(412) 426-4878
Pittsburgh
201 South Highland Ave. Suite 201 Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Ft Washington
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 400 Fort Washington, PA 19034
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(412) 426-4878
201 South Highland Ave. Suite 201 Pittsburgh, PA 15206
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 400 Fort Washington, PA 19034
Picking out a brand-new, shiny car from the dealership is always an exciting event. However, what happens when you drive away with a vehicle that doesn’t work the way it should or even one that’s unsafe to drive? If you notice strange problems with your new purchase or lease, it’s time to contact your local Philadelphia Lemon Law attorneys.
While not all of these cases end up going to court, it’s always helpful to have a lemon law lawyer on your side to help you navigate the intricacies of Pennsylvania Lemon Law.
When car buyers purchase new motor vehicles, they enter into the transaction knowing they’ll receive a safe, reliable, and valuable piece of property. The manufacturer’s warranty that comes with each vehicle is a contract of this reliability and safety. In the vast majority of cases, if you need to claim this warranty, the manufacturer responsible will repair it, refund it, or even offer you a replacement vehicle.
However, what happens when the manufacturer or dealer can’t (or won’t) make things right? This situation is where lemon laws come into play. Specifically, Pennsylvania Lemon Law outlines a set of requirements for both the buyer and the manufacturer to follow when a lemon case goes to court.
All of our Pennsylvania auto law firm members hope that you can solve the issues you encounter outside of court. However, in a legal battle, our Philadelphia Lemon Law attorneys are here to help.
Not all vehicles qualify for a case under Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law. Motorcycles are an excellent example, as are mobile homes, off-road vehicles, and commercial vehicles. Usually, only personal motor vehicles that can transport 15 or fewer people are eligible.
PA Lemon Law does not cover the following:
Vehicles with minor imperfections that don't measurably impact their safety, usability, or value
Damage that originates from a source other than the manufacturer
Unauthorized alterations or repairs that lead to damage
Any vehicles leased before February 11th, 2002
However, Pennsylvania Lemon Law is not just exclusionary; your vehicle must match specific requirements to be a “lemon” as well. For example, in the vast majority of cases, you must report your car as faulty within its first year of ownership (or within 12,000 miles, whichever comes first).
Similarly, the problem with your vehicle needs to be something that its manufacturer’s warranty would initially cover. Fortunately, many issues covered under the car’s warranty can be pursued through a Breach of Warranty case, even after Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law period runs out, as long as the vehicle is still under said warranty.
Finally, you need to make three documented attempts to have your vehicle repaired at the dealership. Luckily, this requirement is not subject to the one-year limit; as long as you report your car as a lemon within the first year, you can take it in for repairs anytime afterward. However, note that if the manufacturer or dealership retains your vehicle for thirty days or more without solving the issue, you may be able to waive this requirement.
If you believe you have a lemon, there are several things you can do to start building a solid case. One of these is maintaining a thorough and organized paper trail, including service receipts, interactions with the dealer, etc.
A paper trail is essential for building a solid lemon case, as the dealership may defend its case. The more detailed information and proof you have, the better.
If you prove that you indeed have a lemon, you have a right to a replacement vehicle or a full refund. While you can attempt to have your car repaired as well, if the dealer couldn’t fix it within their three initial attempts, it may be unrepairable (or not worth repairing in the first place).
If you think you may have a lemon on your hands, contact the Philadelphia Lemon Law attorneys at J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC as soon as possible to find out your options. We work diligently with auto law, so you can be confident that our knowledgeable team can help you move forward confidently with your case. Call our offices at (412) 426-4878 today.
Contact one of our Pittsburgh Lemon Law Attorneys. We’ll evaluate your case for free.
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