A 2022 McLaren 720S should deliver breathtaking performance—not recurring warning lights, limp-mode episodes, or weeks parked at the dealer. If you’re in California and your 720S keeps visiting the service bay for the same problems, you may be wondering whether the California lemon law applies and how to begin the process the right way. The overview below explains key concepts in plain language and offers practical first steps. It’s for general information only, not legal advice.
Is Your 2022 McLaren 720S a Lemon in California?
California’s lemon law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) generally protects consumers when a new or warrantied vehicle has a defect that substantially impairs use, value, or safety and the manufacturer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of attempts. For a 2022 McLaren 720S, that usually means the issue started while the vehicle was under McLaren’s new-vehicle warranty (or a remaining manufacturer’s warranty on a used car) and you gave an authorized McLaren dealer a fair chance to repair it. The law can apply to new, leased, and certain used vehicles still covered by the manufacturer.
What counts as a “substantial” defect depends on the facts. With a supercar like the 720S, examples owners report include repeated check-engine lights and limp mode, dual-clutch transmission hesitation or failure messages, electrical gremlins like parasitic battery drain, infotainment or IRIS system freeze-ups, hydraulic suspension faults (Proactive Chassis Control), steering or brake warnings, and cooling or overheating concerns. Safety-related issues—like sudden power loss, brake warnings, or airbag/SRS faults—can weigh more heavily than comfort or cosmetic concerns, but persistent non-safety defects can qualify, too, if they significantly impact use or value.
California also has a “lemon law presumption” that may apply within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: for example, two or more repair attempts for a defect that could cause serious injury or death, four or more attempts for other defects, or the vehicle being out of service for repair for a total of 30 or more days. Even if your 720S doesn’t fit this presumption, you may still have a claim—there’s no absolute magic number. The specifics matter, and deadlines may apply, so documenting the problem and your repair history is essential.
First Steps: Records, Repairs, and Warranty Tips
Start by building a clean paper trail. Keep every repair order and make sure it clearly states your complaint in your own words, the dates in and out, mileage, and the dealer’s findings and repairs. Save tow invoices, rental car receipts, and any emails or texts with the service advisor. If the defect is intermittent, jot down dates, weather, fuel level, dash messages, and take short videos (safely) showing symptoms like warning lights or limp mode. Track total days your McLaren is unavailable due to repairs, including parts delays.
Give McLaren an opportunity to fix the issue under warranty by using an authorized McLaren dealer. When you drop the car off, describe the problem consistently; if it’s safety-related, say so. Ask whether there are Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), recalls, or software updates relevant to your VIN, and request the update versions be noted on the repair order. Before picking up the car, review the repair order for accuracy and request corrections if something is missing. Avoid aftermarket modifications or tunes while a defect is being diagnosed—manufacturers sometimes argue those caused or contributed to the problem.
Review your warranty booklet so you understand coverage, exclusions, and the process for opening a case with McLaren Customer Care. Put important communications in writing and keep copies. If problems persist after multiple attempts or long downtime, you can explore options sometimes available under California lemon law, such as repurchase, replacement, or a negotiated cash-and-keep resolution; whether one is appropriate depends on your facts. Some manufacturers offer arbitration programs—participation can have pros and cons. Because the right path varies, consider a consultation with a lemon law attorney. ZapLemon can review your documents, help you understand your options, and discuss next steps. This is general information—not legal advice.
If your 2022 McLaren 720S keeps returning to the shop for the same issues, knowing how California’s lemon law works—and keeping thorough records—can make all the difference. Every situation is unique, and timelines can matter. For a confidential case review, contact ZapLemon at (310) 489-3017 or https://zaplemon.com. This post is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.