If you are an owner of a defective Maserati, California Lemon Law applies to protect your legal rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our lemon law attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience handling complications involving car defects and a proven track record of delivering client satisfaction in lemon law cases. When your Maserati fails to meet quality and safety standards, our skilled team is readily available to advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive relief through a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.
To schedule a FREE consultation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form.ย
What Is California Lemon Law?
California Lemon Law, known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, protects consumers who bought or leased a new or used car with a warranty. If your Maserati has notable defects that affect its use, value, or safety within the first 18 months of ownership or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first), and multiple repair attempts do not address the recurring issue, the vehicle may be presumed to be a lemon. In this case, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement (CIV ยง 1793.2).
Such regulations may apply to the following (CIV ยง 1793.22):
- New or used vehicles under original manufacturer warranty.ย
- Vehicles used for personal, family, or household use.
- Vehicles purchased or leased in California.
What Qualifies for Lemon Law?
To qualify under California Lemon Law, your gas-powered or electric vehicle must have a defect that is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and cannot be resolved after numerous repair attempts. This includes problems that impact its reliability, driving performance, or value. As previously stated, the law will apply to both new and used vehicles that have been sold or leased within the state, just as long as they are still under original or certified pre-owned warranty.
Usually, if your Maserati has been to the shop multiple times for the same recurring issue or has been out of service for a lengthy period of time (30+ days), you may have a valid lemon law claim.
Types of vehicles that may be covered include:ย
- Cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans
- Motor homes
- Certified pre-owned vehicles
What Maserati Models Are Commonly Involved in Lemon Law Cases?
The following Maserati models have received numerous complaints about ongoing complications and reliability issues.
Maserati Quattroporte
Many Maserati owners have shared dissatisfaction over issues involving the Quattroporte. The 2014 edition had the most overall complaints. But, the 2006 model was deemed the worst due to serious issues at lower mileage, often combined with higher repair costs. The most documented error was the melting interior components, posing a safety risk and serious defect in material quality.
Other negative factors that Maseratis, as a whole, have endured include the following:
- Brake system failures
- Steering issues
- Air conditioning and heater malfunctions
- Engine problems
- Performance issues
- Power window and windshield failures
If you have been met with either of these conditions and had multiple repair visits without permanent resolutions, your Quattroporte may be qualified as a lemon.
Maserati Ghibli
Some versions of the Ghibli have encountered reliability issues, particularly the 2015 model. This edition had a high number of complaints and was labeled as the worst Ghibli year overall when considering factors, like repair costs and average mileage in which problems appeared. The most common Maserati defect that was reported was for engine seizure. Other additional issues that were noted include the following:
- Brake system issues
- Body and paint defects
- Premature part failures
If your Maserati has similar complications, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon under California law.
Maserati Levante
Maserati owners expect a high-performance driving experience, but some can be met with repeated mechanical issues, specifically with serious engine failures. This issue commonly persisted with the 2017 Maserati Levante. Such conditions can result in sudden breakdowns, safety risks, and costly repairs. If your vehicle has been put in the shop for 30 or more cumulative days or the dealer has yet to resolve the issue within a reasonable number of attempts, you may have a strong lemon law claim on your hands.
Is Lemon Law Hard to Prove?
Lemon law cases are not necessarily hard to prove. But, you will be expected to gather significant documentation and approach the issue with an effective legal strategy to help you secure favorable results. To qualify, you will need to show that your vehicle had a substantial defect covered by warranty and the manufacturer or dealer was unable to address the issue after numerous repair attempts.
Make sure you have the following at hand:
- Repair invoices
- Warranty documents
- Service dates
Although some cases can be straightforward, others may require legal support to fight back against delays or denials. Experienced lemon law attorneys will help make the process much easier as they will work diligently to get you a fast resolution.
What Should I Do if My Maserati Is Defective?
If your Maserati is showing signs of a serious defect, you should consider doing the steps sectioned below.
Report the Issue Immediately
Whether you are dealing with an engine problem, brake malfunction, or electrical system failure, you should bring your Maserati to an authorized dealership as soon as you notice the defect. An early report will not only protect your rights, but help establish a vehicle repair history that could later support your lemon law claim. Waiting too long will make it difficult to show how and when the problem initially emerged during the warranty period.
Keep Repair Records At Hand
Each repair visit should come with paperwork. Be sure to save the following documents that highlight the complaint and diagnosis:
- Repair invoices
- Work orders
- Service reports
These are important when proving that your vehicle was serviced due to the same recurring issue, and will indicate whether the defect is still unresolved.
Do Not Pay for Covered Repairs
If your Maserati is under the original or certified pre-owned warranty, you should not receive any charges for the repairs. And if you are being told to pay out of pocket, you should request a detailed explanation in writing.
Track the Number of Repair Attempts
California Lemon Law requires the car manufacturer or dealership to have a reasonable number of attempts to address a defect. This could be two attempts for serious safety-related issues or about four tries for non-safety complications. In addition, if your Maserati has been out of service for 30 days or more, that could also qualify under state law.
Avoid Delays with Follow-Up Visits
If you are dealing with an ongoing defect, do not make the mistake of delaying the return process. Gaps between repair attempts could be questioned. Be sure to follow-up as it can help strengthen your case and demonstrate how the problem is frequent and is not caused by improper care on your end.
Speak to a California Maserati Lemon Lawyer
If your Maserati shows no signs of improvement after multiple repair attempts, it is time to consult with an experienced attorney. They can evaluate your records, determine whether you meet the legal threshold, and communicate directly with the opposing side. In most cases, attorney fees are covered by the manufacturer. If your vehicle does ultimately qualify as a lemon, you may be eligible for a refund, cash settlement, or a replacement vehicle depending on the situation presented.
Can You Sue for Being Sold a Lemon Car?
You may be entitled to sue for being sold a lemon car. Such claims often arise when the manufacturer denies repairs, delays resolutions, or offers an unfair offer. A lemon law attorney can help file the lawsuit on your behalf. In California, the manufacturer will usually pay your attorney fees if you win, meaning that there are minimal financial risks involved when pursuing legal action.
Can I File a Lemon Law Claim for a Used Maserati?
You can file a lemon law claim for a used Maserati, but certain conditions will apply. The car will need to be protected by the original factory or certified pre-owned warranty that has been issued by the manufacturer. This means that if your used vehicle has a serious defect within the warranty period and it remains unresolved, you may have a legitimate lemon law claim.
Used cars that have been sold “as-is” without any remaining warranty are usually not eligible for protection. If you are uncertain of whether you qualify for a refund, replacement, or cash compensation, you can get in touch with a lemon law attorney. They will review your documents and determine whether you should proceed with the legal process.
Do Leased Maseratis Qualify for Lemon Law Protection?
A leased Maserati can qualify for lemon law protection. You have the same rights as someone who purchased the vehicle outright. If your leased Maserati shows notable signs of a serious defect and it tampers with reliability, driving performance, or its value, and the dealer is unable to fix it after numerous repair attempts, you may be eligible to receive relief.
For leased vehicles, the following protections may apply:
- Early lease termination
- A replacement vehicle
- Refund of your down payment or monthly payments
- Coverage of attorney fees and other legal costs
Similarly with purchased vehicles, you will have to document repair visits and make sure you are given a reasonable opportunity to have the situation resolved by the dealer. A lemon law lawyer can step in to navigate the claims process and ensure you are given a fair resolution.
What If the Dealership Refuses to Help With My Maserati Defect?
If a Maserati dealership refuses to help with your defective vehicle, it can be frustrating. According to California Civil Code ยง 1794(c), if you are able to show how failure to comply was willful, you may be eligible to receive civil penalties of up to twice the amount of actual damages. In such a case, we encourage you to:
- Document Every Interaction: If your case happens to escalate to court, documenting your communication with the dealer or manufacturer can help prove the timeline of repair attempts, what you were promised, and whether the opposing side acted in bad faith.ย
- Request Written Denial: If your warranty claim or request is denied, ask for it in writing. This will force them to justify their decision and expose contradictions or bad faith conduct. In addition, it can be used as crucial evidence to prove that they were given a fair chance at resolving the problem and refused to cooperate.
- Speak to a Lemon Law attorney: They will know how to challenge delays and denials and negotiate with the opposing side to ensure you are given a favorable outcome.ย
- Contact Maserati corporate: If the dealership is unresponsive or is delaying the repairs, have this escalated to Maserati’s customer care team. They will assess your complaint and discuss available options to help resolve the situation.
What Evidence Do I Need for a Maserati Lemon Law Claim?
To develop a strong lemon law claim, you will need to gather important documentation that shows how your vehicle had a substantial defect and it was not fixable despite the number of repair attempts. The more detailed your records are, the better. Below are some pieces of evidence that matter most:
- Repair orders and invoices
- Warranty agreement
- Timeline of repair attempts
- Lease or purchase contract
- Images or videos as visual proof of the recurring problem
- Written communication with the dealer or manufacturer
How a Maserati Lemon Lawyer Can Help You
Handling a defective vehicle on your own can be difficult, especially when multiple repairs lead to zero improvement. Hiring the wrong lemon law attorney can further complicate matters as they could mishandle critical documentation and fail to communicate effectively with the opposing side.ย
To avoid this, it is important to evaluate your options carefully to ensure you choose the right form of legal representation. Having an advocate on your side who knows how to pressure the manufacturer, provide strong pieces of evidence, and fight for a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement can make a world of a difference. They will hold the at fault party accountable when your defective luxury vehicle does not meet the standards that were guaranteed under warranty.
Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers for a FREE Consultation
If you believe you have a defective Maserati, our dedicated lemon law attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers are here to help. We provide FREE case evaluations to answer any questions you have regarding your case, help you explore your legal options, and what possible remedies you may be entitled to. We will carefully review your repair records and warranty to determine whether your vehicle is eligible for a refund or replacement.
To get started on the process, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our convenient online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maserati Lemon Law Claims
