California Lemon Law for Vehicles Still Under Warranty

If your car is still under warranty but keeps having the same issues, you’re not stuck. California’s Lemon Law—part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act—may provide remedies when a manufacturer can’t fix a substantial defect after a reasonable number of attempts. This article explains what the law generally covers for vehicles still under warranty and how to document your repairs to protect a potential claim, in plain, practical terms.

What the California Lemon Law Covers Under Warranty

California’s Lemon Law generally applies to new and used vehicles that were purchased or leased in California and are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety—for example, transmission slipping, repeated stalling, brake or airbag malfunctions, persistent electrical failures, or advanced driver-assistance issues like lane-keeping or automatic emergency braking that misfires. The manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of chances to repair the problem through an authorized dealer or repair facility.

“Under warranty” typically includes the manufacturer’s new-vehicle limited warranty, powertrain warranty, and many certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties. Emissions warranties and battery warranties for hybrid and electric vehicles may also qualify. Third-party service contracts are generally not the same as a manufacturer’s warranty, so coverage under the Lemon Law can be different—check your paperwork carefully. If you’re dealing with a modern vehicle, software and infotainment failures (e.g., recurring head-unit reboots, over-the-air update glitches, drive-system software faults) can count if they substantially impair use, value, or safety.

If the defect isn’t fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the law may require the manufacturer to repurchase (buy back) or replace the vehicle, and to reimburse certain incidental expenses like towing or rental costs. There is also a mileage-based deduction for the time you were able to use the vehicle before the first repair attempt for the main defect. While California has guidelines—such as multiple repair visits for the same issue, 30+ cumulative days out of service, or fewer attempts for serious safety defects—these are not rigid rules for every case. Each situation is fact-specific, and timelines can vary based on the warranty, the defect, and repair history.

Steps to Document Repairs and Protect Your Claim

Good documentation is one of the most effective ways to protect your rights. For every visit, ask for a detailed repair order and final invoice—even if the dealer says “no problem found.” Make sure each document lists your VIN, mileage in/out, dates, and a clear description of your complaint in your own words (for example, “vehicle stalls at stoplights after 10 minutes of driving, engine shaking, check engine light flickers”). Keep photos or short videos of the problem when safe to do so, note the conditions (speed, temperature, terrain, fuel or charge level), and save receipts for rentals, towing, or rideshares while your car is in the shop.

Always bring the vehicle to a manufacturer-authorized dealer or facility during the warranty period, and clearly request warranty repairs. Be consistent in describing symptoms—avoid making your own diagnosis and focus on what you experience (noise, vibration, warning lights, performance loss). If the issue repeats, ask the service advisor to reference prior visit numbers in the new repair order. You can also request that the dealer check for technical service bulletins (TSBs), software updates, and recalls, and ask for any update notes to be included on the invoice.

Consider opening a case with the manufacturer’s customer care line and keep a record of your case number, emails, and call logs. If the problem persists, some manufacturers offer dispute resolution programs, which may or may not be helpful depending on your situation. Deadlines can apply—both for warranty coverage and for legal claims—so don’t wait to ask questions. Documentation is key: multiple well-documented repair attempts, “out of service” days, and consistent symptom descriptions can make a big difference in evaluating your options.