A smooth-shifting transmission is essential for safe and comfortable driving. When your vehicle hesitates, jerks, or slips during gear changes, it is more than a mechanical nuisance. It may be a warning sign that something is seriously wrong. For many Los Angeles drivers, repeated transmission problems—especially in newer vehicles under warranty—can indicate that the car is not just defective, but potentially a lemon under California law.
Understanding the connection between transmission issues and your legal rights can help you protect your safety and your investment. At Shainfeld Law, our lemon law attorneys assist drivers throughout California in navigating the legal process when ongoing mechanical issues disrupt their daily lives.
What Is Transmission Slippage and Rough Shifting?
Transmission slippage occurs when your vehicle changes gears unexpectedly or struggles to remain in the correct gear. This often leads to hesitation during acceleration, sudden jerking, or a delay when shifting from park to drive. Rough shifting refers to a lack of smooth gear transitions, which can feel like hard jolts or loud clunks when the vehicle changes speed or direction.
These issues can make your car difficult or dangerous to drive, particularly in high-traffic areas like Los Angeles. In some cases, drivers report near misses at intersections or freeway onramps due to lagging or unpredictable transmission performance.
Common symptoms include:
- The engine is revving without an increase in speed.
- A sudden drop in power while driving uphill
- Delayed engagement when shifting into gear
- Loud noises or grinding when changing gears
- Warning lights such as “Check Engine” or “Transmission Fault”.
If you have returned to the dealership for transmission repairs more than once and the issue continues, it may be time to consider whether the vehicle qualifies as a lemon.
How California Lemon Law Applies to Transmission Defects
Under California’s Lemon Law, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has a substantial defect that impairs its use, safety, or value and the manufacturer cannot fix it after a reasonable number of attempts. Transmission problems often meet this standard because they directly affect how the vehicle operates and whether it is safe to drive.
Generally, the law requires at least two repair attempts if the defect poses a safety risk. In other cases, four or more visits for the same issue, or 30 days of total shop time for any number of problems, may be sufficient to file a claim. The vehicle must still be under the manufacturer’s original warranty for the law to apply.
Keeping records of all dealership visits, service reports, and repair orders is essential. This documentation helps prove that the manufacturer had a fair opportunity to resolve the issue but failed to do so.
Shainfeld Law Helps Drivers Take the Next Step
If your new or leased vehicle is experiencing repeated transmission slippage or rough shifting, you should not have to settle for subpar performance. At Shainfeld Law, we have a 99% success rate in Lemon Law claims, and we handle the legal process at no cost to you. Our fees are paid by the manufacturer, not by our clients.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Shainfeld Law, P.C., today by calling 888-609-2593 or requesting a free consultation online. If your transmission issues persist, let us help you shift gears and achieve the outcome you deserve.