California Lemon Law: Your Rights Explained

No. Under California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney fees if you win your case. This means you pay nothing out of pocket – we only get paid if we successfully resolve your case.

In California, you generally have 4 years from the date you knew or should have known about the defect to file a lemon law claim. However, it’s best to act quickly while documentation is fresh and within the warranty period.

Most cases are resolved within 3-6 months, though complex cases may take longer. We work efficiently to get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible while ensuring the best possible outcome.

Generally, you may have a lemon law claim if: (1) The same problem has been repaired 2 or more times for a safety defect, (2) The same problem has been repaired 4 or more times for any substantial defect, or (3) Your vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more days total.

You may be entitled to: (1) A full refund of your purchase price including down payment, monthly payments, and registration fees, (2) A replacement vehicle of equal value, or (3) A cash settlement. You may also recover incidental damages like towing and rental car costs.

Helpful documentation includes: repair orders and invoices, purchase or lease agreement, warranty documents, communication with the dealer or manufacturer, and records of any days your vehicle was in the shop. Don’t worry if you’re missing some documents – we can help obtain them.

You may still have a claim if the defect first occurred during the warranty period, even if the warranty has since expired. Contact us for a free evaluation – many consumers are surprised to learn they still qualify.

California Lemon Law (Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) protects consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles. If your vehicle has a substantial defect that the manufacturer or dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement.

A vehicle qualifies as a lemon if it has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or dealer has been unable to repair the defect after a reasonable number of attempts (typically 2+ attempts for safety issues or 4+ attempts for other issues).

California Lemon Law covers new and used vehicles purchased or leased with a manufacturer’s warranty, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and even some boats. Certified pre-owned vehicles with warranty coverage are also protected.