If your new or used car, truck, or SUV keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, California’s lemon law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) may entitle you to a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement. Under the law, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees if you win, so you pay nothing out of pocket for our help. Every case is different and no result is guaranteed.
New, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles bought or leased in California, generally still under the manufacturer’s warranty when repairs began.
California’s lemon law requires the manufacturer to pay reasonable attorney fees and costs when the consumer prevails, so you pay nothing out of pocket.
If the manufacturer refused a buyback, the law may allow a civil penalty of up to two times your damages for willful violations.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires a manufacturer to replace or repurchase a vehicle, or pay restitution, if it cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs use, value, or safety after a reasonable number of attempts.
Generally no. If you prevail, the law requires the manufacturer to pay your reasonable attorney fees and costs, so there is nothing out of pocket for you. We will explain the terms in writing before you sign anything. No outcome is guaranteed.
There is no single magic number. The Tanner Act creates a presumption if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, a safety defect was repaired 2 or more times, the same defect 4 or more times, or the car was out of service more than 30 days. Cases outside those numbers can still qualify.
Sometimes. Used and certified pre-owned vehicles may be covered when bought from a dealer and the defect arises under a manufacturer warranty that came with the sale. The rules for used vehicles have changed in recent years, so it is worth a review.
Leased vehicles can qualify. A buyback or settlement typically addresses your payments made and the remaining lease balance.
A buyback typically refunds what you paid or owe (less a mileage offset for use before the first repair), pays off the loan, and covers incidental costs like towing and rentals. If a buyback was wrongly denied, a civil penalty may also be possible. Every case is different.
Lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations, but the timing can be complicated. Don’t wait; keep your repair orders.
No. The case review is free and there is no obligation.