You drop your car at the dealership because it stalls, shudders, or lights up the dash like a Christmas tree—only to pick it up with a repair order that says “No Problem Found” or “Could Not Duplicate.” If this keeps happening, you’re not alone. At ZapLemon, a California lemon law firm, we hear from drivers across the state who face repeat “no problem found” visits and want to understand what the California Lemon Law might say about it. The information below is meant to help you spot issues, preserve evidence, and know the general rules—so you can make informed decisions about your next steps.
Why ‘No Problem Found’ Keeps Showing Up at Service
Modern vehicles rely on complex software and sensors, and many defects are intermittent. A transmission may hesitate only when warm, an electrical system may glitch after an overnight park, or a warning light may clear itself by the time a technician scans for codes. If the condition doesn’t appear during the short diagnostic window, the dealer may document the visit as “No Problem Found” even though the underlying issue persists. This can be especially common with intermittent stalling, hard starts, battery drains, camera or infotainment failures, and noise/vibration concerns.
How your complaint is described on the repair order also matters. Service departments often summarize your concern quickly; if the write-up is vague (“customer states noise”) instead of specific (“customer states grinding noise during first cold start, below 50°F, turning left, 10–15 mph”), the technician has fewer clues to recreate the problem. Warranty processes and time pressures can lead to brief road tests or basic scans, and if the problem doesn’t replicate, the result may be a “could not duplicate” notation—even when you’ve experienced the issue daily.
You can improve your odds of a meaningful diagnosis and create a stronger paper trail. Be specific about the “when/where/how” of the symptom: speed, temperature, fuel level, terrain, and what you were doing (e.g., braking while turning). Ask the advisor to capture your exact words under “customer states,” and request a test drive with the technician if possible. Bring photos or video of the issue occurring (lights, messages, sounds); just remember California’s two-party consent rule for recording conversations. Always leave with a copy of the repair order showing your complaint, date, and mileage—even if the dealer found “no problem.”
What California Lemon Law Says About Repeat Visits
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (often called the California Lemon Law) generally requires the manufacturer to repair defects covered by warranty within a reasonable number of attempts. A “reasonable” number depends on the defect and circumstances, but repeat visits for the same or similar issue can count toward that tally—even when the dealer writes “No Problem Found.” What matters is that you presented the vehicle for repair under the manufacturer’s warranty, reported the problem, and gave an authorized dealer the opportunity to fix it.
California also has a legal presumption (sometimes called the Tanner presumption) that can apply within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Under that guideline, two or more repair attempts for a serious safety defect, four or more attempts for other substantial defects, or 30 or more cumulative days out of service may indicate the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to repair. Importantly, even if your situation falls outside those specific time or mileage windows, you may still have rights under the Lemon Law; the presumption is just a shortcut that can help in some cases. The core question remains whether the defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety and wasn’t fixed within a reasonable number of attempts.
Practical steps can make a big difference. Keep every repair order, even those that say “No Problem Found,” and organize them in date order with the mileage noted. Track when the issue occurs and any days the vehicle is at the dealer, since “days out of service” can matter. Check your warranty coverage (manufacturer, powertrain, hybrid/EV components, corrosion, and software updates), open a case with the manufacturer if problems persist, and consider asking for a field technician review. If you’re unsure about your rights, consult a California lemon law firm. ZapLemon can review your documents, discuss patterns like repeat “could not duplicate” visits, and explain your options.
This article is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws are subject to change and results depend on specific facts. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon, contact ZapLemon for a consultation at (310) 489-3017 or visit https://zaplemon.com. We’re here to help you understand your rights and next steps under the California Lemon Law.