The Lemon Pros worked with me during a time in my life where I was going through a lot of transitions. They were professional and very patient as I was not always able to find paperwork for my claim. It was not overnight, but when the day came for The Lemon Pros to negotiate my settlement, it was a glorious outcome. Thanks, Lemon Pros!
Orange County Lemon Law
Orange County Lemon Law Attorney
Help for owners across Orange County, from Anaheim and Santa Ana to Huntington Beach and Irvine, when a car under factory warranty will not stay fixed.
Key Takeaways
Lemon Law Rights in Orange County at a Glance
When an Orange County car, truck or SUV is still under factory warranty and the dealer cannot cure the same defect, California's Lemon Law lets you demand a refund, a replacement or a cash payment from the manufacturer. If a lawsuit is filed in Orange County, it goes to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. No fee unless we win. On a successful claim the manufacturer pays your attorney fees under the Song-Beverly Act.
Who Qualifies
Owners and lessees of new or demonstrator vehicles, or used ones sold with a new manufacturer warranty, with a substantial warranty defect the dealer has not been able to fix.
Repair Thresholds
Inside 18 months/18,000 miles, the presumption is met by 4 repair visits for one problem, 2 for a life-threatening one, or 31+ days off the road.
What You Can Recover
a buyback (price, tax and DMV fees repaid, less a mileage offset), a comparable replacement, or cash to keep the car.
Cost to You
No fee unless we win. On a successful claim the manufacturer pays your attorney fees under the Song-Beverly Act.
Good to Know
if your automaker runs a state-certified arbitration program, you may need to try it before using the Lemon Law presumption in court. Its decision does not bind you, and we can handle that step too.
Why County Drivers Call Us
Lemon Law Attorneys for Orange County Drivers
Each file is run by California-licensed attorneys Michael Saeedian (State Bar #265470) and Timan Khoubian (State Bar #296208), who handle Song-Beverly warranty claims for drivers from Fullerton and Anaheim down to Irvine and Mission Viejo, working from the firm's Beverly Hills office.
Review at No Charge
Send the repair orders and contract. We read them and give you a straight answer on the claim, free of charge.
No Fee Unless We Win
No fee unless we win. On a successful claim the manufacturer pays your attorney fees under the Song-Beverly Act.
Direct Access
You deal with the attorneys on your file from the first call. There is no call center in between.
Paperwork First
Your repair orders, warranty booklet and contract are read against the Song-Beverly Act before any demand goes to the automaker. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Orange County drivers' claims are run out of the firm's Beverly Hills office.
Lemon Law in Orange County
From the Dealer to the Santa Ana Courthouse
How a claim moves in this county, from the first repair order to a buyback, and where the 2024 used-car ruling fits.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives the manufacturer a fair chance to repair a covered defect. When the same problem keeps returning, the owner is owed a remedy: a buyback, a comparable replacement, or a cash settlement to keep the car. In a buyback the maker refunds the price along with sales tax, DMV fees and finance charges, less a mileage offset worked out from the miles driven before the defect was first reported, divided by 120,000.
Used cars are treated differently since the California Supreme Court decided Rodriguez v. FCA in October 2024. A used vehicle sold with only the leftover balance of the manufacturer's warranty is no longer treated as new for the buyback and replacement remedy, while a used car that left the lot with a brand-new manufacturer warranty can still qualify, whatever label the dealer gave it. If you bought a used car in Santa Ana or leased a new SUV in Irvine, the remedy turns on what warranty came with it. Where a refund is out, a different warranty claim may still be available, depending on the paperwork we check on each used-car file.
Many claims settle without a lawsuit. When a case does need filing in the county, it goes to Orange County Superior Court, which hears every limited and unlimited civil case from all of the county's cities at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. If an automaker has a state-certified arbitration program such as BBB AUTO LINE and gave you timely written notice, going through it first matters only for using the statutory presumption at trial; it is not a general duty to arbitrate, and we can handle that step.
Does Your Car Qualify
Signs Your Vehicle Is a Lemon
Four conditions decide most cases, and the first year and a half carries extra weight.
Whether a vehicle qualifies is the question most people get stuck on. A claim under California law usually lines up with these points:
- The defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety. A rattle in the trim does not; a transmission that slips on the 405 does.
- The defect first appeared while the manufacturer's warranty was in force, even if the warranty has since run out.
- Repairs within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first, trigger the legal presumption that the vehicle is a lemon. Later defects can still qualify; they just do not get the presumption.
- The dealer had a reasonable number of chances. Under the presumption that means four visits for one problem, two for a problem that could kill or seriously injure, or more than a month's worth of days (over 30) in the shop. For the first two, you may also need to have notified the manufacturer directly if it told you to.
Most mechanical, electrical and safety defects that show up during the warranty are covered. Normal wear, accident damage and failures caused by aftermarket parts are not, and those parts can complicate a claim. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act sits alongside the California statute. If you are not sure where your vehicle falls, a free case review answers it quickly.
The Claim Process
What to Do If You Think You Have a Lemon
Early steps protect the evidence and shrink the mileage offset.
A lemon case is usually won or lost on paperwork, so the order of steps matters. This is the sequence we follow with clients from the county:
- Pull your paperwork together. The purchase or lease contract, the warranty booklet and every repair order. The repair orders prove the dealer saw the defect and did not fix it.
- Keep a running record. Note each date the car went in and came out, and save emails and letters with the dealer or manufacturer. Dated video helps with a fault that comes and goes, the kind a service writer might mark as could not duplicate.
- Talk to a Lemon Law attorney. A short call tells you whether the statute applies before you spend more time at the dealer. The review is free.
- Notify the manufacturer. A written demand backed by the repair history puts the automaker on notice. If it has opted into the 2025 procedures, a notice sent at least 30 days before a suit seeking civil penalties gives it 30 days to make a buyback or replacement offer, though a suit asking only for a refund or replacement needs no such notice.
- File if they stall. If the manufacturer will not resolve it fairly, we file in Orange County Superior Court and pursue a buyback, a replacement or cash compensation.
The law is the same for every brand, from Ford, Toyota and Chevrolet to Volkswagen, Tesla and BMW, and manufacturer defenses tend to repeat: the defect is called "normal," the driver is blamed, repairs are logged without a lasting fix, or the file is slowed with document requests. A case from Aliso Viejo shows why the record matters: a used 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 went back three times for infotainment faults, with CarPlay failing and the screen blanking out, and that claim has settled. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Local Context
Electric Cars Across Orange County
The vehicles registered in this county differ from the state average.
DMV registration counts as of the end of 2024 show how far Irvine has moved toward electric cars. About 15 percent of the vehicles registered in Irvine ZIP codes were battery electric, against roughly 5 percent statewide and about 7 percent across Orange County as a whole. For owners of those cars, a warranty dispute may involve charging faults, battery capacity warnings, software updates that do not cure the problem or waits for high-voltage parts. The counts show what is registered, not how often any defect occurs. The legal test is the same one applied to a transmission: a substantial defect, covered by warranty, not fixed after a reasonable number of tries.
When any car waits on parts, the days out of service add up across visits, and once they pass 30 before 18 months or 18,000 miles, that alone can carry the claim. Keep the dates from every repair order and every rental or loaner agreement, because those are what prove the count. If the car sits at the dealer while you pay for rides to work, those costs can be part of the claim as well.
We take cases from Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo and the rest of the county. For the statute itself, see the California Lemon Law page; for shorter answers, the FAQ; and for the vehicles we handle, the practice areas.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
4.7 from 104 Google reviews
I couldn't be more grateful for the team at The Lemon Pros. They were responsive, professional, and committed to keeping me informed every step of the way. Their follow-through was exceptional and their determination truly made a difference in achieving a positive outcome in my case. I'm so glad I chose them to represent me.
I highly recommend The Lemon Pros to any Tesla owner with a lemon. They are experts in Tesla cases and truly fight for their clients' rights. The team (Tony, Sella, Zulma) was incredibly responsive, kept me updated every step of the way, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. They handled all communication with Tesla, freeing me from the frustration.
Orange County FAQ
Orange County Lemon Law Questions
Courthouse, arbitration, deadlines and electric cars: what Orange County drivers ask before filing.
Every city in the county, including Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach and Fullerton. The claim is handled from our Beverly Hills office. The Song-Beverly Act is a state law, so the city where you bought the car or where you drive it does not change your rights.
If it is filed in this county, it goes to Orange County Superior Court, and for civil cases that means the Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. The court's designation list sends limited and unlimited civil cases from every city in the county there, so an Irvine or Huntington Beach case is heard in Santa Ana, not at a branch courthouse. Civil filings there are made electronically. Most claims settle before anything is filed.
No, not as a general rule. Some automakers run a state-certified arbitration program: BBB AUTO LINE for brands such as Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen, and a separate program for brands such as Honda, Toyota, Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If yours has one and you were notified of it in writing in good time, the program comes first only when you want the benefit of the presumption in court; skipping it does not stop a lawsuit, it only costs you the presumption. The decision is not binding on you, and we advise whether the program or a direct filing makes more sense.
Before 18 months or 18,000 miles have passed, a car is presumed a lemon if the dealer has tried four times to fix one problem, twice for a problem that could kill or badly injure someone, or has kept it over 30 days for repairs. A vehicle can still qualify outside those numbers. The defect has to substantially impair use, value or safety; a cosmetic annoyance does not count.
It depends on the warranty that came with the sale. Since the October 2024 Rodriguez v. FCA decision, buying a used car while some of the original factory coverage is left no longer gets you the buyback or replacement remedy. A used car that came with a fresh manufacturer warranty issued at the sale can still qualify; a CPO sticker on its own proves nothing either way. Without a buyback, other warranty claims may exist depending on what was promised in writing, and we read the paperwork to see which remedies apply.
A refund of the price with sales tax, DMV fees and finance charges, reduced by a mileage offset; a comparable replacement vehicle; or a cash settlement that lets you keep the car. Towing and rental costs you paid can be recovered as well.
No fee unless we win. On a successful claim the manufacturer pays your attorney fees under the Song-Beverly Act. There is no charge for the case review.
Yes. Lessees are protected on the same terms as buyers, and a buyback on a lease returns the payments made and the money paid at signing.
Yes. A battery, motor, charging or software defect is judged by the same test as a mechanical one. That is relevant across Orange County, where DMV data put about 7 percent of registered vehicles as fully electric, and about 15 percent in Irvine ZIP codes; those figures count cars, not defects.
Under the ordinary rules the limit is generally four years, and when it starts depends on the warranty and on when the defect was or should have been discovered. Makers that signed up for the procedures created in 2025 get a tighter clock for refund or replacement suits: file within a year of the warranty running out, and in any case within six years of the original delivery date, with time added for repairs and pre-suit notice. Note that 18 months or 18,000 miles marks the presumption period, not a filing deadline. The Department of Consumer Affairs publishes the list of manufacturers that opted in.
4.7 from 104 Google reviews
A
3 months ago
the folks at lemon pros got me exactly what I asked for plus a bit more for my jeep. they were very honest with the process and kept me up to date constantly. would recommend them without hesitation! worked with Anthony Greco & team :)
V
3 months ago
Though I had to learn the virtue of patience (it took a little time), I had an excellent experience with the Pros, from beginning to end. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping me through my lemon law case. They kept me informed throughout the process, answered my questions promptly, and handled everything with integrity and professionalism. They achieved a successful outcome on my behalf ($27,600). I highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of a knowledgeable and trustworthy lemon law attorney. Thank you for your patience with me and for your outstanding service!
M
4 months ago
Trust the process. Suzy and Anthony were able to get me a buy back from GM after constant issues with the transmission. Suzy was patient explaining everything and returned my calls/emails/text within 24hrs. She’s the best. Anthony (Tony) was straight forward and did everything he could to get me my money. No BS, or changes at the end. It’s a process but they know what they are doing. Delivered on everything he promised. Thank you for all the help and it was worth the wait. I was able to get a new car because of you guys.
C
4 months ago
The Lemon pros Worked with me During a time, I’m in my life, where I was going through a lot of transitions. They were professional, and very patient as I was not always disposable or able to find paperwork for my claim. It was not overnight, but when the day came for The Lemon pros to negotiate my settlement, It was a glorious outcome. I Told the Lemon pros get me at least $10,000 and I’ll be Happy, And what did they do? They hit the ball out of the park!!!! and got me a settlement of $17,500!!!! And I got The Check without amount to prove it!!! Thanks, Lemon pros!!!!!
R
10 months ago
I couldn’t be more grateful for the outstanding team at The Lemon Pros. Their team was fantastic from start to finish, always responsive, professional, and committed to keeping me informed every step of the way. Their follow-through was exceptional and their determination truly made a difference in achieving a positive outcome in my case. I’m so glad I chose them to represent me and I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking a dedicated and reliable team.
Reviews reflect individual experiences. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Nearby Cities We Serve
Pages for neighboring areas whose drivers we also represent:
Related Resources
Learn more about your rights before you file:
The Lemon Pros is led by California-licensed attorneys Michael Saeedian (State Bar #265470) and Timan Khoubian (State Bar #296208). This page is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Don't Let a Defective Car
Cost You Another Day.
Every day you wait is a day the manufacturer wins. Take 60 seconds to find out if your vehicle qualifies, it's free, confidential, and could change everything.