Introduction
Ford vehicles are known for their ruggedness and reliability. However, what happens if you find yourself stuck with a Ford vehicle that has chronic mechanical or electrical issues? In such cases, it’s essential to have an experienced Ford lemon law attorney on your side. Under California’s lemon law, you may be entitled to a legal remedy, such as a repurchase or replacement by Ford Motor Company.
The Reality of Vehicle Defects
It’s surprising how many new cars, trucks, and SUVs have significant defects right off the assembly line. Whether these flaws are due to poor design or workmanship is uncertain. Some of these defects can even pose serious safety risks, causing frustration and inconvenience for the owners.
Imagine the disappointment of purchasing a Ford Escape, Edge, Explorer, Mustang, Taurus, Ranger, or F-150, only to find out it’s a clunker. Fortunately, there is a solution.
Choosing Garrity Traina as Your Ford Defect Lawyer
At Garrity Traina, we specialize in Ford defect and lemon law cases. With over 40 years of experience fighting for lemon law clients in California, our team of lawyers is dedicated to providing professional and compassionate service. Attorney Aaron Fhima, known for his expertise and commitment, will fight hard for your rights as a consumer. Our familiarity with the strategies employed by major manufacturers in the U.S. gives us an edge.
How We Can Assist You
At Garrity Traina, we have successfully handled numerous lemon law claims filed by frustrated clients. Here’s what we can do for you:
- Explain your legal rights and the available remedies.
- Gather evidence to support your claim.
- Build a strong case based on California statutes and case law.
- Prepare and file all necessary forms and legal documents.
- Aggressively litigate your case when required.
- Negotiate with manufacturers on your behalf to rectify the situation.
To begin your claim, contact a Ford lemon law attorney at Garrity Traina for a free consultation. We’re here to help you.
Is Your Ford a Lemon?
A “lemon” refers to a vehicle that requires constant repairs due to recurring problems. These problems could be related to braking, transmission, engine, electrical systems, or other flaws that prevent the vehicle from functioning correctly. If your vehicle is still covered under the original Ford Motor Company warranty, you likely have a claim. Used vehicles may also qualify for lemon law protection if certain warranties are in place. To increase your chances of success, it’s crucial to have a winning Ford lemon law attorney by your side.
Defects That Qualify for Lemon Law Protection
Under the lemon law in California, your vehicle must have “nonconformities” that impair its use, value, or safety. Nonconformities are defined as defects or malfunctions that are covered by Ford Motor Company’s original warranty. Additionally, you need to demonstrate that you made reasonable attempts to have the problem repaired by a Ford authorized agent. A Ford lemon law attorney can provide guidance on what constitutes reasonable attempts. It’s vital to keep all repair-related documentation as evidence.
Here are some defects that do and do not qualify for lemon law protection:
Qualify for Lemon Law Protection:
- Exhaust problems
- Electrical malfunctions
- Defective brakes
- Poor steering
- Faulty transmission
- Mechanical difficulties
Do Not Qualify for Lemon Law Protection:
- Problems arising from repair attempts by unauthorized agents or owners
- Defects caused by motor vehicle accidents
- After-market installations
- Owner abuse and neglect
- Damage caused by weather
If you have doubts about whether your vehicle’s defect qualifies, our experienced professionals can assess your situation and provide a legal opinion.
Ford Lemon Law Buyback: Your Options
If it turns out that you have a Ford lemon, you have two main options: the “buyback” or the “replacement” option. In some cases, Garrity Traina can also negotiate a “cash and keep” option, where Ford pays you a lump sum compensation, and you retain the vehicle. Many consumers prefer the Ford lemon law buyback option, as it promptly provides them with a repurchase and refunds their money. Whatever option you choose, the law aims to make you whole again after an unsatisfactory buying experience.
Ford F-150 and F-Series Lemon Law Buyback
Even the rugged Ford F-150 and F-Series trucks are subject to the lemon law buyback provisions in California. Buyers of these trucks are often looking for reliability, performance, and dependability, making it particularly disappointing when they encounter defects. The Ford F-150 lemon law buyback option offers these consumers a lifeline. By requiring the manufacturer to repurchase or replace the defective truck, buyers have a chance to get the reliable, dependable, and workhorse of a truck they deserve.
The Ford Buyback Program: How It Works
Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (lemon law), if you purchase a defective Ford vehicle, you have the option to get your money back from Ford Motor Company and return the vehicle. This refund is known as a “buyback.” The process begins by filing a legal claim against the manufacturer, and our attorneys at Garrity Traina can handle this for you. Auto manufacturers often try to limit payouts in lemon law claims, but our aggressive approach ensures the best possible outcome for your claim. Here’s how the Ford buyback program works:
- Your attorney demonstrates how the defect compromises the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
- You make reasonable attempts to have the defect repaired by a Ford authorized agent.
- You provide evidence of these attempts, such as repair receipts and work orders.
- Your attorney initiates a lemon law claim and notifies the manufacturer.
If your claim is successful, you will receive financial compensation from the manufacturer. Ford will take possession of your vehicle and provide a refund of the purchase price, considering the depreciation/mileage before the first repair attempt. If you financed the vehicle, Ford will refund the payments and down payment while paying off the loan at your lending institution. Additionally, you will receive a refund of registration fees, taxes, and other costs. That’s how the Ford buyback program works.
Ford Lemon Law Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for filing a California lemon law claim is four (4) years from the date when a consumer knew or should have known that the vehicle was a lemon. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot bring a lemon law claim if you’ve owned the vehicle for more than four years. Our attorneys have successfully handled lemon law cases involving vehicles over ten years old. It’s always best to initiate your lemon law claim as soon as possible to avoid potential legal complications.
Ford Lemon Law and Used Cars
Certain used cars can be covered under California’s Lemon Law, depending on the presence of one of three specific warranties:
Transferred New Car Warranty
When you buy a recent model used Ford vehicle, you likely receive a copy of the Ford new car warranty. If the Ford vehicle is still under its original warranty period when it is sold to a new owner, the warranty protections transfer to the new owner for the remaining duration of that period.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Warranty
Certified Pre-Owned Ford vehicles offer additional protections compared to regular used cars. Authorized dealerships sell CPOs, so if you purchased your Ford elsewhere, you may not have this warranty. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles have undergone repairs, inspections, and reselling by Ford, which means they come with a CPO Ford Motor Company warranty.
Lemon Law Buyback Warranty
If you buy a used Ford vehicle that was previously classified as a lemon (but has since been repaired and resold by Ford), you should have received a “lemon law buyback warranty.” According to the law, manufacturers like Ford are required to provide new owners of these buyback lemons with a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty covering the lemon’s defect. Our attorneys can assist in determining if your vehicle is covered under any of these warranties.
Why You Can Trust Our Ford Lemon Law Lawyers
Choosing the right legal representation is crucial when dealing with a Ford lemon law case. Here’s why you should trust our team of Ford lemon law attorneys at Garrity Traina:
- Years of Experience: With over 40 years of combined experience representing clients throughout California, our Ford defect lawyers have the expertise to handle your case.
- Valuing Client Relationships: Unlike high-volume law firms, we take the time to understand our clients and their needs. This personal approach enables us to craft settlement agreements tailored to individual requirements.
- Proven Success: We have achieved a 99% success rate in handling lemon law cases. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any particular case, our track record speaks for our skilled Ford lemon law attorneys.
Contact a Ford Lemon Law Attorney Today
If you find yourself with a Ford lemon, our experienced attorneys at Garrity Traina are here to help. We have successfully taken many lemon law cases to court and emerged victorious. With a 99% success rate, we are committed to providing exceptional client service and satisfaction. Don’t let a lemon vehicle ruin your experience. Call us today at 888-407-2955 for a free initial consultation about your claim. Trust us to fight for your rights and seek the justice you deserve.
