The California Lemon Law, officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, is one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country.
It was designed to protect California residents who purchase or lease a new or used vehicle that turns out to be defective, ensuring that manufacturers and dealers are held accountable when they sell a product that does not work as promised.
California’s Lemon Law goes further than most other states. Unlike many places that only cover repair costs, California law entitles you to a full refund or replacement vehicle if the problem cannot be resolved. It also requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney’s fees if you win your case, which means pursuing a lemon law claim costs you nothing out of pocket.
What counts as a substantial defect? Generally, it is any issue that significantly affects the safety, value, or use of your vehicle. Common examples include persistent engine problems, transmission failures, electrical issues, brake defects, and repeated warning lights that cannot be diagnosed or fixed.
If the dealership has attempted to repair the same problem multiple times without success, or if your car has spent an excessive amount of time in the shop, you may have a strong lemon law case.
