Lemon Law Attorney in Glendale

Buying a new or certified pre-owned vehicle is a major financial milestone. When you drive your car off the lot, you expect reliability, safety, and peace of mind. Unfortunately, many Glendale drivers find themselves stuck with a "lemon", a defective vehicle that requires constant trips to the dealership for the exact same mechanical or electrical issues. 

If you are dealing with a vehicle that constantly breaks down despite multiple repair attempts, you do not have to absorb the financial loss. California has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Under the California Lemon Law, you have the right to hold automobile manufacturers accountable and demand a refund or a replacement vehicle. 

At the Law Offices of Michelle Choe, APLC, we provide strategic, personalized, and aggressive legal representation to consumers stuck with defective vehicles. Founded by attorney Michelle Choe, our firm rejects the impersonal, high-volume corporate structure. We work directly with you to build a powerful case, cut through the manufacturer's red tape, and secure the compensation you deserve. 

Contact our Glendale office today at 323-612-5002 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. 

Understanding the California Lemon Law 

Officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the California Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease vehicles covered by an active manufacturer’s warranty. If a manufacturer or its authorized dealer cannot repair a vehicle's defect after a "reasonable number" of repair attempts, they must either replace the vehicle or refund the buyer's money. 

The California Lemon Law applies to a wide range of new and used consumer vehicles, provided they were sold or leased with an active manufacturer's warranty. This includes: 

• Cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. 
• The chassis, cab, and propulsion systems of recreational vehicles (RVs). 
• Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators. 
• Commercial vehicles, provided they are primarily used for business purposes, the business has no more than five vehicles registered in California, and the vehicle's curb weight is under 10,000 pounds. 

When Does a Car Qualify as a "Lemon" in California? 

To qualify for a refund or replacement under California law, your vehicle must meet specific criteria: 

1. The Defect Must Be Covered Under Warranty: The issue must have developed while the vehicle was under the manufacturer's original or extended warranty. 
2. The Defect Must Substantially Impair Use, Value, or Safety: There can't be a small issue (like a squeaky cup holder). The car must have a major flaw that makes it dangerous or unreliable to drive, such as an engine failure, transmission problems, malfunctioning airbags, brake failure, steering troubles, or recurrent electrical glitches. 
3. The Manufacturer Was Given a Reasonable Opportunity to Fix It: You must allow the manufacturer's authorized dealership a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect. 

While there is no fixed number of repair attempts that automatically triggers the Lemon Law, California courts generally use the following guidelines as a "presumption" within the first 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first): 

• The dealer has attempted to repair the same safety-related defect (which could cause death or serious injury) two or more times without success. 
• The dealer has attempted to repair the same non-safety-related defect four or more times without success. 
• The vehicle has been out of service and sitting at the repair shop for more than 30 days due to warranty repairs. 

Why Choose Michelle Choe as Your Glendale Lemon Law Lawyer? 

Navigating a warranty claim against a multi-billion-dollar car manufacturer is incredibly challenging. Auto manufacturers hire aggressive legal teams to deny, delay, and devalue legitimate consumer claims. Having a dedicated advocate on your side levels the playing field. 

Personalized, High-Touch Representation 

The Law Offices of Michelle Choe, APLC places a high value on direct, transparent attorney-client communication, in contrast to large, high-volume "settlement mills" where clients hardly ever speak to a lawyer. Throughout the course of your claim, you will collaborate directly with Michelle Choe, who will make sure you are kept up to date at every turn. 

Overcoming Complex Insurance and Corporate Defense Tactics 

Michelle Choe built her practice on deep procedural knowledge and hands-on legal experience. She understands the exact administrative maneuvers, paperwork requirements, and strategic defenses that corporate legal departments use to avoid paying consumers. We build highly meticulous, documentation-heavy cases that leave manufacturers with very little room to deny your claim. 

Fully Bilingual Legal Support 

Attorney Michelle Choe offers full legal services in both English and Korean to assist the diverse population of Glendale and the larger Los Angeles area. You won't have to worry about translation mistakes or legalese because you may talk about your case in the language you are most familiar with. 

What Compensation Can You Recover Under the Lemon Law? 

If we successfully prove that your vehicle is a lemon, California law requires the manufacturer to provide you with one of the following remedies: 

1. The "Lemon Law Buyback" (Refund) 

The malfunctioning car is repurchased by the manufacturer, who also reimburses the purchase price. Usually, this reimbursement consists of: 

• Your down payment and all monthly lease or loan payments made to date. 
• The remaining balance on your auto loan or lease agreement (paid directly to your lender). 
• Collateral charges, such as sales tax, registration fees, finance charges, and manufacturer-installed options. 
• Out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the defect, including towing fees, rental car costs, or public transportation expenses. 

Note: The manufacturer is allowed to deduct a small statutory offset (mileage deduction) based on the number of trouble-free miles you drove the car before the defect first manifested. 

2. A Replacement Vehicle 

The manufacturer replaces your defective vehicle with a new, substantially identical vehicle. The replacement must come with the same options and manufacturer's warranty. 

3. Civil Penalties 

The manufacturer may be ordered to pay civil fines if we can demonstrate that they knowingly broke the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act by refusing to buy back your car when they knew it was a lemon. Your total compensation may be greatly increased by this penalty, which can be up to twice the amount of your actual damages. 

Critical Steps to Take if You Think Your Car is a Lemon 

To build the strongest possible Lemon Law claim, it is essential to document everything from the moment your vehicle begins experiencing issues. 

1. Always Take Your Car to an Authorized Dealer: Never take your vehicle to an independent repair shop or unauthorized mechanic for warranty issues. Under California law, only repair attempts made by the manufacturer's authorized dealership count toward your total. 
2. Request and Keep Every Single Repair Order: Every time you drop off your car, ensure the service advisor writes down your exact complaints. When you pick up your car, request a detailed, printed repair invoice that documents the dates the car was in the shop, what parts were replaced, and what work was performed. 
3. Review Your Invoices for Accuracy: Make sure the "date in" and "date out" on the papers are accurate before you leave the dealership. The invoice must accurately represent the five days that your car was in the repair because those days count toward the 30-day out-of-service limit. 
4. Consult an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney: Do not try to negotiate a buyback directly with the manufacturer on your own. They often offer lowball settlements, cash-and-keep deals, or trade-in credits that are worth far less than what you are legally entitled to under California law. 

Affordable Representation with No Out-of-Pocket Legal Fees 

Many consumers hesitate to contact a lawyer because they are worried about high hourly legal bills. However, hiring a Lemon Law attorney costs you absolutely nothing out of pocket.

A victorious consumer is entitled to have the car manufacturer pay their reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and legal expenditures immediately under the California Lemon Law.

Furthermore, we represent buyers of both new and used vehicles. You can still file a Lemon Law claim for a used or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, provided you purchased it from a licensed dealership and it was sold with an active manufacturer’s warranty, a certified pre-owned warranty, or a written dealer warranty. Even if your vehicle's warranty has expired, you can still pursue a claim as long as the mechanical or electrical defects first occurred and were reported to the authorized dealer while the warranty was still active. 

Partner with a Trusted Glendale Lemon Law Advocate 

Don't let an auto manufacturer leave you stuck with a dangerous, unreliable vehicle and a mountain of car payments. Let the Law Offices of Michelle Choe, APLC take over the legal fight. We will handle the phone calls, demand letters, and legal briefs so you can get back to driving a safe, reliable vehicle. 

Contact us today to speak directly with attorney Michelle Choe in a free, no-obligation, and completely confidential consultation.