New Lemon Law Extends Consumer Protection for California Motorists

29 September 2000

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept 28 California is now one of the
nation's leaders in Lemon Law protection, thanks to SB 1718, just signed into
law by Governor Gray Davis. The new measure puts the squeeze on auto
manufacturers who fail to fix life-threatening safety defects.
    Previously, automakers were allowed four attempts to fix a major safety
problem. But starting January 1, 2001, they'll have just two tries to fix a
safety problem, or they must buy back the vehicle as a lemon. The new law also
provides protection to small business owners with a fleet of up to 5 vehicles.
    California's Consumer Affairs Director, Kathleen Hamilton, was one of the
architects of the original Lemon Law back in the 1970s. Hamilton was
enthusiastic about the new legislation, stating, "This new measure expands
lemon law coverage to new vehicles within the first 18 months of service or
18,000 miles. Protecting consumers is our primary mission and this new law
will do just that, by reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries
attributed to defective vehicles. This is the culmination of more than two
decades of hard work in our efforts to enhance safety for California drivers."