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Everybody loves those cute VW bugs and VW vans – until something goes wrong with them. Whether it’s an engine that grinds, automatic seats that don’t work, or problems with the brakes, thank goodness there’s a VW lemon lawyer who can protect you and provide a legal remedy. After all, you shouldn’t get stuck with a lemon VW after you bought it in good faith. That’s not fair.

Volkswagen Lemon Law

Under the Volkswagen lemon law, if you purchase a defective VW, you are legally entitled to a refund, or the vehicle can be replaced at Volkswagen’s cost. At Neale & Fhima, we work tirelessly to enforce the lemon law rights of our clients. California has one of the most consumer-friendly lemon laws in the country, and it applies to both new and used cars.

We know you are frustrated and tired of having a vehicle that spends more time in the repair shop than on the road. We’re sure you wish you hadn’t chosen the vehicle you did. But don’t get stuck in the problem when our Volkswagen lemon lawyer can provide a solution. Take charge and move forward with a VW lemon law lawyer at your side.

Why Choose Us as Your Volkswagen Lemon Law Lawyer?

Not all VW lemon lawyers are created equal. Some are, frankly, better than others. We think our legal team is outstanding. Attorney Aaron Fhima is a tough negotiator who is smart and committed to his clients. He has been handling Volkswagen lemon law cases for many years, and he knows the complexities and nuances of the state statute. California’s lemon law is a great example of how the state legislature can empower consumers, but when it comes to clarity, the text of the law leaves much to be desired. Our Volkswagen lemon lawyer understands the quirks of the statute, as well as the many court opinions interpreting it. We put that knowledge to work for you. We have many satisfied clients who refer their friends, family, and work colleagues to us. We know you’ll be impressed with our exceptional client service.

How We Can Help

At Neale & Fhima, our VW lemon attorney has successfully handled hundreds of claims filed by clients who bought defective VWs and had to endure drawn-out interactions with car dealerships. Here are the ways we can help with your VW lemon law buyback or replacement. We will:

  1. Explain your legal rights
  2. Familiarize you with your options for a remedy
  3. Build a claim based on California statutes and case law
  4. Gather evidence that supports your claim, including evidence of your repeated attempts to have the defect fixed
  5. Negotiate with the dealership/manufacturer to achieve a favorable outcome.

Our Volkswagen lemon lawyer wants you to know that you don’t have to get stuck with a defective car, SUV, or truck. Call Neale & Fhima now at 888-407-2955 to find out about your legal rights.

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Neale & Fhima has a 99% success rate in lemon law cases!

Is Your VW a Lemon?

A Volkswagen “lemon” is a Jetta, Gulf, Passat, Tiguan, Beetle or other VW vehicle that has never really worked correctly during its warranty period. Whether it’s sluggish acceleration, engine problems, electrical malfunction, steering issues, broken navigation system, or a myriad of other l problems, these VWs never function correctly no matter how many times you take them in for repairs. To determine whether you have a Volkswagen lemon law claim, check to see whether your new VW is still under the original manufacturer’s warranty. If it is, you likely have a claim. If you own a used VW, then you will need one of three specific warranties to have a Volkswagen lemon law claim. These warranties are discussed in greater detail in a separate section below. Either way, you need to have made a reasonable number of attempts to get your new Volkswagen repaired before filing a legal claim.

The VW lemon law states that your car or truck must have “nonconformities,” which are defined as any defect or malfunction that is covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty. As described by law, nonconformities compromise the USE, VALUE, or SAFETY of the vehicle. There are many defects that could affect your Volkswagen’s safety, but there is no requirement under the law that the defect actually endangers you. So, if the VW has a defect with the check engine light, fuel gauge or speedometer or its automatic mirrors, the mere fact that they work unpredictably could be enough to be the basis of a Volkswagen lemon law claim.

To determine if you have a VW lemon law claim, check to see whether your new vehicle repairs were made under VW’s manufacturer’s warranty. If so, you probably have a claim. Keep in mind that all repair attempts must be made by a VW authorized agent. Don’t take your vehicle to an independent neighborhood mechanic because that will void your Volkswagen lemon law protection.

If you own a used vehicle, then you will need one of three specific warranties to have a VW lemon law claim. These warranties are listed in a separate section below. The Volkswagen lemon law says that you need to have made a “reasonable number of attempts” to get your new vehicle repaired before filing a legal claim. Find out more in: Do You Have a Lemon?

Common defects that affect safety include:

  • Electrical issues
  • Poor acceleration
  • Engine issues
  • Door locks don’t work
  • Steering issues
  • Fuel gauges and speedometer don’t work
  • Braking problems (not just squeaking)
  • Battery dies regularly, or drains irregularly
  • Transmission issues.

Many other defects also qualify for VW lemon law protection, too. If you’re not certain whether your vehicle’s flaw is covered by the Volkswagen lemon law, give us a call, and our VW lemon lawyer can assess your claim.

VW Lemon Law Buyback

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, otherwise known as the California lemon law, if you purchase a defective VW, you are legally entitled to a refund (buyback), or the vehicle can be replaced at the manufacturer’s cost. The VW lemon law buyback is one of the most popular options for a remedy among clients. In a buyback, the manufacturer must take back the defective vehicle and refund your money, including the down payment, taxes, fees, and monthly car payments made to date. Your refund will be the total purchase price less a pro-rated amount to account for your usage (the mileage you drove while you owned the vehicle).

Another legal remedy you can pursue is the “replacement” option in which the auto manufacturer is required to replace your defective car, SUV, or truck with the same or similar VW model. In limited circumstances, our Volkswagen lemon lawyer might also be able to negotiate a third option — “cash and keep” — in which you keep the vehicle you currently have, and VW will pay you a lump sum to compensate for the defect.

California has one of the most extensive and buyer-friendly VW lemon laws in the nation to ensure consumer protection. When you hire Neale & Fhima, a VW lemon lawyer will help you take a look at your options so you can make an informed decision. Find out more in: What to Do if You Have a Lemon.

A Volkswagen Defect Lawyer Answers FAQs

These Volkswagen lemon law FAQs will help provide answers to some common questions our VW defect lawyer often hears from clients. We hope they’re helpful.

  • What types of things void the lemon law?

    There are indeed circumstances that will void your lemon law claim. The Volkswagen lemon law does not cover the following situations:

    • After-market parts and modifications added subsequent to purchase
    • Defects caused by owner abuse and neglect
    • Flaws caused by a vehicle collision or inclement weather
    • Minor defects like small scratches or frayed carpeting
    • Claims filed after the statute of limitations has expired.
  • How long does a VW lemon law buyback claim take?

    Every case is different depending on the facts involved, but some Volkswagen lemon law buyback claims can be handled in as little as 30 days. Others can take 60-90 days or more. Our VW lemon lawyer can assess your claim and give you an idea of how long it might take.

  • Does the California lemon law cover things other than cars, trucks, and SUVs?

    Yes, the California lemon law not only provides protection for all VW makes and models – traditional combustion engines, electric cars, and hybrids – but also covers RVs, boats, motorcycles, travel trailers, and appliances.

  • Will the Volkswagen lemon law protect me if I purchased a vehicle in a private sale?

    Unfortunately, no. The VW lemon law does not apply to private sales or when a vehicle is purchased in “as is” condition. So, buyer beware.

  • How much are your legal fees for a VW lemon law claim?

    Our legal fees and case expenses are paid by the manufacturer in successful VW lemon law claims! We work on contingency, which means we get paid by the defendant in your claim.

At Neale & Fhima, a VW defect lawyer is happy to answer all your questions. That’s why we offer a free consultation.

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How Does VW Lemon Law Buyback Work?

The process starts by filing a claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer. A Volkswagen lemon law attorney at Neale & Fhima can do this on your behalf. Remember also to check and see if there are any VW recalls because this can be a way to get a dealership to fix your car for free.

If you must file a VW lemon law claim, we promise that our Volkswagen lemon lawyer will be tough. We expect push-back from manufacturers on these claims, and we are not intimidated by this. At Neale & Fhima, we pride ourselves on creating legal strategies that give our clients the best possible opportunities to succeed. Our experience in lemon law claims ensures our success.

To prevail in a Volkswagen lemon law claim, you will have to show that you made “reasonable attempts” to repair the defect. So, you will want to keep all receipts, repair documentation, and work orders from each one of your repair attempts. State law does not define “reasonable attempts” with precision, but there are guidelines that help determine if you have a VW lemon. Here are some things to keep in mind:

If the mechanical problem… The dealer is allowed…
Affects vehicle’s use/value/safety At least 4 repair attempts
Affects vehicle’s use/value/safety & poses risk of injury or death At least 2 repair attempts
Affects vehicle’s use/value/safety & vehicle in repair shop more than 30 days No additional repair attempts

What Are the Steps to Filing a VW Lemon Law Claim?

The first step is to determine that your new car VW warranty is still in effect; remember, service contracts and extended warranties do not count. Then the process includes sending a demand letter to Volkswagen. A VW lemon lawyer at Neale & Fhima can do this on your behalf. Our attorneys expect resistance, because auto manufacturers are multinational corporations with dozens of lawyers who work hard to defeat lawsuits and block financial payouts. At Neale & Fhima, we pride ourselves on creating legal strategies that give our clients the best possible opportunities to succeed with their legal claims. Find out more in: The Lemon Law Claims Process.

What About the Volkswagen Lemon Law and Used Cars?

Some VW used cars are covered under California’s lemon law depending on whether your car has a warranty. You must have one of three specific warranties for the law to apply.

  1. TRANSFERRED VW NEW CAR WARRANTY
    As a buyer of a recent model VW used car, you may have a copy of the Volkswagen’s new car warranty. When a titled VW is sold to a new owner and the vehicle is still under its original warranty period, the VW warranty protections transfer to you for the duration of that period.
  2. CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (CPO) WARRANTY
    “Certified Pre-Owned” VWs have more protections than typical used cars. Only authorized dealerships can sell Volkswagen CPOs, so if you bought your vehicle elsewhere this warranty will not apply to you. Certified Pre-Owned means that these VW used vehicles have been inspected, repaired and resold, and therefore they come with a CPO warranty.
  3. LEMON LAW BUYBACK WARRANTY
    If you buy a VW used car that was once a lemon (but Volkswagen repaired it and resold it), then you should have received a “lemon law buyback warranty.” Volkswagen is required to provide new owners of these VW buyback lemons a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty covering the lemon’s defect.

If you have questions about the VW lemon law for used vehicles, which is rather complex, a VW lemon law attorney can help. Call us at 888-407-2955.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for filing a lemon law claim in California is four (4) years from the date a consumer knew or should have known that the vehicle was a lemon. This does not mean that if you have had your VW for more than 4 years, you cannot bring a lemon law claim. Our VW lemon lawyers at Neale & Fhima have successfully “lemoned” vehicles that are over 10 years old. If you have purchased or leased a lemon, you’ll want to start the buyback process quickly. After the statute of limitations has passed, a judge can dismiss your case and you will be barred from a legal remedy.

Choose Neale & Fhima as Your VW Lemon Attorney

We have taken many of these lemon law cases to court and successfully secured legal remedies for our clients. Here are two reasons you should choose us for your VW lemon law claim:

  • Experience. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience.
  • Free Consultations. We will always discuss your situation with you in a free initial consultation before you make any decisions about a claim.

Let’s talk today to determine whether you can take lemon law legal action and get your VW replaced or repaired at no cost. Call our lemon law attorneys at Neale & Fhima at 888-407-2955 for a free conversation about your case. You don’t have to get stuck with a VW that doesn’t work!

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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 ]