California Lemon Law: Intake Questions You’ll Hear

If your car keeps going back to the shop for the same problem, you’re probably searching for clear answers about the California Lemon Law—and wondering what a law firm will ask you during that first call. At ZapLemon, our intake questions are designed to quickly understand your situation, spot issues that matter under California law, and identify the documents that help tell your vehicle’s story. This article explains, in plain language, the common intake topics and the information that’s helpful to have ready before you reach out.

What We Ask in Your California Lemon Law Intake

First, we’ll ask for the basics about your vehicle and ownership: the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), plus whether you bought or leased, and the purchase/lease date. We’ll also ask about current mileage and the mileage when the problem first appeared. These details help place your situation within the time and mileage windows that are often discussed in California Lemon Law cases under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

Next, we’ll dig into the defect history. Expect questions about the main issue you’re experiencing (for example, engine stalling, transmission shudder, brake vibration, electrical glitches, steering pull, infotainment freeze-ups, or warning lights), how the problem affects safety or drivability, and how often it happens. We’ll ask how many times the vehicle has been repaired—or attempted to be repaired—for the same or similar issue, how many total days it’s spent in the shop, and whether any repairs were performed by an authorized dealership. If there were tow events, loaner cars, or rental cars, that’s important too.

Finally, we’ll cover warranty and communication history. We’ll ask whether the vehicle was under the manufacturer’s warranty when the issues began, whether you purchased an extended service contract, and if you’ve had any conversations with the dealer or manufacturer (phone, email, or text) about the repeat problems. We may ask about recalls, technical service bulletins (TSBs) that were mentioned to you, any offers you’ve received (such as a goodwill repair or buyback discussion), and whether you’ve tried arbitration. We might also ask about modifications, prior accidents, commercial or rideshare use, or aftermarket parts—factors that can influence how the manufacturer responds.

Common Vehicle and Warranty Details to Prepare

Before you call, it helps to gather a few documents. The sales or lease agreement shows when and how you obtained the vehicle, and the warranty booklet outlines coverage terms. Repair orders and invoices from the dealership are especially important; they show the complaint you reported, the technician’s findings, the fix attempted, and your in/out mileage and dates. If you received tow receipts, rental or loaner paperwork, or roadside assistance records, those can help establish downtime and inconvenience.

Keep your evidence organized. Create a simple timeline noting each repair visit date, mileage, and a short description of the issue (e.g., “7/12/24 – 18,450 miles – transmission jerking between 2nd and 3rd; dealer reprogrammed TCM”). Photos or short videos of warning lights, leaks, smoke, or intermittent screen glitches can be useful, as can screenshots of messages or emails with the service advisor or manufacturer. If you were told “could not duplicate” or “operating as designed,” note how the problem continued after you left the service department.

Double-check warranty status and coverage. If the defect started while the vehicle was under the manufacturer’s warranty (including bumper-to-bumper or powertrain), that’s a key detail for many lemon law claims. Certified pre-owned coverage, emissions warranties, and corrosion warranties may also be relevant in some situations. If you’re unsure, ask the dealer for a warranty coverage printout based on your VIN, or look up the in-service date. Even if you’re outside the common “presumption” period, California Lemon Law rights can still exist in many circumstances—so don’t assume you’re out of options just because time has passed.