California Lemon Law Guide

California's lemon law — formally the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — protects people who buy or lease defective vehicles that remain under warranty. If your car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or certain other vehicles keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, you may be entitled to a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement.

At Kalantaryan Law Group, we help California drivers statewide. When a claim succeeds, the manufacturer typically pays your attorney fees — so a qualified case often costs you nothing out of pocket.

Who the Law Protects

The Song-Beverly Act generally covers new and certain used vehicles sold or leased in California with a manufacturer's written warranty. Common qualifying vehicles include:

• Cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs
• Motorcycles and some recreational vehicles
• Boats and other watercraft in some circumstances
• Leased and financed vehicles still under warranty

Whether a specific vehicle qualifies depends on warranty coverage, the nature of the defect, and the repair history — not just how frustrated you are with the dealer.

What Makes a Vehicle a "Lemon"

There is no single checklist that applies to every case. Courts and manufacturers look at patterns such as:

• The same substantial defect appears repeatedly after multiple repair attempts
• The vehicle has been out of service for warranty repairs for a cumulative number of days
• A defect that affects safety (brakes, steering, stalling) may qualify with fewer attempts
• The problem substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety

Keep every repair order, warranty booklet, purchase or lease agreement, and communication with the dealer. That paper trail is the foundation of your claim.

What You Can Recover

If your vehicle qualifies, remedies under California law may include:

• Buyback — a refund of what you paid (minus a mileage offset for use before the first repair attempt)
• Replacement — a comparable new vehicle
• Cash settlement — sometimes negotiated when you prefer to keep the vehicle

Incidental costs — registration, towing, rental cars in some cases — may also be part of the discussion depending on your facts.

Why Manufacturer Pays Attorney Fees

When a consumer prevails on a Song-Beverly claim, California Civil Code provides that the manufacturer is generally responsible for the consumer's reasonable attorney fees and costs. That fee-shifting rule is what makes it practical for drivers to hire a lemon law attorney without paying hourly fees out of pocket.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Lemon

1. Gather repair orders, the purchase or lease contract, and warranty documents.
2. Write down dates the vehicle was in the shop and what was reported each time.
3. Do not assume one more dealer visit will fix a pattern that has already repeated.
4. Speak with a California lemon law attorney before accepting a small "goodwill" offer that may waive your rights.

Vehicle-Specific Guides

Some defects show up repeatedly in particular makes and models. Read our guides on Tesla, Nissan CVT, Ford F-150, and Jeep Wrangler lemon law claims in California.

Disclaimer: This guide is general information about California law, not legal advice for your specific situation. Outcomes depend on your warranty, repair history, and facts.

For representation, visit our California Lemon Law practice area.