Is Your Car a Lemon?
When Life Gives You Lemons, Get a Lawyer
No matter where you are in California, we can help you get properly compensated for your “lemon.”
Sick and tired of spending time at the shop trying to get your new or usedAcura repaired? Have you wasted time and money and the car still has the same problem(s)? California’sLemon Law covers Acura vehicles and could be the path to either getting your money back or receiving a new vehicle!
In 1970, California enacted the Lemon Law to provide drivers with relief from persistent problems with their vehicles. What does the Lemon Law do? The simple answer: if you purchased or leased a new or used vehicle in California that is under a warranty and has had an ongoing problem or problems that a dealer has unsuccessfully attempted to fix over multiple repair visits, you may qualify for compensation. The California Lemon Law applies to cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, some business-owned vehicles, and boats. It applies to purchased or leased new vehicles. It also pertains to used vehicles that are certified pre-owned and/or still under a manufacturer’s warranty.
The manufacturer pays the Gayle Law Group PC when your case is resolved. You are never responsible for any legal fees.
Does My Ford Qualify As A Lemon?
There is no single or easy answer. The Lemon Law requires both a substantial defect and either that the vehicle is not repaired after multiple attempts to get it fixed or it has been at the dealership for many days cumulatively. Substantial defects impair the vehicle’s “use, value, and/or safety.”
- A defect that affects a vehicle’s use is one that prevents you from driving the vehicle as it was intended to be driven.
- A vehicle’s value is diminished when the defect means the vehicle won’t sell for the price it normally would bring – if the defect weren’t there.
- Safety defects are defects that put the driver, passengers, and other drivers in danger.
The problem does not have to be safety related to qualify. If your Ford has been ‘in the shop’ repeatedly and still has the same issue, it may be a lemon. If a defect involves a safety issue, such as faulty airbags, it may only require two repair attempts. If your Ford has been in ‘the shop’ for more than thirty days, cumulative, regardless of the defect(s), it may also qualify as a lemon. Some examples of problems in a Ford vehicle that could be considered substantial are problems involving:
- Brakes
- Engines
- Steering
- Electrical systems
- Suspension
- Air conditioning/heating systems
- Windows
- Transmissions
- Doors
- Back up cameras
- Water leaks
It is important to remember that your Ford does not have to be brand new or have incredibly low mileage to be protected. Even if your Ford has over 50,000 miles on it, if you took it in for repair while it was still under warranty it could still potentially be considered a lemon.
About Ford
Ford Motor Company is an iconic American Brand. Ford has been a leader in automotive technology for over 120 years – since Henry Ford built his first car in Detroit in 1896. Ford is a global company who employs over 175,000 people worldwide. They currently produce about 38 different models including commercial and performance vehicles. The most popular models include their F-Series trucks, the Focus, the Escape, the Mustang, and the Explorer. Ford is currently the highest-selling car brand in the United States.
Common Ford Vehicle Defects
Even though Ford has been manufacturing cars for well over 100 years, there is still the possibility that the car that you purchase or lease is a defective vehicle. Manufacturing mistakes or design issues can cause a Ford lemon car to end up in someone’s possession. There are numerous possible defects that could cause a Ford car to be considered a lemon. Some of the common defects that people have complained about with regard to their Ford vehicles include:
- Major oil leaks
- Power steering issues
- A/C and Ventilation issues
- Faulty spark plugs
- Doors coming off
- Serious engine issues
- Exhaust leaks
- Faulty gearshifts
Ford cars are generally known to be reliable with high safety ratings, but they still have had to issue numerous recalls over the years for safety-related and other reasons. Some of the recent recalls Ford has had to issue for some of their vehicles include:
- Faulty rearview cameras
- Sparks that could lead to fires
- Takata airbags could explode
- Leaking brake fluid that could result in brake failure
- Improperly secured wiring harness could lead to a potential fire
The most recent Ford recalls are for 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vehicles due to a deformed rear axle; and 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the battery cable wire harnesses were “improperly secured” – over time, the wire could cause a short-circuit, leading to a potential fire.
FAQs
The California Lemon Law Buyback for Ford vehicles is a program that allows consumers to receive compensation for a vehicle that is found to be a lemon. The compensation can include a refund of the purchase price, a replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.
Under the California Lemon Law for Ford vehicles, a vehicle is considered a lemon if it has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety and the defect cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under the California Lemon Law for Ford vehicles, a vehicle may be considered a lemon if it has been taken in for repairs four or more times for the same issue, or if it has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more. If it is a newer vehicle and has a life-threatening problem, fewer repair attempts may be required.
While it is not required to hire a lawyer to pursue a Lemon Law Buyback for your Ford vehicle in California, it is recommended to consult with a lemon law attorney to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available.
Through a Lemon Law Buyback for your Ford vehicle in California, you may be eligible for a refund of the purchase price, a replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.
Yes, you may still pursue a Lemon Law Buyback claim for your Ford vehicle in California even if the warranty has expired, as long as the issue occurred while the vehicle was still under warranty and you took it into a dealership for repair.
The Lemon Law Buyback process for your Ford vehicle in California can take several months, depending on the complexity of your case and the cooperation of the manufacturer.
Yes, if you pursue a Lemon Law Buyback claim for your Ford vehicle in California, you will need to return the vehicle to the manufacturer or their authorized representative.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, GET A LAWYER.
Is your car a lemon?No matter where you are in California, we can help you get properly compensated for your “lemon”.
Pay ZERO Fees. 100% Free Representation.About California Lemon Car Lawyer "Liz" Gayle
Liz Gayle is considered a top California Lemon Car Lawyer. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers get their lemon cars in California bought back by manufacturers. Also, as a former counsel to a major auto manufacturer and highly experienced California lemon law attorney, Ms. Gayle has extensive knowledge of California’s Lemon Law.
As a result, Liz Gayle is one of the most sought after Lemon Law Lawyers in California. A client-focused lawyer, Ms. Gayle has successfully handled cases for many clients – both owners of cars and those leasing vehicles.
Additionally, Ms. Gayle works directly with consumers to dispute cases with auto manufacturers and dealerships, concerning vehicles ranging from moderately priced domestic models to very exotic and expensive import autos or recreational vehicles. To learn more about lemon law attorney Liz Gayle, click here
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Proven Experience You Can Trust
Other lawyers may ask you to pay a retainer fee or tell you that they work on a contingency fee. Conversely, with Gayle Law Group, PC, the manufacturer pays your legal fees if your case is resolved. And if your case is not resolved, you are NOT responsible for any legal fees. So let California lemon car lawyer Liz Gayle fight for you!
If you have had several repair attempts and are still having issues with your Ford, there is no reason to suffer the stress any longer. Keep documentation of all repairs done – or attempted – to your Ford as well as every call and appointment you made. If you think your Ford may be a lemon, contact the Gayle Law Group, PC today for a FREE consultation. You will be treated with respect and your case will be taken seriously, no matter what the issue.
