If your new car keeps breaking down and the dealership can’t seem to fix it, you may have a lemon. And in California, the law is firmly on your side. California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is widely considered the strongest lemon law in the country, giving Los Angeles drivers powerful legal rights when a manufacturer sells them a defective vehicle. Whether you bought or leased a new car that’s been plagued by check engine lights, brake problems, electrical failures, or battery issues on an EV, you could be entitled to a full buyback or cash compensation.

The best part? The manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees, not you. Watch the video below to hear directly from Los Angeles lemon law attorney Alex Cha, then read our FAQs to find out if your car qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lemon Law in California

1. What is California’s Lemon Law? California’s lemon law, formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, protects consumers who purchase or lease a new vehicle that has defects the manufacturer or dealer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. It is considered the most consumer-friendly lemon law in the United States.
2. How do I know if my car is a lemon? California law establishes a legal presumption that your car is a lemon if, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, any of the following occur: the vehicle has been repaired 2 or more times for a safety-related defect, repaired 4 or more times for the same non-safety issue, or has been out of service at a dealership for a cumulative total of 30 or more days.
3. Does the 30 days out of service have to happen all at once? No. The 30 days can accumulate across multiple dealership visits. Every day your car is in the shop counts toward the total, even if each individual visit was only a few days long.
4. What are the most common lemon law issues in California? Common issues include check engine lights, brake problems, electrical failures, infotainment system malfunctions, and (increasingly with electric vehicles) battery defects. EV battery replacements can often keep a car out of service for 30+ days on their own, which may be enough to qualify.
5. Can the manufacturer deny my lemon law claim? Yes, manufacturers can contest claims under certain circumstances. For example, if the car has aftermarket parts, has been abused or poorly maintained, has unauthorized modifications, or is used primarily for commercial purposes. This is why having an experienced lemon law attorney review your case is important.
6. Do I have to pay a lemon law attorney out of pocket? No. Under the Song-Beverly Act, if your case is successful, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney’s fees. Most lemon law firms, including Cha Cha Cha Law, charge no upfront fees.
7. What documents do I need for a lemon law claim? The most important documents are your repair orders from every dealership visit. Save every single one. You will also need your purchase or lease agreement, vehicle registration, and any other service records. The more repair orders you have, the stronger your case.
8. What can I get if my car qualifies as a lemon? You may be entitled to a full vehicle repurchase (buyback), where the manufacturer refunds your payments and costs, or a cash settlement as compensation. Attorney’s fees are covered by the manufacturer in either scenario.
9. Is there a new lemon law procedure in California for 2025? Yes. California enacted AB 1755, which updated the filing and procedural requirements for lemon law cases starting in 2025. The new rules affect how cases are filed and prosecuted but do not reduce consumer rights or the amount of compensation available.