Maybe this scenario sounds familiar: someone you know spends thousands of dollars, perhaps financed with a loan at a high interest rate, to buy an exciting new car. Sadly, though, the excitement is short-lived, since the vehicle promptly begins to experience a seemingly endless series of mechanical problems. The warranty service provider does not know what to say about the vehicle; it’s just one of those unfortunate “lemons.” What options are available for this frustrated car owner?
The good news is that Washington has a “Lemon Law” that protects car buyers in certain situations. By law, the manufacturer has to honor a consumer’s demand to repurchase or replace their vehicle if it meets the legal standard of a lemon. To have a winning claim, the car owner must generally begin to experience problems with the vehicle early—within the first two years or 24,000 miles after the original sale. The law defines four specific lemon law claims that trigger repurchase or replacement by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Read more about the specific types of lemon law claims on pages 3-4 in this brochure provided by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a suspected lemon law case, a consumer protection attorney should be able to help you understand your options, value your claim, and protect your interests. If you plan to seek a repurchase or replacement of your vehicle, an attorney can help present your case to the manufacturer or arbitrator.
Our firm has experience serving consumers with lemon law claims. Contact us for a free initial consultation if you would like to discuss your rights concerning a potential lemon. Certain special remedies may be available for owners of specific vehicles covered by class-action settlements; for example, you may have up to six years to pursue a claim for repurchase or replacement of the following Ford vehicles equipped with a PowerShift Transmission if they were originally sold in the United States and its territories:
- 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta;
- 2012-2016 Ford Focus.
If you are having problems with a suspected lemon, especially if it is a Ford vehicle listed above, contact us today to discuss your rights.
