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Serving Clients in Pittsburgh and Throughout Pennsylvania

Nov 7, 2016

Seated at the junction of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, Pittsburgh has frequently been listed among the most livable cities in the world. The “Steel City” is still home to more than 300 steel-related businesses and is also known as the “City of Bridges” for its 445 bridges. While the city has a storied manufacturing history, over 1,600 tech companies are currently located in the Pittsburgh area. This is a reflection of the region’s evolving economy which has seen advances in robotics, healthcare, nuclear engineering, tourism, biomedical technology, finance, education and consumer services.

Pittsburgh is also renowned for its medical centers, research centers, libraries, and museums, and the city boasts a diverse cultural district. Despite these attributes, Pittsburgh is also a place where consumers frequently grapple with defective automobiles. That’s the bad the news. The good news is that the Pennsylvania Lemon Law provides auto consumers in Pittsburgh with powerful legal remedies.

Luckily, the people of Pittsburgh can also rely on the experienced Lemon Law attorneys at Timothy Abeel & Associates, P.C. Our legal team is dedicated to holding the big automakers accountable and helping consumers obtain the compensation they deserve.

What is a Lemon?

In Pittsburgh, a new vehicle is considered a lemon if it has a defect within the first 12 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first) that has not been repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. The defect must be substantial which means that it decreases the resale value of the vehicle, makes it unsafe or impacts its normal functions. On the other hand, minor defects or those caused by abuse, misuse, neglect or unauthorized modification do not qualify for a Pittsburgh Lemon Law claim.

If the defect has not been repaired after three attempts or the vehicle has been in the shop for 30 days or more, you may have a valid lemon law claim. Before pursuing a lawsuit, however, the manufacturer must be notified in writing. Your letter should specify the nature of the defect as well as the details of any repairs that were performed or attempted. The manufacturer then has one last chance to make the needed repairs. If the manufacturer cannot make the repairs or refuses to do so, the lemon law claim can proceed.

It is important to note that the Pennsylvania Lemon Law does not cover used cars in Pittsburgh; however, consumers of preowned vehicles can file a claim under the applicable federal law — the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Why You Need a Pittsburgh Lemon Law Attorney

Timothy Abeel & Associates has extensive experience pursuing lemon law claims for clients in Pittsburgh. We understand that buying or leasing a new vehicle is a significant investment for most consumers and believe that no one should be stuck with a bad car. Our attorneys have a proven track record of helping our clients fight back against the big automakers. We have the skills and knowhow to determine whether you have a valid lemon law claim.

By taking the time to learn about the nature of the defects and your vehicle’s repair history, we can assess the best options for obtaining compensation. The place to start is with the dealer and the automaker, convincing them to make the needed repairs. Being armed with a powerful attorney will let them know that you are serious. Although we prefer to reach negotiated settlements, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit to recover damages.

If litigation becomes necessary, our team will help you gather the necessary documentation to support your Pittsburgh lemon law claim. This includes the sales or lease contract and a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. We will also closely examine any repair receipts, which will provide important information about the nature of the problem, the dealer’s diagnosis and the repairs that were performed or attempted.

If your claim prevails, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund which includes:

  • The price of the car plus the dealer costs and services
  • Financing and credit insurance
  • Warranty and service charges
  • Taxes and any other government charges (e.g., state sales tax, license fees and registration fees)

The Pennsylvania Lemon Law also allows you to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, which means that you will not pay us any money in advance.

Recent Pittsburgh Lemon Law Case Results

  • Used 2016 Dodge Ram – Vehicle had check engine lights on, and would not accelerate over 30mph. Opposing counsel argued that the subject vehicle had an improper after marker air filter, as well as maintenance issues. Panel award for Plaintiff for the full Magnuson-Moss expert value of the case, as the panel agreed with our expert’s assessment that the after market parts and maintenance could not be the reasons for the substantial defects in the vehicle.
  • 2015 Chrysler 200 – Client complained of oil consumption issues within the vehicle. The dealership did multiple oil consumption tests but never verified this concerned claimed that the oil was in the standard range. Case was won on the arguments that the standard range was adapted post purchase of this vehicle in a technical service bulletin which was reactionary to customer complaints, and the strength of our expert’s testimony detailing his findings.

What can I do if my car is a lemon?

If you purchased or leased a defective new vehicle in Pittsburgh, Timothy Abeel & Associates can help. Well-versed in the applicable Pennsylvania Lemon Law and federal warranty law, we will work tirelessly to enforce your rights. Our legal team has a proven track record of pursuing successful lemon law claims and providing our clients with aggressive legal representation. We understand that driving is a necessity for most people in the Pittsburgh area and dealing with a lemon can be a frustrating experience. We will help lift that burden with a combination of knowledge, skill and superior personal service. If you have a lemon on your hands, call our office today or complete the online contact form to set up a free consultation.

Experiencing Similar Issues?

If your car was manufactured between 2019 and 2024 we may be able to help. Contact us for more information.