Lemon Law Attorney in San Jose, California
We Defend Your California Consumer Rights in San Jose
San Jose Lemon Law Attorneys
With its sprawling urban layout, San Jose is a town best navigated by car. Not to mention, owning a reliable car in San Jose provides access to its neighboring tech hubs, Santa Cruz beaches, and the nearby vineyards of Napa Valley. If your car is giving you trouble in San Jose, it can cause more than just a bad day — it can disrupt your livelihood or cut into your free time. If you keep taking your car to the repair shop for the same problem over and over again — even though it’s under warranty — you might have unknowingly purchased a lemon. But remember: as a California consumer, you have rights.
Since it’s not realistic to expect every new car to be perfect right off the dealership lot, California has implemented laws to protect consumers who end up with lemons. In other words, if you’ve bought a lemon, it’s not the end of the road.
Our team of San Jose lemon lawyers at Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP is here to help.
With over $100 million recovered for our clients, lemon law claims are our specialty. We know California’s lemon laws well, and we aren’t afraid to stand up to big car makers. Fighting for our clients’ rights is what we do. You can count on us to get you the money you legally deserve.
The Lemon Law in San Jose, California
The California lemon law is designed to protect consumers who end up purchasing one of the 150,000 defective vehicles, or lemons, manufactured every year. Known as the Song-Beverly Act, this law requires manufacturers to refund or replace goods that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. If you live in or near San Jose, you are protected by one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the United States. This law gives you the legal right to demand compensation from the manufacturer of your defective vehicle.
The Fresno lemon law attorneys at Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP are well-versed in California lemon law and can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
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What to Do When You Have a Lemon in San Jose
Remember to act quickly if you notice a defect in your warrantied vehicle. Take it to a certified repair shop authorized by the car’s manufacturer immediately. Quick action is crucial not only because it is unsafe to operate a defective vehicle, but also because having documentation of the issue will greatly help in filing a successful lemon law claim. The repair shop at the dealership where you purchased your vehicle — or any certified dealership of your car’s make — is the best place to go for repairs.
To officially deem your car a lemon, there must have been multiple failed repair attempts by a certified mechanic. If the defect in your car is serious enough to cause injury or death, only two repair attempts will be required. If the recurring issue isn’t life-threatening, you’ll need to allow four repair attempts by the dealer before you can take legal action. Furthermore, if your car has been in the repair shop for more than 30 days, regardless of the number of repair attempts made, it is considered a lemon.
Throughout the repair process, be persistent about securing documentation of the issue and repair attempts made. This evidence will be invaluable in proving your lemon law claim. Once you’ve determined that your vehicle is a lemon and have the necessary evidence, it’s time to take legal action. Contact a San Jose lemon law lawyer from Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP. Our skilled and experienced team will guide you on the next steps to take, confirm the viability of your lemon law claim, and help you get started on the claims process.
How Our San Jose Lemon Law Firm Can Help You
If your car is experiencing repeated issues and qualifies as a lemon, you have the undeniable right to maximum compensation. When you ask Golden Lemon for help, you’re one step closer to a full cash refund or a brand-new replacement vehicle. The team of lemon law lawyers at Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP is comprised of California’s foremost lemon law experts. We recognize that purchasing a vehicle is one of the most significant and costly investments of your life. If your investment turns out to be a lemon, be assured that we are well-equipped to assist you. We have successfully recovered over $100 million for our clients — and we will do the same for you.
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Most Common Lemon Vehicles in San Jose
It’s a fact that not all cars are created equal, and certain manufacturers are known for producing more unreliable vehicles than others. Here is a list of some of the most common “lemon” vehicles in San Jose:
Most Unreliable Car Makes in San Jose:
- General Motors- 29% of lemon law claims filed
- Fiat Chrysler- 17% of lemon law claims filed
- Ford Motor Company- 13.5% of lemon law claims filed
- Nissan North America- 12.6% of lemon law claims filed
Most Unreliable Car Models in San Jose:
- 2022 Ford Explorer
- 2022 Ford Mustang
- 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2022 Chrysler Pacifica
Some Other Unreliable Manufacturers to Watch Out For
- Fiat
- Cadillac
- Porsche
- Jeep
- Volkswagen
- Subaru
- Tesla
Common Defects in Lemon Vehicles
If you’re having ongoing issues with your vehicle that is still under warranty, it might be a lemon. But what kind of defects should you be on the lookout for? Here are some of the most common issues found in lemon vehicles in San Jose:
Most Common Lemon Defects in San Diego:
- Steering Issues: Difficulties in steering can be dangerous, particularly in high-traffic areas or when driving long distances.
- Electrical System Malfunctions: Issues with the vehicle's electrical components, including dashboard controls, power windows, or entertainment systems.
- Sudden Acceleration: Unintended and sudden speed increases, which may lead to collisions.
- Seat Belt Malfunction: Inability to fasten seat belts or failure during an accident.
- Airbag Problems: Failure to deploy or improper deployment of airbags.
- Brake System Defects: Any problems with the brakes are critical, especially when driving at accelerated speeds on busy roads.
- Seat Belt Malfunction: Seat Belts that cannot be properly fastened or that fail to work in the case of an accident reduce the safety of your vehicle and qualify it as a lemon.
- Airbag Issues: If your airbags fail to deploy or do so improperly, your car may be defective.
If your vehicle is showing potentially life-threatening defects, act especially quickly. Take it to a repair shop and reach out to a lemon law attorney right away to prevent any harm to yourself or other occupants.
What Are You Entitled to If Your Car is a Lemon in San Jose?
If the car you purchased turns out to be a lemon, you are entitled to compensation. There are several ways you may be compensated for your defective vehicle. While the actual amount varies by case, it could be as much as three times the total amount you paid for the vehicle. It is difficult to estimate an exact dollar amount for lemon law claims because each case is unique. However, understanding the way compensation is calculated may provide more accurate insight.
Typically, in California, compensation is calculated in a few different ways:
Refunds (Buybacks)
One option available to lemon victims is a vehicle refund or buyback. In this scenario, all fees related to your purchase will be refunded, covering everything from sales tax to license and registration fees to financing charges.
Replacement Vehicles
If you enjoyed your car before the defect arose, you can also opt to receive a vehicle replacement from the manufacturer. The new vehicle must be substantially similar to your original one, and the manufacturer must cover all taxes and fees associated with the sale. If you financed your lemon, you will likely continue to pay off your loan as if you never received a new vehicle.
Civil Penalties
In cases where the manufacturer knowingly violated California’s lemon law, you may also be entitled to payments from civil penalties. These penalties can be worth up to twice the value of your refund or replacement if deemed valid. Proving this may be challenging, but certainly not impossible. Contact a San Jose lemon law attorney early to increase your chances of recovering civil penalties.
Attorney’s Fees
Good news for those who are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer: in California, the vehicle’s manufacturer is required to cover attorney’s fees in successful lawsuits. At Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP, we firmly believe that consumers should never have to pay for legal fees out-of-pocket, so we go a step further. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t have to pay us unless we win your case.
Curious about the potential value of your lemon law claim? The most reliable way to get an accurate estimate is to contact a lemon law attorney in San Jose.
The Time Frame Of The Lemon Law Process in San Jose
Every lemon law case is unique. If you suspect that your car is a lemon but haven’t attempted more than one repair, it may take you longer to file your claim because you’ll need to make a few more repair attempts first. If you’ve already attempted several repairs, you’ll be able to jump right into the claims process with a lemon lawyer, which can take anywhere from 45 to 75 days to file. From there, you’ll have to wait for the manufacturer’s review of your claim, which can take several months. Finally, once the manufacturer has reviewed your claim, you will enter the resolution process, which can take from 90 to 180 days or more.
As you can see, the time it takes to win a lemon law claim varies on a case-by-case basis. However, initiating the process with a San Jose lemon lawyer early on will expedite the filing of your claim, ensuring you receive the compensation needed to move on in a timely manner.
How a Lemon Law Attorney Can Help?
If you’ve leased or purchased a faulty vehicle in the San Jose area and have made multiple unsuccessful attempts to repair a warranty issue at an authorized dealership, you are entitled to a full cash refund, cash compensation, or a brand-new replacement vehicle. Just remember: it can be challenging to obtain the full compensation you deserve without the assistance of an experienced San Jose lemon law lawyer. Auto manufacturers are backed by powerful legal teams with deep pockets. You don’t want to face them unprepared.
The highly skilled and assertive team of attorneys at Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP fearlessly confronts corporate automakers and has a proven track record of success. If you’ve got a lemon on your hands, don’t hesitate to reach out.
We handle lemon law cases all across California including San Jose
At Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP, our exceptional team of lemon law attorneys specializes in winning cases involving a wide range of manufacturers. Even if you don’t find your car’s make on this list, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re eager to provide you with top-notch legal advice — and chances are we have extensive experience with your lemon’s manufacturer.
Hire a Skilled San Jose Lemon Law Attorney for Your Claim
When life gives you a lemon, remember that you have rights.
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, rest assured that you are entitled to maximum compensation. At Golden Lemon, our adept team of attorneys, including San Jose’s top lemon law experts, will fight for your consumer rights. A car should be one of the most exciting financial investments you make — not a headache. With over $100 million recovered for our clients, we have the expertise to recover your money and peace of mind.
When you choose Golden Lemon by Compass Law Group, LLP, you choose:
- A team of expert lemon law attorneys
- A proven track record
- Zero upfront fees
- A stress-free experience