California Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) protects Los Angeles consumers who purchase or lease a new defective vehicle that the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts. As of 2025, major updates to the law, including new filing deadlines, written notice requirements, and mandatory mediation, mean it’s more important than ever to act quickly and consult an attorney.
When you hear somebody talk about California’s lemon law, you probably think about defective vehicles. While this is where the lemon law is often applied, the law can be applied to other consumer products, including electronics, appliances, residential furniture, and other manufactured goods.
For Los Angeles residents dealing with a defective vehicle, understanding your rights under California’s Lemon Law is essential. Cha Cha Cha Law, located in Downtown Los Angeles, has helped countless Southern California clients navigate these exact situations.
Application of California’s Lemon Law to Vehicles
As of 2025, California’s Lemon Law protections now apply primarily to new vehicles (not older vehicles still under warranty). The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the official name for California’s Lemon Law, found at Cal. Civil Code §§ 1790–1795.7, applies to the following:
- Automobiles, trucks, SUVs, and vans
- Chassis, drivetrain, and chassis cab of a motor home
- Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators
- Vehicles purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use
- Vehicles bought or leased primarily for business purposes
- Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles sold with a new manufacturer’s warranty (model year 2021 or newer)
Important 2024 Update for used car buyers: Standard used vehicles with remaining factory warranties no longer qualify for the lemon law’s refund-or-replace remedy.
Only vehicles sold as CPO with a new manufacturer-issued warranty are eligible. If you purchased a used car in Los Angeles and believe it is defective, your attorney is your next stop to understand what options are still available to you.
The lemon law does not apply to the following:
- Vehicles not registered under the California Vehicle Code (including off-road vehicles)
- Vehicles that have been abused or misused by the owner
Important 2025 Updates to California’s Lemon Law
California’s Lemon Law underwent significant changes with the passage of Assembly Bill 1755 (AB 1755). Here’s how it affects Los Angeles consumers now:
New Statute of Limitations (Filing Deadline)
You now have a much shorter window to file a lemon law claim. The new deadline is one year after your express warranty expires, or no more than six years from the date the vehicle was delivered, whichever comes first. Previously, you had four years after the warranty expired.
Written Pre-Suit Notice Required
Before filing a civil lawsuit and seeking civil penalties, Los Angeles consumers must now provide written notice to the manufacturer that includes your name, VIN number, a brief description of the defects, and a request for repurchase or replacement (by certified mail or email to the address listed in your owner’s manual or warranty booklet).
Mandatory Early Mediation
For cases filed after April 1, 2025 (where the manufacturer has opted into the AB 1755 framework), there is a mandatory mediation process early in litigation before full discovery can proceed. This is designed to encourage faster settlements, but it also means the process and timeline have changed significantly.
These 2025 Lemon Law updates make it more important than ever to consult a Los Angeles lemon law attorney early in the process to protect your rights.
Lemon Law Checklist
Not sure whether your car or truck is covered by California Lemon Law? Use the following checklist to determine if you may be eligible for a replacement or refund:
- Step 1 (repair attempts for safety defects): If the problem covered under warranty could cause death or serious injury, has the manufacturer or dealer been given at least two opportunities to repair it?
- Step 2 (repair attempts for non-safety defects): If the defect covered under warranty is not life-threatening, has the manufacturer or dealer made four or more attempts to fix the same issue without success?
OR
- Step 3 (days out of service): Has your vehicle been out of service for more than thirty days total due to warranty repairs (for any number of problems)?
OR
- Step 4 (substantial impairment): Did the defect covered by the warranty significantly reduce your vehicle’s use, value, or safety? And were the defects not caused by your own abuse or misuse of the vehicle?
- Step 5 (notice to the manufacturer): Have you directly notified the manufacturer in writing about the defects (preferably by certified mail or email), as may be required by your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual or warranty? Under the 2025 law changes, written notice is now mandatory before seeking civil penalties.
- Step 6 (filing deadline): Are you within one year of your warranty’s expiration and no more than six years from your vehicle’s delivery date? If not, your claim may be time-barred under the new AB 1755 rules.
Contact a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney Today
If you have met all, or even most, of the criteria listed above, it is time to see if you are entitled to a vehicle replacement or refund of your purchase price. Not sure whether you qualify? There’s no time to wait. The 2025 changes to California’s Lemon Law have made filing deadlines significantly shorter, and missing the window could cost you your right to a claim.
The Law Offices of Alex Cha & Associates serve clients throughout Los Angeles, including Koreatown, Downtown LA, and the greater Los Angeles County area. Schedule your free consultation today.
Our firm handles motorcycles and new / leased vehicle lemon law cases. We also cover cases involving specific vehicle brands, including Toyota, Honda, Tesla, BMW, Hyundai, and Kia, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Lemon Law
1. Does California Lemon Law apply to used cars in Los Angeles?
As of 2025, standard used vehicles with remaining factory warranties no longer qualify for the lemon law’s refund-or-replace remedy. The only exception is certified pre-owned vehicles sold with a new manufacturer-issued warranty for model year 2021 or newer. If you bought a used car and are not sure whether it qualifies, contact Cha Cha Cha Law for a free consultation.
2. What is the deadline to file a lemon law claim in California in 2025?
Under the updated rules, you have one year after your express warranty expires to file and no more than six years from the date your vehicle was originally delivered, whichever comes first. This is a much shorter window than before, so it is important not to wait.
3. Does California Lemon Law only apply to cars?
No. While vehicles are the most common application, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act also covers other consumer products, including electronics, appliances, and residential furniture, as long as they were purchased with a warranty and the defect occurred during the warranty period.
4. How many times does a dealership have to fail to fix my car before I have a lemon law claim?
It depends on the type of defect. For a safety-related defect that could cause death or serious injury, the manufacturer needs at least two failed repair attempts. For other defects, it is generally four or more failed attempts for the same issue. Your vehicle being out of service for more than 30 total days due to warranty repairs is also a qualifying factor.
5. Do I have to send written notice to the manufacturer before filing a lemon law lawsuit?
Yes, in most cases. Under the 2025 updates to California’s lemon law, written notice to the manufacturer is now required before you can seek civil penalties in a lawsuit. The notice must include your name, VIN, a brief description of the defects, and a request for repurchase or replacement. It must be sent by certified mail or email to the address listed in your owner’s manual or warranty booklet.
6. What vehicles are covered under California Lemon Law in Los Angeles?
Covered vehicles include new cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, dealer-owned demonstrators, vehicles purchased for personal or business use, and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles sold with a new manufacturer warranty for model year 2021 or newer. Off-road vehicles not registered under the California Vehicle Code and vehicles that have been abused or misused by the owner do not qualify.
7. What happens after I file a lemon law claim in Los Angeles?
For cases where the manufacturer has opted into the AB 1755 framework, there is now a mandatory mediation process early in the case before full discovery can proceed. This is designed to encourage faster settlements, but the timeline and steps are different from what they were before 2025. Having an attorney guide you through the process from the start can make a significant difference. Attorney Alex Cha handles lemon law cases throughout Los Angeles and can walk you through every step.
8. How do I know if my car qualifies as a lemon in California?
The quickest way to find out is to speak with a lemon law attorney who can review your repair history and warranty documents. Generally, your vehicle may qualify if it has a warranty-covered defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of chances to fix it without success. Reach out to Cha Cha Cha Law for a free consultation and get a straight answer.