Modern cars are a tech playground. From touchscreen infotainment setups and autopilot features to interconnectivity with smartphone apps, it’s all part of even an average vehicle today. But when these bells and whistles misfire, lemon laws still need to step in to keep automakers accountable.
If you’re wondering how old laws handle new tech challenges, stick around and we’ll go over the ins and outs of what established regulations are doing to keep up with automotive innovations.
The Evolving Definition of “Defect” in Tech-Heavy Vehicles
When tech defines cars, “defect” changes meaning. Once, it meant a faulty engine or brakes. Now, it might be software glitches that disable your GPS or crash an entire system.
Other factors to consider include:
- Infotainment freezes which affect driving focus
- Auto-braking misfires which create potential road hazards
- Faulty sensors which lead to unreliable autonomous functions
With technology integrated into vehicles like never before, identifying defects becomes trickier but more crucial.
Manufacturers may argue these are minor bugs easily fixed with updates. But the stakes rise if your vehicle doesn’t respond correctly on the road.
Regulators need new guidelines to distinguish between major flaws and trivial hiccups in software-heavy systems. Legal frameworks have some catching up to do so consumers aren’t left in limbo when their high-tech rides encounter modern issues.
Of course there are also industry lobbying efforts to curtail lemon law powers which have to be factored in. For instance, in California a spike in lemon law filings last year, hitting 22,000 in total, caused a backlash from manufacturers, and a hastily constructed bill intended to redress the balance.
At the same time, the sluggish pace at which lemon law cases pass through courts is also being addressed in CA. So regulators have a lot to contend with, and amendments dealing with tech defects could be pushed down the list of priorities as a result.
For vehicle owners who are faced with any type of fault, relying on the regulations alone is not enough. Instead it’s only by working with a lemon law attorney in Los Angeles, CA or an equivalent legal pro in your state that you can have the best chance of your case being concluded favorably. Pros can ensure that even when existing legal definitions aren’t quite comprehensive enough, your side is argued strongly enough that this gap is bridged.
Lemon Laws and Autonomous Vehicle Failures
Autonomous vehicles introduce unique challenges to lemon laws. When cars drive themselves, a minor malfunction could become a major safety issue.
There are various outcomes to consider, including:
- Self-driving software which fails during complex maneuvers
- Unexpected shutdowns which leave passengers stranded
- Sensor errors which lead to traffic violations
Traditional lemon laws don’t fully account for the nuances of self-driving tech. Current regulations focus on mechanical problems, not advanced algorithms or AI glitches. And while there’s a lot to love about what new tech can do for us, the law should also recognize what happens when it goes awry.
Manufacturers face pressure to ensure rigorous testing and quality control before deploying autonomous features at scale. They need processes in place that quickly address issues arising from real-world conditions.
And as we transition into this automated era, expect updated legislation addressing how consumers can seek recourse when autonomy fails them.
The stakes are higher with autonomous systems. Lemon laws must evolve so they continue safeguarding drivers navigating an increasingly automated world where technology occasionally falters.
The Bottom Line
Basically, so long as your lemon law case is taken forward by an experienced lawyer, even imperfections in how the law deals with tech-drenched modern cars need not be a barrier to adequate compensation. So while you’re waiting for the legal system to catch up, there are options available to you.
