California Lemon Law
California lemon law protections for defective vehicles — how many repair attempts qualify, the coverage period, and what refund or replacement you can demand.
Standard state lemon law protection.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers both new vehicles and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles that come with a written manufacturer warranty.
Lemon Law Thresholds in California
Available Remedies
- ✓Full refund (including taxes, fees, and finance charges)
- ✓Replacement vehicle of equal value
- ✓Civil penalty up to 2× actual damages for willful violations
- ✓Attorney fees paid by manufacturer
California has one of the strongest lemon laws in the country. The civil penalty of 2× actual damages for willful violations gives consumers significant leverage. Many California lemon law cases are resolved without litigation because manufacturers know the risk of losing in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many repair attempts qualify as a lemon in California?
2 attempts. For serious safety defects, just 2 repair attempts create a presumption of a lemon. For other defects, 4 repair attempts. The manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair.
Does California lemon law cover used vehicles?
Yes. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers both new vehicles and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles that come with a written manufacturer warranty.
How long is the California lemon law protection period?
18 months or 18,000 miles. The lemon law presumption applies within 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first. Song-Beverly warranty protections extend through the entire warranty period.
What remedies can I get under the California lemon law?
Full refund (including taxes, fees, and finance charges); Replacement vehicle of equal value; Civil penalty up to 2× actual damages for willful violations; Attorney fees paid by manufacturer.
What counts as "out of service" under California lemon law?
30 days. 30 or more calendar days out of service (not necessarily consecutive) creates a lemon presumption.
How do I file a lemon law claim in California?
Start by documenting all repair attempts with written records from the dealer. Send a certified letter to the manufacturer notifying them of the defect and your lemon law claim. If the manufacturer does not resolve it, you can file with California DMV / California Attorney General or proceed to arbitration or court.