California Chevrolet Lemon Law Lawyers

If you own or lease a Chevrolet vehicle that has a persistent defect or chronic problem, you may be entitled to a remedy under the California Lemon Law. A “lemon” is a vehicle with a defect that cannot be repaired by the dealership within a reasonable number of attempts. At Young & Young APC, our Chevrolet Los Angeles Lemon Law attorneys can help you bring a claim to pursue a vehicle buyback, vehicle replacement or cash settlement. Find out more during a free case consultation.

Common Chevrolet Problems

Chevrolet – often shortened to Chevy – is an automobile company under General Motors (GM). It was founded in 1911 and has produced over 200 million cars, trucks and SUVs. While Chevrolet boasts that it is the most awarded brand for new vehicle quality, it has been the center of numerous complaints by consumers regarding vehicle defects.

Chevrolet was behind only Ford in the number of complaints sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2020 to 2022. A total of 7,303 complaints regarding Chevrolet vehicles were submitted. Below is a breakdown of the number of complaints regarding specific vehicle models produced by Chevrolet:

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Some of the most common defects reported with Chevrolet vehicles involve the engine, ignition switches, transmission, steering system, electrical system, cooling system, and airbags. If a defect is a substantial impairment to the use, value, or safety of the motor vehicle, the consumer is entitled to financial compensation or another resolution from the automobile manufacturer in California under the Lemon Law.

What is a “Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts?”

Many Chevy owners dealing with a lemon aren’t sure when their vehicle qualifies as having had enough “reasonable repair attempts” to apply the lemon law. While the word “reasonable” seems vague, it’s typically left that way so the law is more adaptable to different situations. In general, the lemon law qualifies vehicles in the following circumstances as having had enough reasonable repair attempts to meet the requirements of the lemon law:

• If a problem still persists despite 3 or more attempts at repair
• If you’ve been unable to use the vehicle or it’s been in a repair shop for 30 or more cumulative days since your purchase
• If at least one attempt to repair a serious safety issue failed, including anything that creates a risk of an accident, fire, or explosion, or impedes the ability to control the vehicle

If any of the above examples fit your experience with a Chevrolet, you may be entitled to a repurchase or replacement of your vehicle.

Recent Chevrolet Recalls

A recall is a notice that warns the public of a safety issue or significant defect with a product. To find out if your Chevrolet vehicle is involved in a recall, you can use the NHTSA’s online VIN search tool. You can also use Chevrolet’s GM Recall Search Tool. Recent Chevrolet and GM recalls include:

• 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles: daytime running lights may not deactivate and could cause a glare or reduced visibility.
• 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles: secondary hood latch failure could result in the vehicle’s hood opening unexpectedly while driving.
• 2015 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia: airbag inflator may explode during deployment, potentially causing serious or fatal injuries due to metal fragments striking the driver or occupants.

Note that your Chevrolet vehicle does not have to currently be part of a recall to qualify you for a resolution under the California Lemon Law. You also do not have to act within 18,000 miles or 18 months of the vehicle’s delivery to be eligible for a remedy.

How Does the Lemon Law Repurchase or Buyback Work?

If your Chevy fits the legal requirements of a lemon law claim, the first step toward a buyback is to contact a Chevrolet Lemon Law Lawyer. A seasoned lemon law lawyer understands the tactics manufacturers sometimes use to undervalue or deny your claim.

A lemon law lawyer can address the following points to prove a lemon law case:

• Show that the defective part jeopardizes your car’s safety, use, or value
• Show that you’ve made reasonable repair attempts and the attempts have failed to correct the problem
• Show all evidence necessary to recover the full amount of money that you are entitled to receive

Can a Used Chevrolet Qualify for Lemon Law?

Sadly, some owners try to rid themselves of a lemon by simply returning the vehicle to the dealership as a trade-in vehicle. If you’ve bought a used car only to find out you’ve bought someone else’s lemon, you may be wondering if the lemon law applies to a used Chevrolet as well as a new one. The good news is that your used lemon might qualify for buyback or replacement if it meets the following conditions:

• You bought it from a dealership and not from an individual
• If you’ve tried a reasonable number of repair attempts and they’ve failed to correct the problem
• The car must be under its original manufacturer warranty
• You bought it as a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle with a written warranty
• The car was NOT sold to you “as is.”

If the manufacturer attempts to evade the lemon law, they will have to pay your damages and attorney’s fees if the lemon law applies to your used vehicle.

Do You Think Your New or Used Chevrolet Is a Lemon? Contact Us

You have rights as someone who has purchased or leased a new or used Chevrolet with a defect in California. GM has an obligation to remedy the situation by reimbursing your expenses in full, buying back the lemon vehicle, or providing a replacement. The experienced Chevrolet Lemon Law attorneys at Young & Young APC can help you file a claim in your county. Contact us today to request a free case evaluation near you. Call (833) 536-6600.