performed

Under California law, you must receive a copy of every repair order that shows the work performed on your car. (California Code of Regulations section 3356). These repair orders are critical when requesting a manufacturer to repurchase your car. They show that the car was worked on for the same problem but could never fix it. It is important to keep these records since each repair attempt matters and could make the difference in the manufacturer’s decision to repurchase your car or reject your request for a repurchase. Like the good will repairs, it is important to have a record of all repairs performed on your car. Even though you brought it in, do not assume that the manufacturer will accept it. Manufacturers always require records. That is why it is important to keep all repair records and make sure that they are accurate. This helps your chances for a manufacturer agreeing to buy back your car.

If you have leased or own a vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty and has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

How Do I Know if My Car is a Lemon?

This is probably the first question that came to mind before you searched the internet for answers. At this point, you have already been frustrated by taking your car back to the dealership to get it repaired but the problem cannot be fixed.

Under California’s Lemon Laws, the manufacturer is legally required to repurchase or buyback your vehicle if it could not be fixed after a “reasonable number of repair opportunities.” In other words, there is not a set number of repair attempts that you must endure before your vehicle qualifies as a lemon. One important factor to remember is the seriousness of the problem and the safety risk that the problem creates. The more serious the problem, the fewer repair attempts needed.

Most Common Safety Problems for a Lemon

Below is a short list of the most common safety issues that limit you from using your car safely or as it was intended when the manufacturer put it out for sale.

  • Engine Problems (engine failures and malfunction, transmission failure, radiator failure, sudden power loss, etc.)
  • Electrical and computer systems
  • Suspension Problems
  • Airbags and seat belt failures
  • Brake failures and problems
  • Accelerator failures
  • Power steering failures

While these are safety features crucial to the vehicle’s operation, if your warranty covers features like the vehicle’s air conditioning, heaters.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Still Under Manufacturer Warranty

To qualify as a lemon under California’s Lemon Laws, your car must still be under the manufacturer’s warranty. That applies even if you leased a car or purchased a used vehicle. As long as the manufacturer’s warranty is still in effect, and your vehicle suffers from one of the problems listed above, you may be entitled the protections of California’s Lemon Laws.

If you have leased or own a vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty and have questions to determine if you have a lemon, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Mercedes Safety Recall for GLE-Class and GLS-Class SUVs

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for approximately 45,000 Mercedes-Benz GLE450, GLE350, and 2020 GLS450, GLE580 and GLS580 SUVs because of safety concerns when these vehicles are using defensive maneuvers to avoid harm. The defect may cause the vehicle to pull to one side. This often happens when a driver is forced to make a quick turn which then results in uneven torque applied which causes the vehicle to pull to one side. Mercedes-Benz indicated that the supplier made mistakes when developing the stability program software which doesn’t meet specifications.

This was issued on February 12, 2021 and identifies 21V071000 as the campaign number.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/MERCEDES-BENZ/GLE-CLASS/SUV/RWD#recalls

The recall is expected to begin on April 13, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 800-367-6372.

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Mercedes-Benz that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Hiring a Lemon Lawyer vs. Handling a Lemon Law Claim on Your Own

Some people wonder if it is worth hiring a Lemon Lawyer to help with the problems they are having with their car. The frustration of having to deal with the same problem over and over without it ever being fixed grows. This raises the question of whether you should contact the manufacturer on your own or if you should hire a lawyer to help you.

Why Hiring a Lemon Law Attorney Makes Sense

Although you might believe that you do not need a lawyer to help you, there are a number of factors that you should consider before handling a lemon law claim on your own.

  1. Having an experienced attorney that is familiar with the lemon laws (Song-Beverly Act and Tanner Act) will help give you the best chance of getting the best result. The details of each lemon law claim can be unique but an experienced attorney can focus on the areas that present the best case possible for you.
  2. Hiring an attorney also helps you let go of some of the frustration that you experience during the process. The attorney and staff will communicate with the manufacturer. This takes you out of the process, particularly when the manufacturer is delaying or denying any claim made by you.
  3. An attorney also has previously dealt with the representatives for the manufacturer. In most cases, you will not have prior experience working with the manufacturer which can result in the manufacturer denying or delaying your claim. The manufacturer may not refund you the correct amounts that are owed under California’s Lemon Laws.
  4. An attorney will be aware of legal deadlines related to your claim, the calculation of mileage offsets, and other expenses that should be reimbursed. Finally, having an attorney sends a message to the manufacturer that you are serious about pursuing your claim. The manufacturer will know that if the claim is denied that the attorney will continue to pursue it, including all the way to court.
  5. The attorney will often have an expert to evaluate the prior repairs and condition of your vehicle to confirm what problems exist if the manufacturer denies your claim.

When Handling a Lemon Law Claim on Your Own Makes Sense

If the manufacturer has already offered to repurchase your vehicle, you may not need an attorney. However, you should be mindful of the deductions that the manufacturer will deduct from the amount refunded to you and an attorney is aware of the formulas that are used to calculate those deductions. You may want to consider having an attorney review the repurchase offer to make sure that the deductions claimed by the manufacturer are correct.

Ready to Take Your Case to Court

At Mark Charles Law, APC, we are willing to represent you in court and take your case to trial if necessary. We start each case with the intent on getting an early resolution of your claim without going to court because that saves you the time and the headache of a lawsuit. However, we will continue to fight if the manufacturer wrongfully denies your claim and forces the case to court.

If you have leased or own a car that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.

Buick, GM, Chevy, and Cadillac Issues Recall for Defective Fuel Pumps That May Cause Car to Suddenly Stall

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM has issued a recall for Buick, GM, Chevy and Cadillac vehicles because of a defective fuel pump. This defect poses a serious safety risk for drivers and passengers in these trucks and SUVs. This defect can cause the vehicle to suddenly stall without warning which can cash a crash. This may result in a serious injury to the driver, passenger or other people outside the vehicle.

Below is a list of the vehicles that were recalled for this problem:

  • 2020 Buick Enclave
  • 2020 Cadillac XT5
  • 2020 Cadillac XT6
  • 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
  • 2020 GMC Acadia

The recall number for this defect is 20V639000

This recall is something that all drivers should know about. Under the Song-Beverly Act, car manufacturers are required to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to repurchase or “buy back” (in a few instances replace the defective car) cars that the company is unable or unwilling to fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

If you have leased or own one of the vehicles listed above or another Buick, GM, Chevy and Cadillac that has had a number of repair attempts by the dealer but the problem still exists, you need a Pasadena Lemon Lawyer to help you. Don’t let the manufacturer take advantage of you and allow you to continue to drive the defective and unsafe vehicle you are driving.

Mark Charles Law, APC is located in Los Angeles County and Pasadena. Call us at (626) 844-7710 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.