BMW Lemon Law in California
BMW
BMW is short for the German automaker Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, which translates as Bavarian Motor Works in English. This multinational auto manufacturer is headquartered in Munich and is known for producing luxury vehicles and motorcycles. BMW was initially founded to manufacture aircraft engines in 1916. In 1928, the brand became an automobile manufacturer as it purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach. Its cars are now marketed under the umbrella of BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce. Motorcycles are under BMW Motorrad.
BMW sales in 2020 fell by 8.4 percent in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions and their impact on the economy. Fortunately, in the final quarter of 2020, BMW experienced a 3.2 percent rise in customer demand for its vehicles. BMW and Toyota have plans to jointly develop and market hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as soon as 2025.
BMW Lemon Law Tips
When you purchase a BMW vehicle, you anticipate normal wear and tear repairs like any other vehicle. What you don’t anticipate is constantly having your BMW in the shop or facing repairs. If ongoing or repeated repairs become an issue with your BMW, it’s best to take these steps:
- Locate an authorized BMW repair shop and make an appointment for your vehicle
- Be clear and concise about your concerns and ensure that the mechanic documents them accurately on the repair invoice
- Retain copies of all repair invoices and any other vehicle vital records, such as maintenance records
- Contact the Law Office of Michael Humphries for help
Common Defects with BMW Vehicles
No auto-manufacturing process is perfect. However, BMW purchasers should be confident that their BMW is built well and won’t have breakdowns. The ones that run into defects may have purchased a lemon. BMW owners have noted the following common defects in their vehicles, and many are associated with lemons:
- Overheating engines
- Problems with the transmission
- Leaking oil
- Fuel pump issues
- Malfunctioning drivetrains
- Leaking transmission fluid
- Unpleasant grinding sounds
- Faulty electrical systems
- Easily damaged engine mount bolts
- Faulty high-pressure fuel pumps
What if BMW or an Authorized BMW Dealer Can’t Repair Your Vehicle?
Under California’s Lemon Laws, a vehicle’s dealer or manufacturer must repair a severe warranty defect within a “reasonable” number of tries. If they cannot do so, the law states that the manufacturer must do one of the following:
- Replace the vehicle
- Refund its purchase price
You are the one who gets to decide how you want them to handle it. But unfortunately, the law doesn’t define what a “reasonable” number of attempts should be. Although, California’s Lemon Law Presumption does offer some guidelines for determining when this point has been reached:
- The dealer or manufacturer isn’t able to fix the same issue after four or more attempts.
- Your BMW’s defects have the potential to result in death or serious bodily injury if it’s driven and the manufacturer or dealer has made at least two unsuccessful repair attempts.
- The vehicle has been in the repair shop for at least 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) to repair warranty-covered problems.
Is Your BMW a Lemon?
If your BMW vehicle has been having problems and you are starting to suspect it’s a lemon, don’t waste any more time. Instead, contact the Law Office of Michael Humphries for a free consultation and learn about your rights and options. We serve clients with BMW lemons in both Seal Beach and Orange County.
