California Secret Warranty

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California Civil Code Section 1795.90-1795.93

1795.90. For purposes of this chapter:
(a) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle, a lessee of a motor vehicle, any person
to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to that motor vehicle, and any person
entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.
(b) “Manufacturer” means any person, firm, or corporation, whether resident or nonresident, that manufactures or assembles motor
vehicles for sale or distribution in this state. In the case of motor vehicles not manufactured in the United States, the term
“manufacturer” shall also include any person, firm, or corporation that is engaged in the business of importing motor vehicles.
(c) “Dealer” means any person, firm, or corporation selling or agreeing to sell in this state one or more new motor vehicles under a
retail agreement with a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or agent of any of them.
(d) “Adjustment program” means any program or policy that expands or extends the consumer’s warranty beyond its stated limit or under
which a manufacturer offers to pay for all or any part of the cost of repairing, or to reimburse consumers for all or any part of the cost
of repairing, any condition that may substantially affect vehicle durability, reliability, or performance, other than service provided
under a safety or emission-related recall campaign. “Adjustment program” does not include ad hoc adjustments made by a manufacturer
on a case-by-case basis.
(e) “Motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, excluding motorcycles, motor homes, and off-road vehicles, which is registered in this
state.
(f) “Lessee” means any person who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a written lease which provides that the lessee is responsible for
repairs to the motor vehicle.
(g) “Service bulletin” means any notice issued by a manufacturer and filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
relating to vehicle durability, reliability, or performance.

1795.91. Dealers shall have the following duties:
(a) A dealer shall provide notice to prospective purchasers and lessees that provides information on how to get copies of service
bulletins. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as an admission by the dealer or manufacturer of the existence or nonexistence of a
vehicle defect.
The notice shall be deemed sufficient if posted in the showroom or other area conspicuous to motor vehicle purchasers and written in
the following form:
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS TO FURNISH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY
TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (N.H.T.S.A.) WITH BULLETINS DESCRIBING
ANY DEFECTS IN THEIR VEHICLES.
YOU MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THESE BULLETINS, FOR A FEE, FROM EITHER OF
THE FOLLOWING:
THE MANUFACTURER (ASK YOUR DEALER FOR THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER)
N.H.T.S.A.–TECHNICAL REFERENCE DIVISION
400 SEVENTH STREET, S.W.
ROOM 5110
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
202-366-2768
IN ADDITION, CERTAIN CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS PUBLISH THESE BULLETINS
AND SOME COMPANIES WILL SEND THEM TO YOU, FOR A FEE.
(b) A dealer shall disclose to a consumer seeking repairs for a particular condition at its repair shop, the principal terms and conditions of
the manufacturer’s adjustment program covering the condition if the dealer has received a service bulletin concerning the adjustment
program.

1795.92. Manufacturers shall have the following duties:
(a) A manufacturer shall, within 90 days of the adoption of an adjustment program, subject to priority for safety or
emission-related recalls, notify by first-class mail all owners or lessees of motor vehicles eligible under the program of the condition
giving rise to and the principal terms and conditions of the program.
(b) Copies of all notices mailed in accordance with subdivision (a) shall be sent to the New Motor Vehicle Board within the
Department of Motor Vehicles and made available for public inquiries.

(c) A manufacturer shall, within 30 days of the adoption of any new adjustment program, notify its dealers, in writing, of all the
terms and conditions thereof.
(d) A manufacturer who establishes an adjustment program shall implement procedures to assure reimbursement of each consumer
eligible under an adjustment program who incurs expenses for repair of a condition subject to the program prior to acquiring knowledge of
the program. The reimbursement shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of the particular program. The manufacturer shall
notify the consumer within 21 business days of receiving a claim for reimbursement whether the claim will be allowed or denied. If the
claim is denied, the specific reasons for the denial shall be stated in writing.
(e) Any consumer who, prior to acquiring knowledge of an adjustment program, incurs expenses for repair of a condition subject
to the adjustment program may file a claim for reimbursement under subdivision (d). The claim shall be made in writing to the
manufacturer within two years of the date of the consumer’s payment for repair of the condition.

1795.93. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to exclude, modify, or otherwise limit any other remedy provided by law to a
consumer or lessee.