In California, lemon law is a consumer protection law that provides remedies to individuals who have purchased or leased a vehicle that has endless problems. The law allows consumers to obtain a refund, or a replacement vehicle, if their vehicle cannot be repaired after many attempts. Has your new car been repeatedly in and out of the shop for the same issues? If so, it may be a “lemon.”
“When powerful corporations neglect their legal responsibilities, we make sure they answer for it.”
— Steven Soliman, Founding Attorney
If you purchased or leased a new, used, or demo vehicle from a licensed dealership, California’s Lemon Law may protect you. If your vehicle qualifies, you could be entitled to:
If your vehicle has spent more time in the shop than on the road—despite repeated repair attempts—you may be driving a “lemon.” Our dedicated Lemon Law team helps you recover:
So you can get back behind the wheel with confidence.
The stress and safety risks of a defect-ridden car can quickly add up. Follow these seven steps to protect your rights under state and federal Lemon Laws.
If your car keeps coming back to the shop for the same defects—even after multiple repair attempts—you may have a “lemon.” Watch for these red flags:
The Lemon Law is a consumer protection statute, varying by state, that entitles buyers or lessees of defective vehicles to a refund or replacement when their car cannot be reliably repaired under the factory warranty. If repeated repair attempts fail to resolve a covered defect that substantially impairs safety, use, or value, the manufacturer must make you whole.
When your vehicle is legally deemed a lemon, you can recover the purchase price or lease payments (minus a reasonable usage offset) and reimbursement for related expenses such as towing, rental cars, and repair costs. You may also be compensated for diminished resale value. Most Lemon Law attorneys include their fees and court costs in your recovery, so you keep the full benefit.
Lemon Law lawyers almost universally work on contingency, which means you pay nothing upfront and only owe a percentage of the recovery if you win. This approach eliminates any financial risk and ensures your attorney is motivated to secure the maximum compensation on your behalf.
Your car may qualify if you’ve returned it to the dealer multiple times—often three or more—for the same issue, and the problem remains unresolved. Many states also require your vehicle to have been out of service for a cumulative number of days (typically 30 or more) or that the defect significantly affects its safety, drivability, or resale value. Always check your state’s specific criteria.
Deadlines differ by state but generally range from one to four years after your final repair attempt or the end of your warranty period. Since statutes of limitation can be unforgiving, it’s wise to begin your claim as soon as you recognize a recurring, unfixable defect.
A strong case depends on thorough records: save all repair orders, invoices, and dealer estimates, along with your warranty documents and purchase or lease contract. Log every service date and mileage reading, retain copies of written communications with the dealer or manufacturer, and capture photos or videos that illustrate the ongoing defect and its impact on safety or performance.
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