San Diego Electric Car Lemon Law Lawyers Assisting Owners With Their Legal Needs

California has been leading the way as the US transitions toward electric vehicles. Several major car manufacturers have recently announced their plans to have a fully electric lineup of vehicles by 2030, and many companies are already rapidly producing new electric models. California has invested millions in infrastructure for this new technology, and the state significantly outpaces all others in electric car ownership.

Unfortunately, electric vehicles are still relatively new technology, so they can suffer from defects and malfunctions. These issues can range from frustrating problems that impact the vehicle’s usability and resale value to dangerous defects that can put owners and their families at risk.

If your new or used electric car is still under warranty and you are experiencing issues that the manufacturer has been unable to fix, you should contact San Diego Lemon Law immediately to discuss your legal options. Call 619-434-0819 to schedule a free consultation today.

Does California’s Lemon Law Apply to Electric Vehicles?

Every state has a lemon law that provides consumers with legal recourse if they have purchased a defective product that cannot be repaired. The lemon law in California is a combination of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. These acts cover all consumer goods sold under warranty in the state, including electric vehicles.

If the manufacturer has been given a reasonable number of attempts to fix your electric car and the issue is still not corrected, they may have to replace or buy back your defective vehicle. The law also specifies that the manufacturer must pay your attorney’s fees and reimburse you for any expenses incurred due to the defective vehicle, such as repair and towing costs.

What Are Common Electric Car Issues?

All cars, whether gas-powered, hybrid, or electric, are susceptible to defects due to the sheer number of moving parts involved. The defect involved does not necessarily have to make the vehicle dangerous for the car to be considered a lemon. It simply has to affect the vehicle’s functionality, resale value, or safety. Malfunctioning windows or subpar paint jobs that are chipping off could even be considered eligible defects if they cannot be fixed.

Because electric car technology is still very new and the market is expanding rapidly, some problems crop up from time to time. While there may be overlap between problems seen in gas-powered and electric vehicles, EV owners can also face unique issues, such as:

• Overheating batteries and battery fires
• Battery life/range issues
• Charging problems
• Faulty electrical systems
• Control panel failures
• Malfunctioning navigation systems
• Braking system problems
• Software bugs or defects

How Do You Prove Your Electric Vehicle is a Lemon?

If you are experiencing issues with a California-purchased EV that is still under warranty, there are steps you can take to resolve your situation. Your first action should be to bring your electric vehicle to a reliable service center to have repair work done under warranty. A car cannot be considered a lemon until a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made, although exactly how many visits are required can vary.

Keep detailed records of the repair efforts in a secure location, along with your warranty information, to support any future claims. Contact a trusted lemon law attorney to begin the claims process if your car is still not functional after multiple repair attempts. You have four years from when the defect was discovered to file your claim, but filing promptly is recommended to safeguard your claim and give you the best chance at a positive outcome.

What Can an Attorney Do for You?

Consumers are not required to hire a lawyer, but navigating lemon law claims can be challenging. In most cases, car manufacturers and dealers are willing to fight a claim to avoid losing money. Individuals can be at a distinct disadvantage when negotiating with a large company.

San Diego Lemon Law can provide the experience and strong legal skills you need. The best part is that the manufacturer generally has to pay for your legal fees, so hiring a lawyer comes at no cost to you. Call today for a risk-free case evaluation: 619-434-0819.