Recreational Vehicle Complaints

The department oversees activities that affect consumers statewide. The department refers people to boards and agencies which regulate specific businesses or professions; accepts complaints from people about department-regulated consumer problems that they have been unable to resolve through other avenues; and publishes literature that is designed to educate people about consumer rights and related issues. There are no geographic restrictions.

The department also oversees the enforcement of the automobile "Lemon Law"; the operation of the Bureau of Automotive repair and the smog check program. The department's information program provides pamphlets, brochures, and complaint processes. The forms for complaints are available by request and may be faxed back to the appropriate bureau.

A bodywork inspection program can assist people who have recently been in an automotive accident and have had bodywork done to there vehicle. The BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) will send someone, at not charge, to the consumers home or work to inspect the work.

The Department's Bureau of Automotive Repair also administers the Smog Check Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). This program provides a cash incentive to low-income people to repair or to turn in their smog non-compliant vehicles and offers a repair-assistance or vehicle-retirement option. There is a required co-pay of $100; the program pays up to $500 for diagnostics and repair to income-eligible people.To qualify for repair assistance, the owner of a car that fails its smog check must meet income eligibility requirements or have been directed to a Test Only station and meet other eligibility requirements.

To qualify for the vehicle retirement, a vehicle that fails its smog check must have been continuously registered for 24 months, pass an inspection at the dismantler site and not have participated in this program for at least 12 months prior. If approved, the owner will receive $1,000 from the dismantling facility to retire the vehicle. LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH Spanish, Vietnamese; the Consumer Information Center can access interpreters who speak most languages through the AT&T Language Line.