Ram Lemon Lawyer

If your Ram truck is experiencing a persistent defect or is exhibiting serious problems, seeking expert legal help is important. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled lemon law attorneys are readily available to provide the guidance and support needed to help you secure the remedies you deserve. Pursuing such a claim will typically involve no financial risk, and legal fees are not something you should worry about. You can rely on us to resolve your situation and get you a favorable outcome.  

To get started on the legal process, you can set up a FREE consultation by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form. 

How Does the California Lemon Law Work?

California Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease a vehicle with ongoing complications that cannot be fixed after multiple repair attempts. If your Ram is still under the manufacturer’s warranty and has a serious defect that tampers with its use, value or reliability, it should be fixed. If frequent issues occur after it has been worked on a numerous amount of times by an authorized dealer, or if the vehicle is out of service for 30 cumulative days or more, the manufacturer is required to give you a refund or replacement vehicle.

What Qualifies a Lemon Law in California?

California Lemon Law covers gas-powered and electric vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. To qualify, the defect should not occur due to abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications. It should be reported within the warranty period, even if repairs proceed after its expiration. 

The state also has a legal presumption that the vehicle is a lemon if the complication arises within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, and if either of the following occur (California Civil Code § 1793.22):

• The manufacturer made four or more repair attempts for the same problem
• The defect poses a serious risk and has been repaired at least twice
• The motor vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 days 

Certain types of vehicles that may be covered under the state’s lemon law include: 

• Cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans
• Motor homes
• Certified pre-owned vehicles (CPO)

Does California Lemon Law Apply to Used Vehicles?

California Lemon Law does apply to used vehicles. However, certain conditions must be met. To qualify, the used vehicle will still need to be covered by the manufacturer’s original or CPO warranty. This regulation is not effective to vehicles that are sold “as-is” without any warranty coverage. Similarly to new vehicles, a defect must impair the Ram’s performance, value, or safety. The authorized repair facility will be given a reasonable number of attempts to have the issue resolved. Failure to do so may deem you eligible to receive relief, such as a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement.

Can You Claim Lemon Law on a Leased Vehicle?

You can receive lemon law protection on a leased vehicle in California. By law, if it is showing a substantial defect that continues after several repair attempts, or has been with an authorized dealer for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to legal remedies. This could be presented as a refund of your lease payments, down payments, or monthly payments. It can also include reimbursement for registration fees or possibly a replacement vehicle. 

Common Defects Found in Ram Trucks

Ram trucks are built for performance, but even their durability can encounter serious mechanical or electrical complications. Some issues are more known amongst certain models and may impact reliability and safety. Below is a closer look at common defects found in popular Ram vehicles.

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup truck known for its towing strength and off-road capabilities. But, despite having such a strong reputation, drivers have expressed frustration over recurring issues with its engine, electrical systems, and power steering. The 2014 Ram 1500, in particular, is identified as the most problematic, acquiring the highest number of complaints.

Some notable complications drivers encountered with this model include the following:

• Engine problems
• Power steering failure
• Electrical malfunctions
• Transmission error
• Interior accessory failures
• Suspension issues

Ram 2500

The Ram 2500 is made for heavy-duty performance that is typically used for towing and hauling. In spite of what it offers, this model has received multiple complaints, primarily with its brake system alerts, engine reliability, and electronic component failures. These complications are frustrating for drivers who rely on this type of vehicle to get demanding tasks done.

The 2018 model has the highest number of negative reports from Ram owners due to its costly repairs and issues surfacing at lower mileage. One of the most notable concerns that was highlighted on these complaints were the ABS and electronic brake system warning light.

Ram 3500

The Ram 3500 has maximum strength to carry out heavy towing, commercial hauling, and rugged terrain. With such power comes a history of mechanical concerns, specifically with the suspension system. Throughout the years, Ram owners have shared dissatisfaction over safety concerns. Although the 2012 edition received the most complaints, the 2013 model is considered the most problematic, especially for its “death wobble.”

Is Lemon Law Hard to Prove?

Lemon law cases are not necessarily hard to prove. But, you will need to acquire the right documentation to develop a strong claim. The biggest challenge you may come across is showing how the vehicle had a substantial defect and that the manufacturer or dealership had a reasonable number of repair attempts to have it resolved.

What helps develop a well-constructed lemon law claim is detailed evidence. This includes the following:

• Repair history
• Service invoices
• Dates the vehicle was left in the shop
• Notes describing the defect

While manufacturers may attempt to push back or delay the process, having a lemon law attorney on your side can help take the pressure off of you. They will obtain evidence, communicate with the opposing party, and ensure you receive relief, such as a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.

To sum it up, it may not be so “hard” to undergo this legal process, but proving a lemon law case can require some preparation.

What Should I Do If the Dealership Won’t Fix My Car?

If the dealership refuses to fix your car while it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, document the entire process down to the service records, repair attempts, and written denials. You should then report the problem over to the manufacturer directly. Most carmakers will have a customer care department that will help attend to the situation if a dealership fails to act accordingly.

Under CIV § 1793.2, manufacturers are required to resolve defects under warranty. They must maintain repair facilities and fulfill warranty repairs in a timely manner. If they refuse to fulfill such requests, they could be in violation of this law.

If the defect persists after numerous repair attempts or the dealership denies service, CIV § 1793.2(d) grants you the right to demand a refund or replacement vehicle. Furthermore, under CIV § 1794(c), you may be entitled to civil penalties of up to twice the amount of actual damages if you can prove that the refusal to repair was willful.

What Can You Do If You Bought a Ram Lemon Car?

If you purchased a vehicle that is giving you problems, even after multiple repair attempts, it may be a lemon. Under California law,  you could be eligible for relief. To move forward with such a case, you should consider fulfilling the actions sectioned below.

Document Everything

Try to gather and organize all documents pertaining to your defective vehicle. This includes:

• Purchase or lease contracts
• Warranty agreement
• Repair invoices
• Service reports
• Written communications with the dealership or manufacturer

Acquiring such information can help you prove that your Ram experienced frequent problems and that the manufacturer was given a fair amount of chances to have it fixed.

Review Your Warranty Coverage

California Lemon Law will only apply to issues that occur during the manufacturer’s original warranty period. Be sure to check your coverage to confirm whether the defect took place within that given timeframe. The Ram must have also been purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use in California.

Make Note of the Repair Attempts

To qualify for lemon law relief, the manufacturer will need to be given a reasonable number of repair attempts. This means the following:

• Two or more tries for serious safety-related issues
• Four or more attempts for the same ongoing complication
• The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days

Be sure to keep a log of the number of the service visits, date for each occasion, duration of time the vehicle was left at the repair shop, and the nature of the defect.

Request Written Denials or Confirmations

If a dealership refuses to repair the defect or insists the vehicle is functioning properly, request their comments to be put in writing. These denials can be used as proof that the manufacturer was given the opportunity to fix the issue, but failed to do so.

Speak to a California Ram Lemon Law Attorney

Once you start dealing with a recurring problem or have left your Ram in the shop for weeks, it is time to speak to a lemon law attorney. The earlier you acquire guidance and support, the stronger your case may be. With legal representation, the following tasks can be fulfilled:

• Case analysis to confirm whether your vehicle qualifies under California law
• Effective communication with the manufacturer or dealership
• Negotiations made to seek a solid resolution
• Filing a lawsuit, if needed

If your case is successful, the manufacturer will cover your attorney fees and other legal costs. So, you will typically pay nothing out of pocket, meaning there are no financial risks involved when undergoing this process.

Even if you feel uncertain about whether your Ram qualifies, it is worth getting a free case evaluation. The law is complicated, and experienced attorneys know the ins and outs of the system, and will protect your rights. 

Think You Bought a Ram Lemon? Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers for a FREE Consultation Today

If you are a Ram owner and are noticing ongoing problems with your vehicle, you do not need to handle this all on your own. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our lemon law attorneys can evaluate your situation to determine whether you have a valid claim and guide you into the right path to secure favorable results. Do not make the mistake of waiting until repairs start to pile up.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ram Lemon Law Claims