California Lemon Law for Collision Avoidance System Glitches

Collision avoidance systems—features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist—are supposed to make driving safer. But when these advanced driver-assistance systems (often called ADAS) glitch, they can trigger false alarms, sudden braking, or fail to respond when needed. For California drivers dealing with repeated ADAS problems under warranty, the California Lemon Law may offer remedies, depending on the facts of the situation.

Collision Avoidance System Glitches and CA Lemon Law

Collision avoidance systems rely on sensors, cameras, radar, and software to detect hazards. Common glitches include phantom braking on clear roads, inconsistent lane-keep corrections, sensor warnings that won’t clear, or adaptive cruise control that disengages without reason. These issues can be more than an annoyance—unexpected braking in traffic or poor hazard detection can create real safety risks and undermine your confidence in the vehicle.

California’s Lemon Law (part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) generally helps consumers when a vehicle has a warranty-covered defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of attempts. Safety systems like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning are directly related to the “safety” of the vehicle. Even if the car still runs, repeated ADAS malfunctions may still be significant under the law when they affect safety or create unpredictable driving behavior.

California also has a legal “presumption” that can make some claims easier to prove if the problems occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first). In general terms, the presumption may apply when there are: at least two repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury; or four or more attempts for other defects; or the vehicle is out of service for 30 or more cumulative days for warranty repairs. This presumption is not required to bring a claim—vehicles outside those timelines may still qualify, and used or certified pre-owned vehicles can be covered while under the manufacturer’s warranty. Every situation is fact-specific, and this information is not legal advice.

Steps to Document Repairs and Protect Your Claim

Start by documenting what you experience and when it happens. Note dates, mileage, speed, road conditions, weather, and whether any dashboard lights or warnings appeared. If safe to do so, take photos or short videos of warning messages, sensor block notifications, or erratic behavior like sudden braking. Before each service visit, check for recalls and software updates, and avoid making aftermarket modifications that could complicate diagnostics.

When you take the car to the dealership, clearly describe the symptoms and the safety impact in your own words. Ask the service advisor to include three items on every repair order: your complaint, the technician’s cause or diagnosis, and the correction (what was done). Request copies of scan tool printouts, software version numbers, alignment or calibration reports, and any parts replaced. Keep invoices for rental cars or rideshares, and track each day the vehicle is out of service for repairs—those days can matter under California law.

If the issue persists after multiple repair attempts, maintain a simple timeline listing dates, mileage, symptoms, and results. Consider opening a case with the manufacturer’s customer care and save all emails, texts, and call logs. Because ADAS issues can involve technical bulletins, software patches, and sensor calibrations, it can help to speak with a professional about your options. For guidance tailored to your circumstances, contact ZapLemon to request a consultation—discussing your situation with our team can help you understand the next steps without making any commitments.