Lemon laws are American state laws that provide help for purchasers of cars and other consumer goods who have bought products that repeatedly fail to meet the standards of quality and performance.

Each state imposes different requirements for their lemon laws, but a basic condition common to almost all jurisdictions is that in order for the lemon law to apply, the automobile or product must have been purchased with a warranty. Products purchased “as is” are typically not covered by state or federal lemon laws.

The California lemon law applies to all new and used vehicles, whether purchased or leased, for personal and most small business use. Learn more about the California Lemon Law Requirements

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be unveiling new regulations on Monday, that will force oil refineries to remove sulfur from all gasoline sold in the United States. The new rule will require oil refiners to install new equipment to remove the sulfur and will force automobile manufacturers to install new, cleaner burning engine technology. EPA officials say that removing the smog forming pollutant will reduce the rates of diseases associated with those pollutants and will only slightly raise the price of gasoline and cars. They estimate that the new regulation will raise the cost of gasoline by about two-thirds of 1 cent per gallon and add approximately $75 to the sticker price of cars. Continue reading

The NHTSA is ending an investigation into allegations of electronic throttle failure in Ford and Mercury vehicles. Instead, Ford will be conducting a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) in which they will be contacting owners to take their vehicles to a manufacturer approved dealership to update the power-train calibration software to improve vehicle performance. Ford will also extend their power-train warranty coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles. Continue reading

General Motors is expanding a recent recall of certain 2003-2007 model year vehicles to correct a condition with the ignition switch that may allow the key to unintentionally move or switch to the “accessory” or “off” position, turning off the engine and most of the electrical components on the vehicle. Continue reading

You may have recently received a letter from the manufacturer of your car or truck offering you a trade-in of your vehicle for one of the manufacturer’s new vehicles. While this may at first glance look like a good deal, if you look closely you’ll see the manufacturer is probably only offering you the opportunity to trade up to a newer model. Under this trade in offer you would have to pay off the balance of your existing loan or lease, plus pay the mileage deduction allowed under the California law. Continue reading