When your car spends more time in the shop than on the road, it’s natural to wonder whether California’s Lemon Law can help. You may have also seen “AB 1755” mentioned alongside Lemon Law topics and want to know what it means. Below, ZapLemon explains how California’s Lemon Law works in plain English and what AB 1755 refers to in this context—so you can understand your options and take the next practical steps.
AB 1755 and Your Rights Under Lemon Law in California
AB 1755 is a bill number that has been used in recent California legislative sessions for proposals related to consumer protections in the vehicle marketplace. Because bill text can change as it moves through the Legislature—and numbers can be reused across sessions—the specifics of any version of AB 1755 depend on the year and final enacted language, if any. In other words, AB 1755 is often discussed as part of ongoing efforts to refine how buybacks, disclosures, and warranty enforcement work, but your core Lemon Law rights come from long-standing statutes.
The backbone of California Lemon Law is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (often called the “California Lemon Law”), along with the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. In everyday terms, the law says that if a vehicle covered by the manufacturer’s warranty has a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety—and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts—the owner or lessee may be entitled to a refund (repurchase) or a replacement. These laws can also allow recovery of incidental damages like towing and rental expenses, and in some circumstances civil penalties if the manufacturer willfully fails to comply.
Common real-world examples include repeating check-engine lights, transmission shuddering or hard shifts, brake problems, electrical or infotainment failures that affect driving, stalling, steering issues, or persistent overheating. The issues must arise during the warranty period. California also has a “lemon law presumption” that can help in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles under certain conditions, though cases can qualify outside those exact markers. If a version of AB 1755 becomes law in a given year, it may target related topics such as clearer buyback disclosures or process timelines—but it does not change the fundamental idea: warranty-backed vehicles should be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts, or the consumer should be made whole.
How the California Lemon Law Process Works
Step one is documentation. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealership for each issue, describe the symptoms clearly, and ask that every complaint be written on the repair order. Keep copies of all repair orders and invoices, note mileage in and out, and track days the car is out of service. If the same problem keeps coming back—or the car is in the shop for 30 or more cumulative days—those facts can support a Lemon Law claim. Also, review your warranty booklet so you’re following maintenance schedules and not inadvertently giving the manufacturer a reason to deny coverage.
If the vehicle still isn’t fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, you can request a repurchase or replacement from the manufacturer. A repurchase typically includes your down payment, monthly payments made, taxes, registration, and certain fees, minus a mileage-based “usage” offset from when the defect first appeared. The lender is paid off as part of the process. Some manufacturers offer arbitration programs; participation may be optional, and outcomes vary. Many consumers choose to consult with a Lemon Law attorney to understand options and next steps before engaging in arbitration or direct negotiations.
Timing matters, and there are legal deadlines, so it’s wise to act promptly if you suspect a lemon. Practical tips include: avoid modifying the vehicle in ways that could be blamed for the defect, save texts/emails with the dealer, and keep a simple timeline of every visit. ZapLemon can review your documents, help you understand whether your situation may qualify under California’s Lemon Law, and explain potential paths forward. Because every case is fact-specific, a consultation is the best way to get guidance tailored to your situation.
California’s Lemon Law is designed to ensure manufacturers stand behind their warranties, and ongoing legislative efforts—sometimes discussed under bill numbers like AB 1755—aim to refine how those protections work in practice. If your car has repeated problems and the dealer can’t fix them, careful documentation and a timely review of your options can make a real difference.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Attorney advertising.
If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon, contact ZapLemon at (310) 489-3017 or https://zaplemon.com to request a consultation and discuss your specific circumstances.