California Lemon Law Blog

According to an edmunds.com article, a man received a full refund of $240,000 for his 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder after repeatedly visiting dealers in both Seattle, Washington and Scottsdale, Arizona to seek a repair for the high-pitched brakes in his car. Neither dealer was able to fix the problem, even after Lamborghini had technicians fly out to work on the Gallardo. The owner still complained that the brakes were making too much noise.

This refund may seem shocking especially to those of us who do not own a luxury car, but the Lamborghini-owner’s story is encouraging in that lemon laws throughout the country should be upheld under qualifying circumstances to protect consumer rights.

The state of Washington’s lemon-law arbitration program was updated earlier this year so that it is more wide-ranging, applying to a greater number of vehicles. Due to the value of the man’s car in this particular case, the panel met and ruled in his favor, saying that Lamborghini must give the vehicle owner his money back. Their decision was based on Washington law, which states that the customer can get his or her money back for a vehicle that has been taken in unsuccessfully for repairs at least twice within 12 months.

Although this incident took place in the state of Washington, California's lemon law is just as important in ensuring that consumers’ rights are secured. In California, if during the first 18 months of vehicle ownership or 18,000 miles, there have been at least two unsuccessful attempts at fixing a problem that makes the vehicle unsafe, it is presumed that the vehicle is a lemon qualifying for a refund. Compensation may also be given after four or more attempts that prove to be unsuccessful for the same problem, or after 30 or more days out of service during that same time period.