California Lemon law ensures that consumers aren’t stuck with a defective vehicle. These laws protect car buyers in California from investing in a lemon that can’t be repaired. Any defect affecting the safety, value, or use of the vehicle is included. New cars are covered by the protections, but there are also some regulations for used cars in certain conditions.
The Lemon Pros helps consumers navigate California Lemon laws. Our practice area is focused on Lemon laws, making us the experts in the field. We’ve helped thousands of drivers secure claims against the top manufacturers, and we can help you too. Get your free consultation to see what you can expect from a Lemon law claim.
In this brief guide, we cover California’s Lemon law, discuss what’s covered under it, and show you how to file a Lemon law claim for compensation.
How does the lemon law work for California drivers? The Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, otherwise known as California’s Lemon law, ensures compensation for new and used vehicles that cannot be repaired. It provides valuable protection for consumers who have bought a car and found out it’s defective. This stipulation holds the manufacturer and dealership responsible for selling a defective vehicle and allows the driver to find a different car.
Before filing a California Lemon law claim, it’s important to know if your vehicle would qualify. Both new and used cars can qualify for Lemon law. Most new cars are covered because they have a manufacturer’s warranty. You don’t need to buy a new vehicle for it to be covered. Even a lessee has protection as long as the car is under warranty.
Are used cars covered under lemon law? Used vehicles also receive some coverage, depending on the warranty provided. However, there’s only protection for pre-owned vehicles if they were purchased from a qualifying dealership. Private-party sales don’t receive any coverage.
While cars, trucks and SUVs are covered, Lemon laws apply to other types of vehicles as well. Motorcycles, off-road vehicles, chassis cab trucks and RVs can receive the same protections and are often part of the lemon vehicles list. However, some commercial vehicles wouldn’t be covered, which is why it’s important to talk to an experienced Lemon law attorney about your specific rights.
California lemon law covers a wide range of issues, including mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems. This law protects against mechanical failures, such as engine issues and defective transmissions. Lemon vehicles may also experience simple defects that cause significant inconveniences, like malfunctioning air conditioning or power window failures. Lemon law lawyers assist you in determining if the California lemon law applies to your situation so you can get compensation.
For a car to qualify for lemon law in California, there must be a significant defect occurring that affects its use, value or safety. Under California’s Lemon law rules, a vehicle qualifies for a lemon law case when it meets the following criteria:
If the Lemon law applies to your vehicle, there are several different options available to you. You may be able to receive a refund, a Lemon law buyback, or a replacement vehicle. The refund for your new or used vehicle would take into account how much you drove the car before the defect occurred. A replacement vehicle should be of equal value or exceed it, and there should be no defects on it.
Auto manufacturers may also owe you cash compensation for your legal fees, repair costs, and other related expenses. An experienced attorney will help you file for these costs and handle the negotiation for you. In some cases, the vehicle owner is offered a cash settlement to keep the vehicle. This may be a good option if the vehicle defect is something you can live with, but any trips to the repair shop regarding the problem will be paid for by you and not the manufacturer.
If you file a Lemon law case on a brand-new vehicle, you don’t need to worry about penalties or retaliation from the manufacturer or dealership. California Lemon law ensures you are protected during your claim.
A Lemon law buyback is when you return the vehicle to the manufacturer, and they pay you for it. This option only occurs if the vehicle was within the warranty period and there were a reasonable number of attempts to repair the problem. Once the vehicle has been returned, you are free from any payment obligation, and you can pursue another car. You can estimate the possible payout with our Lemon law buyback calculator to see what you might be owed.
It’s not difficult to learn how to start a Lemon law claim with the right professional by your side. The key to any good claim is proper documentation. California Lemon law attorneys want to see all of the paperwork, including the purchase agreement (with the down payment, monthly payments, and fees), warranty documentation, and any repair orders. With all of your communication, keep track of every repair attempt by writing down the date, outcome, and the people you’ve spoken with.
A letter needs to be sent to the manufacturer outlining everything that has occurred up until that point. In this letter, you want to state that the vehicle meets the guidelines under Lemon law and list the outcome you hope to achieve. If the response you receive isn’t satisfactory, it’s time to file a claim.
If you have all your evidence in order, the claim shouldn’t be difficult to win. However, there’s always the chance that your claim will end up in court, which could prolong the resolution.
Prior to this point, you should have been working with an experienced Lemon law attorney. As experts in the field, The Lemon Pros has helped thousands of clients get reimbursement without going to court. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
An experienced Lemon law attorney works with auto manufacturers and dealerships to get compensation for clients with defective vehicles. They only specialize in one type of law, making them experts in the field.
By hiring a lawyer to represent you, there’s a lot less you need to worry about. All of the documentation will be handled properly, and all of the forms will be sent on time. Additionally, the manufacturers and dealerships are more apt to comply with a lawyer than a consumer.
While you may be able to successfully navigate a California Lemon law claim and get some money back, the lawyer can maximize compensation and get reimbursement for more of your expenses. We know what’s covered and how to get you the settlement you deserve.
The best part is that we charge nothing upfront. Our consultation is free and we only get paid if you earn a settlement. This pay structure ensures we work as hard as possible for our clients. You have every reason to pursue legal action today.
The average Lemon law settlement is anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the type of car you drive and the defect. There are many factors affecting the settlement, including what you paid for the vehicle, how much you drove it, and whether there are expired warranties. A lawyer can help you navigate your legal rights and ensure you are within the time limit to file a claim on your purchased or leased vehicle.
As with most consumer goods, cars are subject to warranty laws. If your new or used car has a defect under its warranty coverage and cannot be repaired, you may be eligible for compensation. By speaking with a Lemon lawyer during a free consultation, you can learn more about your options. Trust the experts who know how to win Lemon law cases.
Contact us to get the representation you deserve. As premier Lemon law attorneys in California, we fight for your rights.
If your vehicle comes with a written warranty and there's a serious defect affecting the use, value or safety, you shouldn't have trouble getting compensation. To maximize your payout and reduce waiting time, it's best to have a qualified attorney represent your lemon law dispute against the automobile manufacturer.
Both purchased or leased vehicles are covered under California lemon law. New and some pre-owned cars qualify if there's a significant defect affecting its value, use or safety. You must have allowed for the minimum amount of repair attempts (two for serious safety concerns and four for all others), plus have documentation of the defect and the inability to have it repaired.
While there's no return policy on used vehicles sold in California, you may be able to take legal action if you are the victim of fraud or deceptive business practices. There must be a warranty, whether written or implied, and you should consult a lemon law attorney for more support.
While lemon law covers sold and lease defective vehicles, there are some that won't qualify. For example, some commercial vehicles aren't protected under California lemon law. Lemon law presumes that the vehicle is for personal, family or household use.
You may still be due a refund or replacement vehicle, even if there's no longer a car warranty. California law does allow for other lawsuits besides as a lemon. If the dealership deceived you or committed fraud, you may have a legal case, especially if the defects were known and could cause serious injury.
After you've allowed for multiple repair attempts and you've double-checked all of your paperwork, including the manufacturer's original warranty, it's best to consult with a qualified lawyer. Your attorney can check to see if vehicles qualify as a lemon and offers legal representation to expedite your case.
Phone: (855) 725-2446
Email: [email protected]
We have an excellent success record in representing consumers just like you! We are award winning attorneys, but that has not gotten to our heads. We are attorneys who care and give personalized attention to each and every client, our attorneys directly handle your claim.
© Lemon Pros © 2025. All rights reserved.
Powered by GLP Marketing
