An Alfa Romeo can be associated with luxury and performance, but ongoing issues can ruin that experience, leading to frustration from the owner of the vehicle. If you are undergoing such frustration with your newly purchased or leased vehicle, you may have a lemon depending on the frequency of the issue you are presented with.
In California, lemon law cases give owners protection when their vehicles are facing complications that manufacturers or dealers cannot resolve even after a reasonable number of attempts. If your Alfa Romeo qualifies as a lemon, you may be entitled to seek a refund, replacement, or cash compensation.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our lemon law attorneys can direct you through the process, meet filing deadlines, and communicate with the opposing side to ensure you are granted a remedy you are satisfied with. We will also pursue litigation to enforce your rights, if necessary. With our strong track record of achieving client satisfaction, we will not stop until we have explored every avenue to acquire a fair resolution for you.
Our legal team operates under a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay any upfront costs. Our fee is collected only if we win your case. To book a FREE consultation, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our convenient online contact form.
How California’s Lemon Law Protects Alfa Romeo Owners
California Lemon Law, based on the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (California Civil Code §§ 1790–1795.8), gives protection to Alfa Romeo owners who have gas-powered or electric vehicles with defects that affect its use, reliability, and value, and cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
This law can apply to new and used vehicles (Certified Pre-Owned cars that are issued a manufacturer’s warranty at the time of purchase).Typically, a vehicle qualifies as a lemon if the authorized manufacturer or dealership cannot fix the same problem after 2 to 4 repair attempts (CIV § 1793.22(b)(2)). For instance, if the situation poses a risk of serious injury or death, only two tries may be enough to have the vehicle classified as a lemon. For less dangerous circumstances, the threshold may extend to four attempts before the law deems the vehicle beyond repair.
In addition, if your Alfa Romeo is out of service for more than 30 cumulative days, it can also meet the criteria for a lemon law claim (CVC § 1793.22(b)(3)). Alfa Romeo vehicle owners who experience ongoing complications that remain unresolved, whether it be brake system issues or engine failure, may ultimately have grounds to pursue legal action under CIV § 1793.2.
What Vehicles Are Covered by the California Lemon Law?
The state’s lemon law protects California consumers who purchase or lease lemon vehicles that have ongoing defects significantly impairing safety, use, or value. This will essentially apply to the following:
- Cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.
- Vehicles bought or leased for personal, family, or household purposes.
- The chassis, chassis cab, and drive train of a motor home.
- Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators.
- Vehicles purchased or leased for business use (business fleet requirements consist of less than five vehicles and gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds).
Which Alfa Romeo Models Have the Most Reported Issues?
Alfa Romeo vehicles are known for their style and performance, but some have experienced recurring defects that could qualify under California Lemon Law. Below are a few notable models and years that have had consumers file complaints over commonly reported issues:
- Alfa Romeo Giulia: Although the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia has the highest number of complaints, the 2018 edition was rated the most problematic due to its high repair cost and issues occurring at lower mileage. A pressing issue that has been shared by users is bumper disengagement, particularly with the 2018 Giulia.
- Alfa Romeo Tonale: Similar to the Giulia, the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale has also been reported to have costly repair fees and average mileage in which problems occur. The top concern for this model is unintended acceleration while braking.
- Alfa Romeo 156: Looking further back, the 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 has the most complaints for this year and also has expensive repair costs and average mileage when issues begin to arise. A common problem that has been shared by other users is its intermitting starting issues.
Steps to Take if Your Alfa Romeo Is a Lemon
If you believe that your Alfa Romeo is a lemon, taking the right steps promptly after your suspicion can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your rights under California Lemon Law. To better your chances of acquiring a successful claim, you should consider the following guidelines:
- Document repairs and complaints: Keep records of each repair visit, including dates, work performed, and the issues presented. Be sure to note if the same defect required two to four repair attempts or if your vehicle was out of service for over 30 cumulative days.
- Notify the manufacturer in writing: Submit a written notice to Alfa Romeo that goes over the recurring problems and request either of the standard remedies: replacement vehicle, cash compensation, or a refund (buyback).
- Have repairs done through authorized dealers: Ensure repairs are done at an authorized Alfa Romeo dealership as this will count toward lemon law eligibility.
- Calculate your damages: You should include the purchase price and incidental expenses, including towing, rental cars, and costs associated with repairs.
- Speak to an Alfa Romeo lemon lawyer: Working on a lemon law claim on your own can be difficult. But, with legal assistance from an attorney who specializes in such matters, you can have a better opportunity of securing favorable results. They will communicate with the manufacturer, collect evidence, and take the case to litigation if needed to ensure you are granted the right remedies that will allow you to move past this situation with clarity.
What to Do if Your Alfa Romeo Dealer Refuses Repairs
Under CIV § 1793.2, the manufacturer is required to provide a legal remedy, whether it be to replace or repurchase the defective vehicle, if the problem cannot be fixed after multiple visits have resulted in unsuccessful outcomes. In addition, the manufacturer will reimburse you for expenses and attorney’s fees if the situation escalates into a lawsuit (CIV §1794).
Below are some steps you can take if you dealer refuses to repair your Alfa Romeo:
- Keep records of communications with the dealership and any persistent issues you have been experiencing with your car.
- Even if the dealer is not cooperating with you, you can submit a written complaint to Alfa Romeo’s corporate customer service. Be sure to emphasize the recurring defects and request a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement.
- Consult with an experienced lemon law attorney. They will guide you through the legal process, communicate with the manufacturer, and, if necessary, file a claim in court if things continue to escalate.
Fulfilling these legal obligations can help protect yourself and ensure you are given the proper relief available under California Lemon Law.
Time Limits for Filing an Alfa Romeo Lemon Law Claim
Under AB 1755, the time limit to file a lemon law claim will be within one year after their vehicle’s express warranty expires, ensuring the manufacturer has had the opportunity to address the problem during the warranty period. In addition, there is a six-year absolute limit from the vehicle’s original delivery date, meaning no claims may be filed after this period. Speaking to an Alfa Romeo lemon lawyer in the beginning stages of your case can give you enough time to develop a well-constructed claim, and prevent you from submitting any important documentation past the given deadline.
What Happens After Winning an Alfa Romeo Lemon Law Claim?
Once it has been confirmed that your vehicle is a lemon, legal options may be presented for you to pursue. The manufacturer will need to either repurchase or replace the vehicle. They will also have to cover costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees.
After your lemon law claim has been approved, the manufacturer will calculate the amount owed, which typically consists of the purchase price, taxes, license fees, and other allowable expenses, minus a usage offset for the miles you drove prior to when the defect initially happened. Alfa Romeo lemon lawyers can help ensure that all calculations are correct and that you are given proper relief.
The Role of an Alfa Romeo Lemon Law Attorney in Your Case
An experienced Alfa Romeo lemon law attorney can play a significant role in protecting California consumers who have purchased lemons. Choosing the wrong lawyer or attempting to take on your claim all on your own without receiving professional guidance from a reliable source can result in costly mistakes, like missed deadlines or undervalued settlements. A skilled lemon law attorney will ensure all legal requirements are met.
They can determine whether your vehicle qualifies for repurchase or replacement, calculate the incidental costs, and represent you in court, if needed. From gathering critical repair records to negotiating with the opposing side, they will protect your rights and get you the best possible outcome.
Dealing with a Defective Vehicle? West Coast Trial Lawyers Can Help
If your vehicle has ongoing issues even after numerous repair attempts, you may have legal options available under California Lemon Law. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our lemon law attorneys will explain your rights and seek a suitable resolution that best fits your interests. We will provide guidance from start to finish, ensuring all matters are taken care of efficiently.
To set up a FREE case evaluation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.
