Why Is It Called a Lemon Car?

You may have heard the terminology “lemon” and wondered what this fruit has to do with cars. The term lemons naturally suggests something that has a sour taste, so in the automotive world, it relates to cars that don’t perform properly. It may be traced back to being used in the 1960s, but it’s possible the term was around even earlier than that. Because it’s troublesome dealing with defective vehicles, it’s critical that you understand your rights.

No one expects a new car to have unrepairable defects, but it tends to happen more often than it should. Thankfully, there’s protection through California Lemon law, which provides you with compensation if you are dealing with a defective vehicle.

Navigating these laws can be tricky if you don’t have a legal background, but The Lemon Pros has the experience you are looking for, with a practice area focused solely on defective vehicles. By dealing exclusively with California Lemon law, we know the ins and outs of it and can help you get compensation as quickly as possible. Contact us for support during a lemon law case.

In this guide, we dive deeper into California lemon laws and why it’s necessary to serve and protect consumers. We also look closer at the term lemon and show why it defines bad cars.

Why Are Bad Cars Called Lemons?

When talking about ''lemons,'' any online etymology dictionary is going to give you the definition related to the fruit, as they have been around long before cars. Lemons are typically associated with leaving a sour taste, with them being undesirable to some because of that.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that we have documentation of the word “lemon” being used to discuss a defective product. It quickly gained traction as a slang term among journalists and consumers, giving some car models a bad reputation because of defects.

As laws started being implemented in the 1970s for these defective vehicles, the slang words grew even more popular. While some suggest that the term originated from the Yiddish word “lemn,” carrying the meaning of something being worthless, there’s no proof of this theory. Today, the term can occasionally be heard in British slang, but it’s much more popular in American English slang.

However, the slang word goes beyond the car world and can be used to define any product that doesn’t work properly. It’s been used to define certain brands of DVD players, smartphones, laptops, appliances and sporting goods. The word lemon simply conveys that an item sold to consumers didn’t perform as expected.

How "Lemons" Became Associated with Cars

The first mainstream mention of “lemon” occurred in a 1966 Los Angeles Times article written by David E. Davis Jr. He was referring to a defective car, pointing out various consumer frustrations with a few models. This article may be the first recognized popularization of the term in relation to automobiles.

Over the next couple of decades, several vehicles earned the nickname of being a lemon. One of the most notable is the 1971 Ford Pinto. It was infamous for a bad fuel tank design, leading to explosions after rear-end collisions. Many lawsuits were filed in relation to the Pinto flaws, further damaging Ford’s reputation and leading to more consumer protection.

Ford wasn’t the only manufacturer to face incredible consumer backlash because of a defective car. Chevy also faced trouble with the Vega, known for serious rust complaints and a poor build. Chrysler also fell in the line of fire with the K-Car because of its poor reliability.

Sadly, the rise of lemon cars has only gotten worse in the modern age. New cars are pushed through assembly lines at alarming rates and there’s little regard to quality control. The same lines manufacture multiple vehicles, making it even more difficult for automakers to know what’s going on. In addition, dealerships continue misleading consumers and run misleading ads that only accentuate the problems.

What Are California Lemon Laws?

California Lemon laws are laws designed for consumer protection. While the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act allows for federal protection, it’s the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act that is critical when dealing with a bad car in California. A lemon car is defined as a vehicle with warrantied defects that cannot be repaired in a reasonable time. For a new vehicle to be deemed a lemon, it must fall under the following criteria:

• The car contains a factory warranty that covers the defect.
• Its defect was first reported within 18,000 miles or 18 months of taking ownership of the vehicle.
• The substantial defect must affect the value, use or safety of the vehicle.
• With serious safety issues, the repair shop must have attempted to fix the defect at least twice, while other issues require a minimum of four unsuccessful repair attempts (as long as they fall within 30 days total).

There are also some protections for used vehicles, although the regulations are different and the car must be purchased from an authorized dealership.

Wondering how Lemon law works? If your car qualifies as a lemon, you may be due compensation or a new vehicle. First, you would need to contact the manufacturer and dealer, letting them know of the complaint. They have the opportunity to make it right before you file a claim. If not, a Lemon law case is started with the documentation you have and the manufacturer can provide arbitration to work out the details. If that’s not satisfactory, it’s possible that you may need to go to court for further compensation.

How to Identify a Lemon Vehicle?

An automobile with significant unrepairable defects may be considered a lemon. It will continue to suffer from the same problems, even after service. Because Lemon laws consist of defects that affect safety, value or use, there are so many examples of what would qualify. One example would be persistent engine performance problems with an oil leak, but there’s also room in that definition for a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Corrosion or structural issues are also a concern, as are defective safety systems, such as a failing airbag.

As we’ve stated earlier, there is some room for coverage for used cars, but the majority of the laws describe new vehicles. For a used car to qualify, it would need to have been purchased from a dealership and come with warranty coverage.

What to Do if You Suspect You Have a Lemon Car?

It’s critical that you know what to do if your car is a lemon. Time is of the essence if you expect a new vehicle or any compensation. For starters, you want to document everything surrounding a potential case. This means that you need the original purchase or lease agreement, warranty paperwork and any documentation of the issues. You should promptly make an appointment with the authorized repair facility to have the issue resolved. If there’s no resolution, write down the name of everyone you spoke with, the date of the appointment, and the outcome.

You can continue to follow up with the manufacturer and dealer to see if there’s a resolution in the future. During that time, you also want to speak with a qualified lemon law attorney who can help you understand your rights. If need be, they can get involved in the case and try to have it resolved before a claim is filed. You may also need a third-party inspection of the car to verify the issues. A lawyer will be able to direct your steps in this matter and tell you if it’s going to benefit you.

Once all of the required repair attempts have been completed, it’s time to send a demand letter to the manufacturer and dealer. A lawyer can draft this document for you as to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

The Lemon Pros specialize in getting compensation for drivers of defective cars. We’ve secured millions of dollars for our clients, and the manufacturers know we mean business. Schedule your free consultation with us today.

Potential Outcomes of a Lemon Law Case

If your lemon claim can be proven, there are several outcomes that may occur:

• Replacement vehicle: The manufacturer will replace your vehicle with another that’s similar and of equal value. This replacement will not have the same defects as the one being replaced.
• Refund: The manufacturer can offer to buy back the vehicle, known as a lemon law buyback. You would need to turn the vehicle back into the dealership and you would receive compensation in return. The compensation would take into account any payments you’ve made, additional costs you’ve incurred and how many miles you drove before the problem surfaced. You can use our lemon law buyback calculator to estimate the amount you would get back.
• Compensation for repairs: If you needed to pay for the repairs that should have been covered by the warranty, the manufacturer may be responsible for reimbursing you. Additionally, the manufacturer can ask you for some additional time to repair the car. The warranty may be extended to ensure the issue is worked out.
• Monetary compensation to keep the car: Sometimes, you may be offered money to keep the vehicle. If the problem is insignificant, this may be a good option, but you may lose all rights to file a claim later.
• There’s also the chance that your claim could be denied. If there isn’t enough evidence to support your claims, there may be nothing further that can be done between you and the manufacturer. A qualified lawyer would be able to anticipate this and warn you upfront.

What Is the Duration of the Lemon Law Process in California?

The lemon law process can take a couple of months or longer, depending on how complicated the situation is. If you are a person who’s willing to negotiate with the manufacturer and take a quick settlement, you may not have as long of a process as the driver who wants to force a court case.

It’s important to be aware that a good lemon law attorney is going to help you make the best decision possible, knowing all the details of your case. While you can make your own decisions, it’s wise to listen to those who have experience, especially if you want the largest payout possible.

How to Avoid Buying a Lemon Vehicle in the Car Market?

Before you go shopping, you should know how to avoid buying a lemon car and prevent any issues from the get-go. To begin with, it’s important to buy from a reputable dealership. It’s great when a friend tries to refer you to a dealership, but you should always back up that experience from one’s mouth by looking at all of the online reviews to ensure you found a good one.

Another valuable step is to do your research about the car you want to buy. Check the vehicle history report to ensure a used vehicle was well taken care of. You may also be able to see the last time that the car was maintained. If the car doesn’t pass inspections or hasn’t had a lot of maintenance, it may not be the right vehicle for you.

To avoid being stuck with a lemon, you should also read some online reports about the particular make, model, and year you are looking at. It’s a good idea to research and see if others are having the same types of problems before you decide to go with that brand or model.

Want to Start a Lemon Law Case in California?

In the world of automobiles, a lemon simply implies that the car is defective and cannot be repaired. The issue could be a combination of the unwillingness of a manufacturer to repair the vehicle and the lack of reliable transportation that causes people to file a claim. Thankfully, you have consumer protection rights if you are driving a lemon. We can make the manufacturer play by the rules and earn you the compensation you deserve.

The Lemon Pros are here to help before you reach your breaking point. If you are thinking about filing a lemon law claim, it’s important to consult with professional lemon law attorneys in California who have a proven track record of winning, as we do. Contact us for your free case evaluation, and let us help you in dealing with your defective vehicle.