California Lemon Law Questions, Answered

California's lemon law is part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. It requires a manufacturer to repurchase or replace a vehicle, or pay cash compensation, when a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety and the manufacturer cannot fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

Your vehicle may qualify if it has a warranty-covered defect that affects its use, value, or safety, and the dealer has been unable to fix it after a reasonable number of attempts. Common signs include the same problem returning after repairs, warning lights that keep coming back, or the vehicle spending weeks at the dealership. The best way to know is a free case review with an attorney.

There is no single fixed number. California presumes a vehicle is a lemon if, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, a serious safety defect was repaired two or more times, the same defect was repaired four or more times, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 total days. Many vehicles qualify outside these presumptions as well, so fewer attempts may still be enough.

No. California's lemon law requires the manufacturer to pay the consumer's attorney fees and costs when the consumer prevails. Naderi Law Group handles lemon law cases at no out-of-pocket cost to clients, and the initial consultation is free.

Depending on the facts, a successful claim can result in a repurchase (refund of what you paid, including down payment and monthly payments, minus a usage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement while you keep the car. Civil penalties of up to two times actual damages may be available if the manufacturer willfully violated the law.

Yes. Repair orders from the dealership are the most important evidence in a lemon law case. Keep every repair order, invoice, and communication with the dealer or manufacturer. If you are missing records, an attorney can usually obtain them.

Every case is handled personally by attorney Ray Naderi, a former manufacturer defense attorney who now represents consumers across California. Clients work directly with Ray rather than being handed off to paralegals or call centers.

Yes. Naderi Law Group represents consumers statewide in California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Inland Empire, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley.