California Vehicle Lemon Law Apr 2026

The vehicle must be covered by the manufacturer's new-vehicle warranty. This includes new cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles, as well as the chassis of motor homes.

To qualify for protection, your vehicle and its issues must meet specific criteria:

Buying and Maintaining a Car - California Department of Justice california vehicle lemon law

Coverage extends to vehicles bought for personal/family use and small business vehicles (if the business owns 5 or fewer vehicles weighing under 10,000 lbs). The "Lemon Law Presumption"

The , officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act , protects consumers who purchase or lease new or certified pre-owned vehicles with substantial defects that the manufacturer cannot repair after a "reasonable" number of attempts . If a vehicle is determined to be a "lemon," the manufacturer must either replace it or refund the purchase price. When Does the Lemon Law Apply? The vehicle must be covered by the manufacturer's

The defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.

While there is no fixed number of repair attempts for every case, a legal presumption exists that the manufacturer has had a "reasonable" opportunity if any of the following occur within of delivery: The "Lemon Law Presumption" The , officially known

Generally, the vehicle must have been purchased or leased in California, though active-duty military members stationed in the state may be covered even if their vehicle was bought elsewhere.