Lemon Law in California

California lemon law primarily covers new motor vehicles — including cars, trucks, and some other vehicles — that are purchased or leased in California and are still under the manufacturer's original warranty. Some used vehicles sold with a dealer or manufacturer warranty may also qualify. General consumer goods beyond vehicles can sometimes be covered as well, though vehicles are the most common subject of claims.

A vehicle may qualify if it has a substantial defect that affects its use, safety, or value, and the manufacturer or an authorized dealer has been unable to fix it after a reasonable number of attempts. A vehicle that has been out of service for repairs for an extended period may also qualify. Minor or cosmetic issues generally do not meet the threshold — the problem must be significant and persistent.

If your vehicle qualifies, you may be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price — minus an offset for your use of the vehicle before the defect arose — or a comparable replacement vehicle. You may also recover certain out-of-pocket costs such as registration fees and related expenses. California law further allows you to recover attorney's fees if you win, which is why many attorneys take these cases on a contingency basis.

Some manufacturers participate in state-certified arbitration programs, and California may require you to use an available program before going to court. However, you are generally not required to accept an arbitration outcome you disagree with — you can still pursue your case in court if the arbitration result is unsatisfactory. A lemon law attorney can advise you on whether arbitration is required in your specific situation.

Deadlines for lemon law claims in California can be strict, and missing them may bar your right to recover entirely. See the deadlines section of this page for guidance on timing, and contact a lemon law attorney or legal-aid organization as soon as you suspect your vehicle may qualify — waiting can seriously harm your case.

Keep every repair order, service receipt, and piece of written correspondence with the dealer and manufacturer. Write down the date, mileage, and your description of the problem each time you bring the vehicle in. These records are essential evidence that the defect exists, that it is substantial, and that you gave the manufacturer a fair chance to fix it — all elements a successful claim depends on.

Yes. In addition to California's state lemon law, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act provides protections for consumers when a product covered by a written warranty fails to meet warranty standards. Depending on your situation, federal and state protections may overlap or one may offer stronger remedies than the other. A lemon law attorney can evaluate which laws apply to your case and advise you on the best path forward.