Understanding your lemon

GM Lemon Law Lawyer California

With headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, GM is an American auto giant, selling over 10 million vehicles every year in 35 countries around the world. A parent company, GM currently manufactures and sells the auto brands Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, and Wuling. If you’re an owner and driver of any of these brands and think that you may have a lemon on your hands, read on. We’re experts in GM lemon laws and are eager to help you get the full GM buyback you deserve.

x
Click Here To See If Your Car Qualifies
Call Now 888-567-2279
Work with the Top Lemon Law Attorneys, at no cost.
Yellow Car Cutoff

Is my GM a lemon?

In  GM lemon law, there’s something called “lemon law presumption,” which is a set of criteria that your car must meet to be presumed a lemon in a court of law. While these GM lemon laws can differ from state to state, in California, your GM vehicle is deemed a lemon if your car exhibits serious and persistent issues in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of buying your car that can’t be repaired, even after several visits to a mechanic.

There are additional considerations if your car is part of a GM recall, but in general, these guidelines apply to all cars that are potential lemons.

Contact Our Firm

Common GM Defects

In the past, there have been numerous GM recalls and issues related to GM brands. Always be sure to check TSBs and GM recall list to see if any of the items might apply to your GM. Below we’ve listed some common issues found in GM car brands.

Issues that may deem your car a lemon are not limited to the list below — if you’re experiencing any persistent mechanical problems with your GM vehicle while it’s still under warranty, reach out to Shainfeld Law today so we can help you with the next steps in getting your GM lemon law buyback through a GM lemon law claim.

  • Issues with navigation
  • Engine issues or failure
  • Oil leaks
  • Rough idling
  • Slipping out of or problems getting into gear
  • More engine vibration than is common
  • Faulty dashboard lights
  • Defefctive A/C
  • Power steering problems
Contact Us Request Consultation
White Car Cutoff

How Shainfeld Law Can Help With Your GM Lemon Law Claim

General Motors Lemon Law

Taking on a GM lemon law case by yourself can be daunting. Often times, even if your GM qualifies as a lemon, the GM manufacturer will try to fight back. In this case, it’s extremely important to have a competent, well-informed team on your side. At Shainfeld Law, we’ve got GM lemon law cases down to a science, and are fully equipped to deal with whatever your GM lemon law case throws our way.

General Motors Buybacks

Buybacks are another retribution option in these cases that Lemon Law-Now can guide you through. If you’d like more information on GM lemon laws and GM recall lists, or are ready to hit the ground running with your GM lemon law claim, give us a call today so we can guide you through the next steps of the process to getting your GM lemon law buyback or replacement.

Get Started Learn More

What’s a “reasonable number” of GM repair attempts?

In California GM lemon law, the GM manufacturer is only given a certain amount of repair attempts before you can start the GM lemon law process. Although the criteria for what constitutes a “reasonable number” of attempts differs depending on the state you live in, in California, the following scenarios listed below describe what that “reasonable number” of repair attempts mean. At least one of the following scenarios must occur:

  • Two or more attempts for issues that could cause death or serious injuries.
  • Four or more attempts for non-threatening issues.
  • 30 days (total) of the car being out of use because of problems.
Contact Our Firm

Recent GM Recalls

Getting a recall letter from your auto dealership in the mail can leave you with many feelings. Some may be confused, unsure if it applies to their vehicle if they should continue to drive their automobile, or what the next step is. Others may simply set it aside as another hassle in their busy lives, putting it off until the next oil change.

However, automobile owners should act with prudence and take their vehicle into the dealership as soon as possible when they receive a recall notice. They may be taking a serious risk by putting off an inspection of faulty equipment, sometimes with issues that can seriously hamper vehicle performance and safety measures.

When dealerships identify abnormal problems with vehicles (such as components faltering beyond normal wear and tear), they log them for the automaker to investigate. When GM manufacturers spot a trend in issues, they issue a recall notice for customers. Typically recalls are covered by dealerships, free of charge. If your vehicle meets the description and was manufactured within the range of dates that automakers identify as problematic, you only need to make an appointment with your nearest dealer and get the problem resolved.

Wonder if your vehicle has a pending recall? Maybe you purchased secondhand on the used the market and aren’t receiving notification from dealers? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks and posts recalls on their website in addition to auto manufacturers. All you need is your vehicle’s VIN, make and model to look up pending recalls. It’s best to take care of them as soon as possible to avoid the possible risk of injury or vehicle damage.

If you’re the owner of a GM vehicle, you’re not excluded! Here’s a list of recent examples of GM recalls:

October 2018 GM Recall of Cadillac’s Over Seat Belt Defects

In October of 2018, GM issued a recall for the 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL. The issue stems from certain second- and third-row rear seat belts not automatically locking when the seat belt is fully removed from the retractor, potentially leading to a child seat not being fully locked in place. GM will inspect and, if necessary, replace seat belt assemblies for owners free of charge; The nature of this recall makes it crucial to get it inspected and repaired immediately.

September 2018 GM Recall of 210,000 Chevrolet’s and Buick’s Over Faulty Brakes

GM has issued a recall of more than 210,000 vehicles due to a soft, spongy brake pedal. Improperly chromed rear brake pistons are leading to gas to form in the hydraulic circuit. This issue can cause serious problems on the road, as drivers may be unable to properly assess brake times. The full list of GM affected can be found on the GM and NHTSA websites. GM will assess and correct the brake pedal for GM owners at GM dealerships.

If you’re a GM owner, be sure to stay current on safety recalls and stay safe on the road!

At Shainfeld Law, our GM Lemon Law Lawyers are proud to offer our experienced legal services to clients across the great state of California, including all major cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, Irvine, Santa Ana, Chula Vista, Fremont, Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana etc.

Our dedicated team of experienced California lemon law attorneys is committed to providing comprehensive representation and seeking justice for our clients in every corner of the state. If you’re facing a lemon law issue, don’t hesitate to contact us for professional assistance in your area.

Related Link:

 

Request A Free Consultation for Your GM Lemon

  • Please note that our firm only takes on lemon law cases in California.

  • Please note that our firm only takes year models 2018 or newer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies a GM vehicle as a "lemon" under California law?

In California, a GM vehicle is considered a “lemon” if it has a significant defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that severely affects its use, value, or safety. The defect must persist after a reasonable number of repair attempts, typically four or more, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles from purchase or lease.

How can a GM Lemon Law lawyer from Shainfeld Law help me in California?

Shainfeld Law’s skilled GM lemon law attorneys are well-versed in California’s consumer protection laws and the complex legal process. They will guide you through the steps of filing a claim, negotiating with GM, and pursuing arbitration or litigation to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to under California’s lemon law.

What types of GM vehicles are covered by California’s Lemon Law?

California’s lemon law applies to new GM vehicles, including Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac models purchased or leased in California that are covered by the original factory warranty. It also extends to demonstrator vehicles used for personal, family, or household purposes.

How long does it take to resolve a GM Lemon Law claim in California?

Typically, GM lemon law claims are resolved within a few months through negotiation or arbitration. If GM disputes the claim, the case may proceed to court. However, recent legal changes in California have expedited the process, including discovery, depositions, and mediation, thereby accelerating resolution.

What compensation can I expect if my GM vehicle is deemed a lemon in California?

If your GM vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you may be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price (minus a reasonable usage fee) or a replacement vehicle. Additionally, you may be reimbursed for related expenses, including taxes, registration fees, finance charges, and repair costs.

Can I receive a refund or replacement vehicle under California's GM Lemon Law?

Under California’s GM lemon law, if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you may receive either a refund or a replacement vehicle. The decision depends on the severity of the defect and the number of repair attempts made. A GM lemon law lawyer can help you determine the best option based on your case.

Will I be responsible for legal fees when filing a Lemon Law claim in California?

No. In most cases, GM will be required to pay your legal fees if you prevail in a lemon law case in California. This is one of the main advantages of pursuing a lemon law claim, as it allows you to seek compensation without incurring out-of-pocket legal expenses.

Can I still file a Lemon Law claim if my GM vehicle is out of warranty in California?

Yes, even if your GM vehicle is out of warranty in California, you may still file a lemon law claim, provided the defects were reported during the warranty period. The law protects against defects arising within a specified period after the sale, even after the warranty has expired. Consult a GM lemon law lawyer to evaluate your case.

Recent GM Lemon Law Case Wins

When a client reached out to us after experiencing issues with his Buick, we were able to quickly get the information we needed to assess his situation and determine that his mechanic had made a reasonable number of attempts at repair. Having been to the dealership with the same persistent issue over four times, we knew it was time to take action. We immediately approached GM and demanded a full GM lemon law buyback of our client’s Buick -- he had only purchased the car 13 months prior to the case. GM quickly complied with our demands and our client was fully reimbursed, including legal fees.

Request Consultation
Two White Cars

Maximum Reward for Your GM Lemon

No out-of-pocket fees unless we win. When you work with the lemon lawyers at Shainfeld Law, you can anticipate generous compensation, and rest assured that we employ lemon laws, including the lemon law presumption, to ensure that the manufacturer will always handle your legal expenses. You won't have to worry about any out-of-pocket costs when you choose to work with Shainfeld Law.

White Car with Shield

Client Testimonials

I spoke directly to Mr. Shainfeld who helped guide me through the lemon law process. He was always responsive to me both via phone and emails. He was prompt and professional. Hopefully I do not have any further issues with my car in the future, but if I do I will contact Shainfeld Law.

Dave

Prompt and Professional

Brett and his team was truly amazing to work with. From my very first contact through their chat capabilities on their website to the very last conversation with Brett. Being our first lemon claim for our 2018 Audi e-tron we were intimidated by what the process could be and didn’t know what to expect. Brett and his team made everything so easy to understand and seamless.

Emily

Amazing to Work With

I had a great experience working with Brett Shainfeld. Easy to talk to and quick to respond, he explained the process clearly from the first phone call and kept me updated on the progress. Everything was done through email and on the phone which made it fast, easy and very convenient.

Moj

Fast, Easy and Very Convenient

Cannot recommend Brett Shainfeld enough. Courteous, professional, quick to respond, and up front with my case and questions. If you think you have any car issues and might consider finding a lemon law attorney, just stop right here and contact Brett. Got me quick results and helped me out with the whole process.

John

Courteous, Professional, Quick to Respond

Brett is Amazing! Everything done by telephone and never met him and only by speaking to him regarding my case I felt like he was a good friend to speak to. He’s very upfront and down to earth and says it straight up.

Jeanette

Brett is Amazing

I could NOT have selected better representation! Mr. Shainfeld worked quickly and helped us reach a great settlement fairly quickly! I elected to pickup my final settlement check from his office, otherwise I would have never had to set foot in his work space.

Alexis

Excellent Representation

Thank you so much for all you’ve done and for being so patient with me and all my questions/concerns. Happy to have this behind me and do it so simply. It was a pleasure working with you.

Melinda

A Pleasure to Work With

Brett has been THE MOST helpful lawyer when it came to dealing with my lemon BMW. His knowledge blows all these other clowns out of the water. Extremely attentive, under promises and over-delivers. Just give him a call!

Most Helpful Lemon Lawyer

Brett was truly amazing to work with. Everything was so easy — from our initial call to the very last conversation.  This was our very first lemon claim (2018 Audi e-tron) and was slightly intimidated by what the process could be and didn’t know what to expect. Brett and his team made everything so easy to understand and seamless. He’s quick, efficient, very reliable. He is super clear up front with the process and quickly answers any questions you have. I would highly recommend Brett if you are looking for lemon law attorney. We couldn’t have done it without him.

Everything Was So Easy

After the torture we went through with our dealership on our Lemon Law car and the subsequent challenge of trying to find a responsive, knowledgeable attorney to represent our case, we were at our wit’s end and highly skeptical when we found Brett Shainfeld. However, we found Brett to be clear, communicative, immediately responsive and confident. He adapted quickly to our preferred mode of communication (electronic or voicemail, rather than live discussions), and consistently kept us informed as to what was happening with our case, as well as what to expect next. And the best part is that he successfully negotiated our case with the manufacturer.

Great Experience

Brett was the best attorney we’ve had the opportunity to work with. If we ever need a Lemon Law attorney again, we won’t hesitate to use Brett. He’s very conscientious, keeping us appraised of what’s going on. If we leave a message or e-mail for him, he’d respond to is in a very timely manner. We will not hesitate to use his services again in the future. We’ll also recommend him to anyone & everyone who needs a good Lemon Law attorney.

Best Lemon Law Lawyer Ever

My lemon law settlement was done in about 2 and 1/2 months. Brett Shainfeld was very professional and answered all my questions through phone calls and emails regarding $ and etc… I’m in San Francisco and he was in southern cal…and everything turned out well.

Excellent Work

Brett, I’d like to thank you for your help throughout my case. During the course of my representation, you and your firm provided me with an unmatched customer service and always immediately responded to my questions. I could not have been any happier with the end result and always felt protected having your firm on my side. Words fall short in describing your firm’s prowess & dedication. I highly recommend your firm to anyone seeking assistance when in comes to consumer protection laws.

I could not have been happier

At Shainfeld Law, you’ll always be speaking with the attorney who will be handling your case

Give us a call 888-567-2279