California's lemon law
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives buyers and lessees of vehicles under the manufacturer's warranty the right to a replacement or refund when the manufacturer cannot conform the vehicle to the warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts. A legal presumption (the Tanner Act) can apply in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles when certain repair thresholds are met. California updated lemon law procedures in 2025, and some rules now depend on the manufacturer.
What to keep
- Purchase or lease contract and warranty documents
- Every repair order, including visits where the dealer found "no problem"
- Notes, photos, or videos of the problem, and communications with the dealer or manufacturer
Dealer and purchase disputes
Other auto issues may involve misrepresentation at sale, undisclosed damage, or financing problems under laws such as the Automobile Sales Finance Act and the Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
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General information about California law, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines and outcomes depend on the facts and the documents. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.