If your 2022 Infiniti Q60 keeps visiting the dealership for the same problem, you may be wondering whether California’s lemon law can help—and whether a replacement vehicle is on the table. This overview explains how the law generally works for California consumers, what “reasonable repair attempts” means, and what replacement or buyback options might look like. It’s educational information only, not legal advice; speaking with a lawyer about your specific situation is the best next step.
Is Your 2022 Infiniti Q60 a Lemon in California?
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (often called the California Lemon Law) generally protects buyers and lessees of vehicles that develop warranty-covered defects which substantially impair the car’s use, value, or safety, and that the manufacturer can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts. This typically applies to new vehicles and many used or certified pre-owned vehicles still under the manufacturer’s warranty. If your 2022 Infiniti Q60 is still within its warranty period and has persistent issues, you may fall under this protection.
There’s also a legal “presumption” that can make qualifying easier under certain conditions during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first). In that window, a car may be presumed a lemon if: the manufacturer or its dealers made at least two repair attempts for a defect that could cause serious injury or death, or four repair attempts for any other warranty defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repair for a total of 30 or more days. This presumption is not required to bring a claim—it just provides a helpful shortcut if met.
Owners have reported a range of issues in performance coupes like the Q60, including transmission shudder or harsh shifting, infotainment freezes or backup camera glitches, repeated “check engine” warnings, electrical problems, or steering and brake concerns. One or two trips to the shop usually isn’t enough by itself, but repeating the same defect under warranty can be a red flag. Practical steps: keep every repair order and invoice, note dates and mileage, describe symptoms consistently, and verify your warranty coverage in your owner’s materials or online portal.
Replacement or Buyback Options Under CA Law
If a manufacturer can’t fix a warranty defect after a reasonable number of attempts, California law generally requires the manufacturer to offer a remedy—replacement or repurchase (buyback)—typically at the buyer’s choice. A replacement is usually a new, substantially identical vehicle with the same or comparable options. The manufacturer is responsible for applicable taxes and registration on the replacement, and a usage/mileage offset may apply based on the miles driven before the first repair attempt. Warranty coverage on a replacement vehicle starts anew.
A buyback (repurchase) usually includes returning the vehicle and receiving a refund of what you paid or owe, including down payment, monthly payments, sales tax, registration, and certain finance charges, less a mileage offset for use before the first repair attempt. California commonly calculates the usage deduction with this formula: (miles at first repair attempt ÷ 120,000) × purchase price. Incidental damages such as towing and reasonable rental car costs related to the defect may be recoverable. Items like aftermarket add-ons or negative equity from a trade-in can complicate the math.
Before deciding between replacement and buyback, consider practicality: vehicle availability and configuration, how the usage deduction might compare under each option, and whether you’re comfortable staying with the same model. Keep making payments unless told otherwise in writing—missing payments can affect your credit. Avoid informal “final offers” without understanding your rights, and keep communicating in writing. Each case turns on its facts and documents, so a brief consultation can help you understand timelines, evidence, and next steps.
This article is for general information only, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. If you think your 2022 Infiniti Q60 may qualify as a lemon or you want to learn more about replacement versus buyback, contact ZapLemon to discuss your situation. Reach us at www.ZapLemon.com to request a consultation.