What Is Lemon Law in California?

California’s Lemon Law sets rules that protect consumers who purchase leased or defective vehicles. The statute applies when serious problems remain unresolved after reasonable repair efforts during a warranty period. The law focuses on written warranties, repair obligations, and the responsibilities placed on manufacturers and dealers. Our article explains what the California Lemon Law covers and how it helps vehicle owners facing repeated mechanical problems. 

What Is Lemon Law?

Lemon Law refers to consumer protection rules that give buyers recourse when a vehicle has serious defects that cannot be fixed after repeated repair attempts. These laws set legal criteria for when a car qualifies as a “lemon”, meaning it has a substantial defect that affects use, safety, or value. 

The specifics vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and many states in the US have their own versions of the law with different thresholds for repair attempts and time or mileage limits. A vehicle does not become a lemon for minor issues that do not impact normal use. When a car meets the criteria, manufacturers may be required to repurchase the vehicle or replace it, or, in some cases, issue a refund. 

What Does Lemon Law Cover in California? 

California Lemon Law applies to a defined group of vehicles and transactions. Coverage depends on warranty status, vehicle type, and how the vehicle is used. The law does not apply to every sale, so these distinctions are important to understand. 

Vehicles and Situations That Fall Under Coverage 

These include: 

• New cars sold or leased in California with a manufacturer’s warranty 
• Used cars that still have remaining time on the original factory warranty 
• Passenger vehicles such as cars, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs 
• Motor homes, limited to the chassis, drive train, and chassis cab 
• Dealer-owned vehicles, loaners, and demonstration models 
• Vehicles bought or leased for personal or household use 
• Certain vehicles used mainly for business purposes, depending on size and use 

Items and Situations That Fall Outside Coverage 

These are: 

• Off-road vehicles or equipment not registered under the California Vehicle Code 
• Modifications or add-ons installed after purchase, such as custom van conversions 
• Vehicles damaged due to misuse, neglect, or intentional harm 

Coverage applies to defects related to warranty obligations rather than general dissatisfaction. The vehicle’s condition and repair history also determine eligibility under the statute. 

When Does the Lemon Law Apply in California? 

California uses a legal standard often called the presumption rule. It comes into play after enough repair attempts fail to resolve a covered problem. Similar standards exist in other states, such as the Lemon Law in Illinois, though the details and timeline differ. The presumption may apply when: 

• Issue falls within the scope of the manufacturer’s written warranty 
• Defect first showed up within 18 months of delivery or before 18,000 miles, depending on which occurred first 
• Issue affected the vehicle’s use, market value, or safety in a meaningful way 
• Damage did not result from misuse or intentional conduct
• Manufacturer received notice of the defect when required by the warranty or owner materials, preferably in written form 

In addition, at least one of these situations must be present: 

• Four or more repair visits addressed the same problem, but the issue remains 
• Two or more repair visits involved a defect that could cause serious injury or loss of life
• The vehicle spent over 30 total days in a repair facility for warranty-covered work, even if those days were not consecutive 

While these factors determine the cause for a claim, documentation and timing often decide how the law applies in real cases. 

Steps to Use California Lemon Law 

The following steps help guide you through the process of using the Lemon Law to your advantage. 

Step 1: Gather Your Documentation 

Start collecting every record related to your vehicle’s defect and repair history. This includes: 

• Sales or lease agreement 
• Warranty book
• Disclosure documents 
• Repair orders and shop receipts
• Mileage logs at each service visit 
• Notes or copies of emails and letters to the dealer or manufacturer 

Good records show patterns of failure and how often you sought a fix. 

Step 2: Contact the Manufacturer or Dealer 

Before pursuing a formal claim, give the manufacturer or its dealer a chance to fix the issue under warranty. Submit a written notice that describes the defect, lists repair visits, and asks for resolution. 

Step 3: Evaluate Repair Attempts 

Keep track of how many times the same defect was addressed and how long the vehicle stayed in the shop. California’s standards typically see 4 or more attempts as significant. If you have safety-affecting failures, fewer visits may still qualify. 

Step 4: Consult an Attorney 

Lemon Law attorneys in California understand how manufacturers respond and how to build a strong claim. They can review your documentation, communicate with the manufacturer on your behalf, and prepare any formal complaints. 

Step 5: Submit a Formal Lemon Law Claim

If your attorney confirms eligibility, the next step is filing a formal claim. After that, the attorney will handle settlement talks or proceed with legal action if necessary. A successful outcome can include a buyback, replacement, or monetary compensation. 

Endnote

California Lemon Law provides legal rights for vehicle owners facing repeated warranty problems. Used vehicles, certified models, and business-use cars may still qualify under specific conditions. It’s best to work with a reliable lawyer so that they can strengthen your case with careful documentation and early action.