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Taking your brand-new Kia to the mechanic repeatedly within weeks or months after buying it is a serious, annoying problem. Talk about frustration! You’re not alone. You don’t have to get stuck with a lemon.

Contact a Kia lemon law attorney at Neale & Fhima to get some help. We have many years of experience helping car owners just like you. Under certain circumstances, we can sometimes help consumers who purchased a used Kia.

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, you have the legal right to a refund if you purchase a defective Kia with a manufacturer’s warranty. Alternatively, Kia can replace the car at Kia’s cost.

At Neale & Fhima, we use the law to your advantage and work aggressively to enforce our clients’ Kia lemon law rights. California’s lemon law applies to both new and used cars.

We know you were excited when you bought your sporty Kia, and now you feel let down. But act now so that you can move on with your life. If you’ve purchased a Kia Sportage, Sorento, Soul, Telluride, Forte, or other Kia model that turns out to be defective, don’t get stuck with a lemon. Call a Kia lemon law attorney instead.

Contact a Kia lemon law attorney at Neale & Fhima today at 888-407-2955 for your free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!

How We Can Help

Here are the top ten reasons it makes sense to work with an experienced Kia lemon lawyer in California. Our experienced California Kia lemon law attorneys can:

  • Help you understand your legal rights and options
  • Provide invaluable advice on handling your case and the best way to pursue a resolution, including the possibility of benefiting from the Kia lemon law buyback program
  • Help you evaluate the merits of your case, and as a Kia defect lawyer, explain the applicable legal standards
  • Guide you through the complicated process of filing a lemon law claim
  • Help you negotiate with the manufacturer, dealer, or warranty company to get the best resolution possible
  • Represent you in court to ensure that your rights are protected
  • Help you determine the amount of damages or compensation you should seek
  • Help you understand the statutes of limitations and other deadlines that may apply in your case
  • Help you navigate the appeals process, if necessary
  • Provide valuable insights and advice on how to avoid similar problems in the future.

Is Your Kia a Lemon?

There are specific ways to determine whether you have a lemon. California law defines a Kia lemon as an SUV, car, or other Kia vehicle with mechanical or electrical problems.

Whether it’s a sluggish acceleration, an engine or transmission that malfunctions, electrical issues, or other serious problems, these Kia vehicles don’t drive safely and reliably, no matter how many times you take them in for repairs.

To determine whether you have a Kia lemon law claim, check to see whether your vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or if the repairs performed on the car happened during the warranty period. If so, you probably have a claim.

If you own a used vehicle, you will need one of three particular warranties for a Kia lemon law claim. (More on this below.) The Kia lemon law stipulates there must be nonconformities present. Find out more at Do You Have a Lemon?

A nonconformity is any defect or malfunction covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty or a Certified Pre-Owned Warranty. Nonconformities compromise the use, value, or safety of your Kia. The statute of limitations under Kia lemon law is four years from the date you knew about the defect or should have known about the defect.

When it comes to filing a Kia lemon law claim, the sooner, the better. Get ready by making copies of your repair bills and work orders. Call a Kia lemon law attorney right away. The longer you wait, the more frustrated you may become.

To prevail in a Kia lemon law claim, you must show that you made “reasonable attempts” to allow a mechanic to fix the problem. However, the law is vague about how many dealership trips constitute “reasonable attempts.”

The California lemon law says you may have an eligible Kia in the following circumstances:

  • The Kia had a minimum of two repairs attempted for a defect that could lead to death or serious injury if you drive the car. Defects must impair the auto’s use, value, or safety.
  • You brought the vehicle to the dealership a reasonable number of times to remedy the same defect.
  • The automobile has been at a Kia dealership for repairs of the same defect for at least 30 days since you acquired the car.

Even if you do not meet the above criteria, you may still have a claim!

Call a Kia lemon law lawyer at Neale & Fhima today if any of these criteria are similar to your situation. Why wait? The problem will likely only get worse. We’re here to help. Call us at 888-407-2955 for a free consultation.

The History of KIA Engine Problems

As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles have encountered issues related to engine failure and fires since 2015. Notably, the federal oversight agency inquired into how the automakers managed recalls associated with these engine-related complications.

For example, back in 2015, Hyundai issued a recall for 470,000 Sonatas from the model years 2011-2012 due to engine failures. The root cause of this problem was traced to manufacturing defects that led to the presence of metal debris. This debris could obstruct oil passages, ultimately leading to engine failure.

Although Kia vehicles remained unaffected at that juncture, Kia had to initiate a recall in 2017, including 618,000 vehicles, due to the same engine flaw. Furthermore, there are indications that Kia had prior knowledge of this defect. In 2016, the automaker introduced an extended warranty program following a surge in consumer grievances. If not for the revelation by a Hyundai employee who first reported the issue to the South Korean government in 2015, the engine defect might never have come to public attention.

Common Defects in Kias

Any instance that impairs your Kia’s functionality, safety, or value is categorized as a defect. Kia vehicles often exhibit various defects due to the brand’s extensive production range, with each model having its issues. Among these defects, airbag problems are particularly dangerous for Kia owners.

Instances have been documented where airbags failed to activate during collisions, resulting in severe head injuries. Additionally, certain Kia vehicles have been susceptible to vehicle fires, with reports of spontaneous ignition threatening road users.

We advise you to arrange a free initial consultation if you encounter any of the aforementioned concerns or other related problems. This will allow you to engage with a Kia lemon law attorney and discuss the issues your vehicle is experiencing.

Kias commonly exhibit the following defects:

  • Alternator issues
  • Engine seizure
  • Battery malfunction
  • Timing chain anomalies
  • Starting failures
  • Engine breakdown
  • Oil leakage
  • Audible crankiness or clunking sounds
  • Electrical malfunctions
  • Power loss
  • Dim or non-functional headlights
  • Reduced acceleration.

How Does a Kia Lemon Law Buyback Work?

California has one of the most extensive Kia lemon laws in the nation to ensure that consumers like you don’t get stuck with a defective vehicle. If it turns out that you have a lemon, your options are either (1) to have Kia repurchase or replace your vehicle or (2) to negotiate a cash settlement with Kia.

When you hire Neale & Fhima, our Kia lemon law lawyers will help you explore your options to make the best decision for you.

Find out more at What to Do if You Have a Lemon.

The process starts by filing a claim against Kia, and one of our lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima can do this on your behalf. When you hire a Kia lemon law lawyer, you don’t have to worry about the legal process or court filings. We’ll handle all that and keep you informed every step of the way.

As aggressive Kia lemon law attorneys, we pride ourselves on creating legal strategies that weigh things in favor of our clients so that they have the greatest chances of success. Find out more at The Lemon Law Claims Process.

Why Choose Neale & Fhima?

Our Kia lemon law attorneys are some of the best and the brightest. We’ve taken many of these cases to court and won. The lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima are committed to every client’s case, and we quickly respond to your phone calls.

Here are a few of the reasons you should choose us:

Specialization in Automotive Cases

We have specialized knowledge about automotive-related legal cases, including lemon law cases, which sets us apart from general practitioners. We are familiar with the technical aspects of Kia vehicles, potential manufacturing defects, and the specific challenges that may arise in your Kia lemon law case. This specialized knowledge enables us to build compelling arguments and provide comprehensive legal guidance tailored to your situation.

Client-Centered Approach

Our Kia lemon law lawyers are committed to putting clients first. We understand that each lemon law case is unique, and we take the time to listen to your concerns, thoroughly evaluate the facts, and develop a personalized strategy. This client-centered approach ensures that your needs are prioritized, and your best interests are represented throughout the legal process.

Strong Negotiation Skills

Many lemon law cases can be resolved through negotiation or settlement discussions. Kia lemon law attorneys are skilled negotiators who can engage with manufacturers, dealerships, and other parties to seek a favorable resolution on your behalf. Our reputation for effective negotiation often prompts opposing parties to take your case seriously, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Proven Success

Our track record of successful lemon law cases speaks volumes about their ability to secure favorable outcomes for their clients. Our prior achievements demonstrate our commitment to excellence and ability to navigate lemon law litigation’s complexities effectively.

If you have a defective Kia car or SUV, talk to one of our Kia lemon law attorneys today. Call us at 888-407-2955.

Will Kia Buy Back My Car?

Yes, if you meet all the guidelines in the California lemon law, there’s an option for Kia to buy back your car. You must have a car manufacturer’s warranty or one of three specific used car warranties. You must have made a reasonable number of attempts to get the car fixed. You must prove that “nonconformities” exist in your Kia.

These criteria may sound challenging, and they are if you’re not accustomed to dealing with the law. That’s where we can help. Leave it to our Kia lemon law attorneys to answer the question: Will Kia buy back my car? Don’t stay up nights trying to figure that out yourself.

The Kia lemon law states that Kia must offer lemon law buybacks for new cars if the manufacturer cannot repair a defect that substantially impacts the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.

Whether the Kia defect substantially impacts these things is an objective test. This test means your opinion on the matter is of no concern. For a deficiency to affect your Kia’s safety, the defect must be something that another reasonable person would think is unsafe.

For a used Kia to meet lemon law guidelines, you’ll need to possess one of these types of warranties:

  • Transferred New Car Warranty
  • Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Warranty
  • Lemon Law Buyback Warranty.

A California Kia lemon law attorney can explain these individual warranties and help you determine whether you have one. If you bought your used Kia “as is,” you’re likely out of luck.

There are no Kia lemon law protections when purchased “as is” unless you can prove there was fraud involved in the sales transaction.

FAQs About Kia Lemons

What qualifies a car as a “lemon”?

A “lemon” is a car that is defective. Repairs fail despite multiple attempts. Legally, a vehicle found to have a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts is considered a lemon.

How do I know if I have a lemon car?

If your car has had multiple attempts at repair, has been in the shop for an extended time, or suffers from a major defect such as a faulty engine or transmission, it could be a lemon car.

How many attempts are allowed to repair a car in California before it is legally called a lemon?

In California, a car is legally a lemon if it has been in for repair at an authorized repair facility four or more times for the same issue or if it has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

Is it safe to drive a lemon car?

It depends on the defect. What makes “lemon” vehicles so frustrating is that auto manufacturers know that some “lemon” vehicles are not safe to drive, and instead of taking the cars back, they refuse to and force people to keep driving them. A lemon car is a car that has significant defects or mechanical problems, so it is not safe to drive.

How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in California?

The statute of limitations in California is four years from the date you knew or should have known the vehicle was a lemon. Even if you have had your vehicle for over 4 years, you can still likely file a lemon law claim.

What is the history of the lemon law for cars in California?

The California lemon law was established in 1982 by passing Senate Bill 522. This law provides consumers with legal protection when purchasing or leasing a new or used vehicle that turns out to be a “lemon” — a car with a substantial defect that is not repairable after a reasonable number of attempts.

The law requires the manufacturer to refund or replace the vehicle if it does not meet the minimum quality and performance standards. Amendments were made to the California lemon law in 1999 and 2003 to add additional consumer protections.

The 1999 amendment requires the manufacturer to provide a rental car for lemon law cases. The 2003 amendment requires that manufacturers include a “lemon law rights” notice in the purchase and lease contracts of new vehicles.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Office of the Attorney General enforce the California lemon law. Consumers who believe they have purchased a lemon can file a complaint with the DMV or file a civil lawsuit.

If the case is successful, the consumer may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or vehicle repair. There is a brochure from the California Department of Consumer Affairs with more information and Q&As about California’s lemon law.

Contact a California Lemon Law Attorney Today

There’s a four-year statute of limitation on Kia lemon law cases, so if your Kia is defective, don’t wait! Call Neale & Fhima today so we can determine whether you have a claim and get started on the paperwork if you do.

If you feel like you’re the kind of person who doesn’t file lawsuits, remember this — you’re suing the manufacturer, not a person, and you’re simply asking Kia to stand behind its product.

Call a California lemon law attorney today at 888-407-2955 for a free initial consultation.

Attorney Aaron Fhima

Aaron Fhima, California attorneyAaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]