When you start shopping for a vehicle, you want to buy a car that won’t give you problems. Unfortunately, there are a lot of lemons out there, and you need to avoid getting stuck with one. This article is full of tips from a California lemon law attorney on how to avoid buying a lemon.
Finding a nice used car for an affordable price is often easier said than done; which is why it’s important to do your research before you enter into any negotiations. However, finding the perfect car for you doesn’t just come down to good luck as some people seem to think.
It’s more about doing your homework properly and being armed with all the necessary information so that when it comes down to negotiating the deal, you know up from down and can make sure a potential purchase won’t present any hidden issues in terms of its automobile performance, road safety or general reliability in the future.
How to Protect Yourself From Buying a Lemon?
When purchasing a new car, you want to be sure that you are making the right choice. It is not easy to know whether you are making a good choice when you have to pick between so many different cars. There are ways to ensure that you are making the right choice. Understanding what you need to look for will help you when you are shopping for a new car.
Checking the Reliability Record
Before selecting a vehicle, use consumer reports to help you select models with reliability in mind. The best of these so-called good vehicles will have the highest customer satisfaction scores and will be better for your wallet in the long run.
If you’re looking for a vehicle and want to see how it rates on reliability, check for the reliability history charts that come with the profiles for most of Consumer Reports’ automobiles.
Reading the Window Sticker
A Buyer’s Guide is required in every used vehicle sold by dealers. It must be located in a prominent area of the vehicle and contain certain information, including the warranty that is being provided for the vehicle and what amount, if any, will be paid by the dealership for repairs. The Buyer’s Guide information overrides any contrary provisions in your sales contract.
If a vehicle is being sold “as is” it means that the owner makes no lifetime guarantees on the condition of the car, so any problems that come up once you’ve made your purchase will be your responsibility. Some states do not allow as-is sales on vehicles worth more than a certain price.
Checking the Vehicle’s History
A vehicle history report from CarFax or Experian Automotive is an incredibly useful tool for those in the market for a car. It can alert you to possible:
Odometer fraud
Reveal Past Fire Damage
Reveal Past Flood Damage
Reveal Past Accidental Damage
…or tell you if a rebuilt or salvage title has ever been issued for the vehicle.
But these reports aren’t perfect. There are vehicles that have a clean report, but still require some work in the damage department. We suggest entering the vehicle’s VIN into ReviewMyAuto.com to find out if this specific vehicle has any flaws that you might need to consider before taking it home in your driveway.
Some used-car marketplaces can help you obtain a vehicle history report for free but otherwise, these are costly and there is a significant cost involved because it’s an important resource and the best protection involves ensuring that your car has been inspected by a professional mechanic.
Use a mechanic you trust to thoroughly inspect your used car before purchasing it. Ask for an estimate that details why the inspection was done, what it might cost to remedy any problems, and where you can get specific parts. If you’re not satisfied with the explanation or price quote from one shop, try another until you find someone who will talk to you in terms that you understand and give a reliable estimate of the cost.
You should enlist these services from the Car Care Council (CCC). This group certifies independent shop facilities that have been inspected by an authorized government agency for meeting rigorous standards for learning and competence. AAA members can rely on CCC-accredited shops as recommended by their membership association.
Taking a car to a mechanic also requires getting an expert opinion. Sometimes knowing what the state of your vehicle is can help you avoid big and expensive problems in the future! If you’re going to see a mechanic about your vehicle, make sure they look for these:
Any kinks or dents in the frame or from undercarriage components like fuel tanks can point to there being some damage previously done and taken care of when repaired by mechanics. Welding on the frame suggests repairs made by welders for damaged sections of a car’s chassis may have been recently replaced.
Fresh undercoating could be hiding recent structural repairs that are not yet visible without cutting into them.
As a potential buyer, you should be allowed to take your potential car for a test drive as long as you leave identification or proof of ownership with the seller. The dealer selling the car may not be willing to lend it out, however, so you could offer to follow them to your mechanic.
Check for any Recalls
Check to see if the car you’re considering has any open recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a searchable database of recall notices. Request documentation on any recalls performed on the vehicle you want to buy and also request that the seller confirm whether or not they were done.
If your potential purchase has an un-performed recall, it’s extremely important that you take care of it immediately as all automakers are required to perform this service at no charge regardless of the age of the vehicle or how long ago the recall notice was issued.
A used car can be a great choice for many people. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be a bad decision that ends with you stuck with a lemon. You don’t want to get stuck with a lemon, so it’s best to make sure that you know what you are doing when you are shopping around. McMillan Law Group can help you explore your choices if you are stuck with a used vehicle.
You may have just bought a car that you thought was perfect for you. You’ve driven it around town a few times, and everything seemed fine. Then one day, the car just wouldn’t start. As you find issues in the vehicle, you may have an issue that may deem the vehicle a lemon. (more…)
The process of filing a California lemon law claim can be daunting for many people. You have to show that your vehicle meets your state’s standards for being a lemon, and you also have to take on big corporations with almost endless resources. (more…)
Manufacturers often take action to recall cars when they make a mistake across many, often thousands of vehicles. It’s taken as a sign that the manufacturer takes quality seriously. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires car makers to issue these recalls when they discover a defective safety/engineering flaw that could lead to a serious accident, such as faulty airbags. The recalled cars are supposed to be repaired at a dealership or repair shop.
Although car repairs are typically effective, this is not always the case. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Hyundai, as many recently recalled and repaired cars have not been fixed properly, leaving drivers at risk. Here is what you should know about the allegations against Hyundai, what it could mean for you, and how to determine if your recalled car qualifies for a lemon law claim with the help of our California lemon law lawyer.
Background of the Case
In May 2017, a group of plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia, alleging that the carmakers were aware of engine defects but failed to disclose this information. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the matter that same month. They were particularly interested in Hyundai and Kia’s handling of their 1.6 million vehicle recall to fix a defect. In fact, the companies initiated five similar recalls as far back as 2015.
As the number of engine fires related to certain models of cars increased, more and more people filed class-action lawsuits. In August 2018, the U.S. District Court for California’s Central District ordered that all of these cases be consolidated into one multidistrict litigation (MDL). This MDL was in 2019. It is important to understand the difference between MDLs and class action lawsuits. In a class action, all of the plaintiffs are grouped together and their cases are handled as one. However, in an MDL, each lawsuit remains separate. This can be beneficial because it allows for consistent outcomes across similar cases.
Vehicles Affected in the Case
Hyundai vehicles that come equipped with Theta II 2-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engines may be affected by certain issues. This includes models such as the 2011-2018 Sonata, 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport, and 2014-2015, 2018 Tucson. If you own one of these vehicles, it’s important to be aware of the potential problems so you can take appropriate action.
Vehicles covered by Kia include the Optima, Sorento, and Sportage from 2011 to 2018. Certain 2019 models of these six types may also be included, depending on when they were manufactured. Those made before the implementation of knock sensor detection system technology are more likely to be included.
What is an Adequate Repair in California?
If your Hyundai or Kia needs repairs, you may be wondering if it meets the requirements for a lemon law claim. The definition of an adequate repair is important to understand, as it can help determine whether you are eligible for a refund or replacement from the manufacturer. If your car is still under warranty and has not been properly repaired for manufacturing defects, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement.
The definition of a good repair, however, is simpler than you might think. In California, an adequate repair must follow these criteria:
Vehicles Must Not Have a Problem
A vehicle is only considered to be repaired properly if the issue that needed fixing is no longer present. This can be difficult to determine, however, especially if you’re not an experienced mechanic. It may not be clear whether the manufacturer’s mechanics actually fixed a subtle issue like a faulty ABS module.
If you’re going to get your car repaired, be sure to keep all the documentation. The receipt and explanation of the repairs will come in handy if it turns out the issue wasn’t actually fixed. This way, you can force the manufacturer to honor the warranty, even if it’s technically expired. They didn’t successfully repair it the first time, after all.
The Vehicle Should be Fixed in Reasonable Number of Attempts
If your car needs repairs, you want the manufacturer to get it right the first time. Unfortunately, California lemon law allows manufacturers multiple attempts at repairs, which can
be costly and time-consuming for consumers. To avoid this, make sure you know your rights and understand the law before getting your car repaired.
Manufacturers are allowed four attempts to fix non-conformity issues with cars that have a low risk of causing serious injuries. The vehicle may be a lemon if the manufacturer didn’t actually resolve the problem after four attempts by in-house mechanics.
If an issue is serious, the manufacturer can only try to fix the problem twice. For example, if there’s a fire risk in your car then you could get injured. These issues need to be fixed as soon as possible.
The Vehicle Should Not Be in the Repair Shop For More than 30 Days
The number of repair attempts is not the only thing to consider when assessing a car. In California, state law also dictates that owners should not have to wait more than 30 days or go over 18,000 miles before they are automatically entitled to direct repairs by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers should prioritize these fixes. Furthermore, the law states that someone buying a brand-new car has the right and expectation that they can use it, meaning that excessive time in the shop violates their rights. You could have a lemon vehicle even if it doesn’t seem to have any of the classic signs. Any time it’s been in the shop for more than 30 days could potentially be a sign that there are larger issues.
Regardless of the outcome of this class action lawsuit against Hyundai, it does show the need for Hyundai and Kia owners to pay attention to their cars’ safety. If you think your vehicle has a manufacturing error and Hyundai hasn’t properly fixed it, contact them. You can also contact our lemon law lawyer in California and know if there are any chances of relief.
Jeep vehicles have been on the market since World War II. Since it was first produced in 1941, The Jeep has become the most recognized four-wheel drive vehicle on the road. However, as with any automobile, there are times when problems can develop with the transmission in a Jeep vehicle.
If you own a Jeep with a defective transmission, you probably owe it to yourself to learn more about your rights as a car owner. After all, you’ve likely been experiencing problems for some time now. Your Jeep isn’t running like it used to, and it seems like the issue is only getting worse. While there may be more to this problem than you realize, you can protect your rights as a consumer by seeking the counsel of a Lemon Law lawyer in San Diego.
What Issues Have Been Reported?
There have been many reports of Jeep drivers having issues with their transmissions and engines. These have included poor engine performance, various oil leaks, delayed and difficult acceleration, rough shifts, poor response time, shuddering and stuttering, overheating, stalling, delayed gear engagement, lack or loss of power, and more.
If you’ve been having transmission or engine problems with your Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade, or Jeep Wrangler, you may be entitled to compensation under the Lemon Law. McMillan Law Group can help you get the money you deserve.
Jeep Cherokee
In 2019, 95,000 Jeep Cherokees were recalled due to a power loss issue caused by a faulty transmission. If a driver shifted the car into park, the transmission wouldn’t respond properly, increasing the risk of the car rolling away and crashing. The recall included 2014-2017 models of the Jeep Cherokee.
If you’re thinking of leasing or buying a 2020 Jeep Cherokee, you may want to think again. Reports of engine problems have been coming in, with many drivers experiencing the need for repeated service appointments, even when the cars are brand new. If you’ve already leased or purchased a Cherokee with transmission issues, you may have a case under the California lemon law.
Jeep Compass
If you notice any of the following issues with your Jeep Compass, it may be experiencing transmission failure: delays in shifting, grinding, or leaping while accelerating, shaking at all speeds, whistling noises, or a burning smell coming from under the hood. Ignoring these problems can lead to decreased fuel efficiency or an inability to drive the vehicle altogether.
Jeep Wrangler
A lot of drivers have been having issues with the Jeep Wrangler’s transmission system. The 2020 model has actually been receiving a lot of praise from those who drove it, nonetheless. Unfortunately, many customers have reported the problems after only a few weeks or 1000 miles of usage.
If you happen to be one of the many people who have a 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler, then we would like to inform you that your transmission might be subject to strange behavior that could cause vehicles to enter what is called “limp mode“. Complaints in relation to harsh gear changes as well as loss of power are among those reported. We would also like to point out that other owners report their clutch pedal being sloppy.
Jeep Renegade
In 2017, the Jeep Renegade was recalled for faulty transmissions. While some drivers have yet to have any sort of issue with the newer variants of this model, there are others who claim to turn on the ignition still produces hazardous sounds and burning smells as well as frequent electrical problems due to failure safety protocols during acceleration.
Common Transmission Issues with Jeep Vehicles
Common problems with the Jeep vehicle include:
Transmission fluid spill
Fuel pump
Fuel relay
Faulty PCM control module
Power loss
Vibrations
Clunking sound
Engine Noises
…and many more issues.
What are the Signs of a Failing Transmission?
Engine Warning Light: The warning light keeps lighting up.
Fluid Leaks: These leaks may indicate that there is an issue with the transmission hose.
Burning Smell: This means that the transmission fluid is burning.
Grinding Sounds: You will notice this sound when you are shifting gears.
Gear Shift Delay: When your gear shift is delayed even after there is a shift in the transmission.
Wrapping Up
If you are having continuously repeated problems with your Jeep’s transmission or engine, explore your lemon law rights to see if it may be time for a refund or replacement. Chances are you’re dealing with a defective vehicle for the first time. You may have never heard of lemon law before you started experiencing problems.
This is where our experienced lemon lawyer San Diego comes in. If you are having trouble with your Jeep, McMillan Law Group can help you with your case and discuss what options you have.
It can be difficult to know when you’re being scammed when you’re shopping for a car. There are so many hidden costs that you can be scammed for. On top of this, you don’t want to buy a lemon. A lemon car can make driving such an unpleasant experience. In this article, our California lemon law lawyer will look at some of the most common scams that car buyers should watch out for.
You can avoid wasting thousands of dollars by learning what scams are out there. Here’s what you need to know about the most common automobile buying scams and how you can spot them too.
1. Deals That Are Too Good To Be True
If a car seems fine but is being sold for significantly less than the market rate, then typically there will be problems associated with it that could break your budget down the road. In such cases, there are usually two reasons why a car might be sold at a dramatically lower price. Either it’s a lemon and doesn’t run smoothly at all, or else it’s a scam and you’re being fooled out of some money in due time to come.
If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Low prices on vehicles can often be indicators that there is something off about the seller. Scammers may try to sell stolen cars or use fake identification or forged documents when selling a vehicle. They may even try to trick you out of hundreds of dollars by taking a deposit for purchasing a vehicle they say they no longer have in stock and then disappear before allowing you to change your mind and cancel the transaction.
2. Odometer Rollback
The vehicle mileage reading is used to gauge one’s overall condition in addition to its overall practicality. While a car with 100,000 miles on it might appear to be in fair shape, it still holds more wear and tear when compared to one that has 25,000 miles on it.
Illegal odometer rollbacks are unfortunately all too common. By taking tens of thousands of miles off the odometer reading, dishonest sellers can make their cars seem more appealing and hide how much use they’ve seen. As a result, you could end up buying a vehicle that needs major repairs much sooner than you anticipated.
If you’re looking to avoid buying a car with an odometer rollback, your best bet is to get reports from CarFax and similar providers. By checking the odometer reading against the CarFax report, you can easily spot any discrepancies that might indicate a problem. So if you see something that doesn’t add up, it’s probably best to move on and find another car. You can talk to a lemon law lawyer in California to help you out if you have got a lemon vehicle with an odometer rollback issue.
Curbstoning is one of the oldest and most common car-selling scams. The scammer tells the buyer to meet at a random location, usually a parking lot or roadside, to make the purchase. This makes it more difficult to trace the seller and the origin of the name. When the buyer arrives, the seller pretends to be desperate to get rid of what appears to be a perfect car. Many buyers will make the purchase without thinking, believing they are getting a great deal.
Cars that have been in accidents or have other major flaws are often dressed up to look nicer than they actually are. This makes it difficult for people to know if a car is in good condition or not. As a result, many people end up buying cars that are not safe to drive. Illegal curbstoners often withhold important documents from buyers. This makes it difficult to track down the seller and hold them accountable for the sale.
A false bargain is often hard to resist, but sellers can be quite tricky. For your own good, make sure you meet the trader at a dealership or their home to avoid any surprises. Furthermore, never buy a vehicle if you won’t receive the title immediately. Both of these are signs that a car sale isn’t legitimate.
What to Do If You Got a Lemon Vehicle?
There are still options for you if you’ve already fallen for a car buying scam. For example, if the vehicle you bought falls under California law as a lemon, then there are remedies available to you. Contact the McMillan Law Group for more information about mistakes and how we can help you recover.
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