If you’re in the market for an RV, you’re looking to buy a major and important purchase. A defective vehicle can be a burden, but what can you do? It’s important to know that a lot of RVs are sold every single year and malfunction. If you’re having issues with your RV, a California lemon law attorney may be able to help.
When shopping for a new or used RV, you want to make sure that you are investing in quality and safety, and that the company you purchase from will be there for repairs, should something go wrong. Unfortunately, there are some dealers out there that aren’t forthcoming about the defects of their vehicles, whether it is intentional or simply due to negligence.
Is An Rv Covered Under The Lemon Law?
If you’re in the market for a new RV and it turns out to be a lemon, there are legal remedies available to you. Even though some state lemon laws exclude recreational vehicles, you still have the opportunity to claim the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The law shields consumers from the cost of a defective vehicle that is out of warranty coverage. RV loans and down payments can be pursued with vehicles such as Class A, B, and C motorhomes, fifth-wheel trailers, travel trailers, or other types of RVs.
What is the State Lemon Law for Defective RVs?
State lemon laws are difficult to understand. Often, they are too specific for your situation. For instance, many state lemon laws completely exclude motorhomes from coverage, so an alternative strategy must be pursued. A federal law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, may be more helpful.
Motorhomes are often exempt from state lemon laws. Although most states have laws that protect you from shoddy workmanship, they differ from one another. Some states cover a motorhome’s chassis, propulsion system, and chassis cab but not interior aspects of the vehicle. Other laws only cover defects in the chassis of the vehicle while some limit coverage to other areas within the vehicle.
If your RV is not working, the manufacturer knows if it’s covered by your state’s lemon law. If your vehicle is covered, you should contact a lemon law attorney in California who can make sure you understand your legal options. The manufacturer must give you a reasonable opportunity to get your RV fixed. This usually includes three or four repair attempts, but may only require one or two if there are serious safety issues.
What is the Federal Lemon Law for Defective RVs?
Magnuson-Moss is the federal law that protects consumers. A motorhome or other RV cannot be considered “defective” if the manufacturer cannot honor its written warranty. The manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle, so you should take the motorhome to an authorized dealer. If you have any complaints about your vehicle being defective, it’s important to have good records of them, including the exact date the vehicle was out of service.
If you’re struggling with a lemon, you should document all correspondence. Regardless of your concern about the cost of a lemon law attorney in California, the federal lemon law entitles you to recover legal fees if you prevail. If you don’t think it’s possible to get the problem fixed and the company has denied your request for a replacement, you should consult with an experienced attorney immediately.
RVs Are a Risky Investment
If you’ve been dreaming of a big RV purchase, you might not want to pull the trigger just yet. RVs depreciate at a much faster rate than other vehicles, losing up to 30% of their purchase price as soon as they leave the showroom. To avoid being burned, the best thing you can do is research thoroughly and do some inspections before purchasing. This will minimize the chances of buying a lemon and being stuck with a time bomb.
Should you buy an RV? It’s an expensive investment, and you could end up with a lemon. One way to prevent this is to do extensive research on the RV before buying it. You can find unbiased inspections online, for example. If you find any red flags after your research, walk away from the RV. Consumer Reports recommends that you take all necessary precautions to not buy a defective RV.
If you have a recreational vehicle that has been down for days or has been experiencing repair problems, you might be eligible for relief.
Contact the McMillan Law Group
Consumer protection laws are designed to protect you. If you recently purchased an RV and it was defective, our lemon law California attorney can help determine if your case qualifies for relief under lemon law or consumer protection laws. Click here to get a free evaluation of your case.