When car problems don’t go away, it’s hard to know what to do next. California’s Lemon Act—part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act—exists to protect consumers when a vehicle spends too much time in the shop or the same defect keeps coming back. Below, we explain how the law generally works and highlight current auto defect trends, along with practical tips on what to document if you think your car might be a lemon.
How California’s Lemon Act Protects Consumers
California’s Lemon Act is a state law that requires manufacturers to fix covered defects within a reasonable number of attempts while the vehicle is under the manufacturer’s warranty. If they can’t, the law may require the manufacturer to offer a repurchase or replacement. “Reasonable” isn’t a fixed number: it depends on the seriousness of the defect, how many repair attempts were made, and how long the car was out of service. For example, repeated transmission shudder, electrical failures that strand you, or brake issues that affect safety may require fewer attempts than a minor rattle.
Coverage usually applies to new and many used vehicles purchased or leased in California that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty, including electric vehicles and certified pre-owned cars. It typically covers personal or household use vehicles, and some small business vehicles within weight limits. Issues caused by aftermarket modifications, misuse, or accidents are generally not covered. Keeping up with regular maintenance and using authorized repair facilities helps avoid disputes about coverage.
The process typically starts with bringing the car to an authorized dealer, clearly describing symptoms, and giving the manufacturer a reasonable opportunity to repair. If the problem persists, consumers often escalate by contacting the manufacturer and, in some cases, participating in an informal dispute program. Deadlines can apply to lemon law claims, so gathering records early is important. Every situation is fact-specific—ZapLemon can review your timeline and warranty history and discuss your options in a consultation.
Current Auto Defect Trends and What to Document
Modern vehicles rely heavily on software and electronics, and many current defects reflect that shift. Common complaints include infotainment screens that freeze or reboot, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that trigger false braking or drift warnings, and keyless systems that fail intermittently. Over-the-air (OTA) updates can fix bugs, but they can also introduce new ones—owners sometimes report features disappearing after an update or warnings that won’t clear.
EVs and hybrids also show distinct patterns. Drivers report rapid infotainment or cluster failures, charging faults, and high-voltage battery issues such as unexpected range drops or thermal management alerts. On the gasoline side, we continue to see excessive oil consumption in some turbo engines, transmission hesitation or “judder” in certain CVTs, and fuel pump problems that cause stalling. Safety-related concerns—like airbag warning lights, brake booster failures, steering rack noises with loss of assist, and engine stalling at highway speeds—tend to escalate faster due to risk.
If you’re dealing with recurring issues, documentation is key. Save every repair order and make sure each one lists the concern, cause, and correction, plus dates, in/out mileage, and the number of days your car was in the shop. Keep photos or videos of warning lights, error messages, leaks, or noises; note weather and driving conditions when symptoms occur; and record any diagnostic codes or software version numbers before and after updates. Track loaner or rental vehicles, towing receipts, and any out-of-pocket expenses. For EVs, note state of charge, charging session errors, and battery health readings if available. Also save emails or texts with the dealer or manufacturer and keep copies of recall or technical service bulletin notices.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every situation is different, and laws can change or apply differently based on your facts. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon—or you just want help understanding your rights—contact ZapLemon at (844) 927-5366 or visit https://zaplemon.com to request a consultation. Attorney Advertising.