Lemon Law," a car buyer's best friend,
turns a feisty 20

In the past six years, more than 36,000 cars have been branded as lemons in California. The Lemon Law generated nearly $1 billion in relief to their owners, according to the state Department of Consumer Affairs.

The Lemon Law is stronger than when it took effect in January 1983, [lemon law author Assemblywoman Sally] Tanner said. It originally said an owner was entitled to a replacement or refund if the car wasn't fixed after a 'reasonable number of repair attempts' in the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.

It limited dealers and manufacturers to four repair attempts. Some automakers had claimed that 30 repair attempts was reasonable.

One guest of honor was Rosemary Shahan, a consumer-rights advocate. Shahan founded Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety. CARS, based in Sacramento, protects consumers from vehicle-related fraud and abuse nationwide.

-- Sacramento Bee, June 20, 2002

 

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