Start with the records. Repair orders, warranty documents, mileage, and days out of service are more useful than general assumptions about whether a vehicle qualifies.
If your new or used car keeps landing in the shop, California’s Lemon Law may offer help in 2025. The law gives consumers clear rights when a manufacturer can’t fix a substantial defect within a reasonable number of attempts during the warranty period. This article explains, in plain language, what the law covers today and the practical steps you can take if your vehicle might be a lemon—so you can make informed decisions before speaking with a professional.
What California’s Lemon Law Covers in 2025
California’s Lemon Law—part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act—applies to most new and used vehicles sold or leased in the state that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. That includes cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, EVs, and plug-in hybrids, plus many dealer demos and leases. Certain small-business vehicles can also qualify if they’re under 10,000 pounds GVWR and the business has five or fewer vehicles registered in California.
A vehicle may be considered a “lemon” when a defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and the manufacturer (through an authorized dealer) can’t repair it after a reasonable number of attempts. California’s “presumption” guidelines generally point to: four or more repair attempts for the same issue, two or more attempts for a defect likely to cause serious injury or death, or the vehicle being out of service for 30 or more cumulative days—typically within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles. Even if you’re outside those mile or month markers, you may still have rights under the law if the warranty repairs weren’t successful.
If your vehicle qualifies, potential remedies can include a buyback (repurchase) or a replacement vehicle, plus reimbursement for incidental costs like towing and reasonable rental car expenses, subject to deductions such as a mileage offset. This applies in 2025 to modern issues like EV battery failures, software malfunctions requiring repeated over-the-air updates, and recall-related repair delays that keep cars out of service. The law does not cover problems caused by abuse, unauthorized modifications, or accidents, and typically requires that repairs be attempted at a manufacturer-authorized facility.
Steps to Take if Your Car Might Be a Lemon
Start by documenting everything. Keep copies of all repair orders, invoices, recall notices, and correspondence with the dealer or manufacturer. Make sure each repair visit clearly lists the symptoms you reported (for example, brake shudder at highway speeds, stalling when stopped, battery range drop, infotainment screen freezes), the technician’s findings, and what was done. Accurate records can help show the number of repair attempts and days out of service.
Next, confirm your warranty coverage and timeline. The issue must arise during the manufacturer’s warranty period, and California’s statute of limitations generally gives you four years from when you knew or should have known the manufacturer couldn’t fix the defect. If the problem is serious (like repeated brake failure warnings or battery overheating in an EV), promptly return to the dealer and describe the safety concern in writing. If the dealer suggests an over-the-air software patch, ask that the update be documented as a repair attempt tied to your complaint.
Finally, consider your resolution options. Manufacturers sometimes offer arbitration programs, which can be faster but may limit discovery; participation is typically voluntary, and outcomes vary. Before making decisions, many consumers choose to consult a lemon law attorney to review the facts, repair history, and potential remedies. A brief consultation can help you understand the process without committing to any path, and you should avoid stopping payments or returning the car on your own without professional guidance.
Need a case-specific review?
Use the case-review form to share the warranty, repair orders, dates, mileage, and supporting facts an attorney would need to evaluate, or call (844) 927-5366.
Attorney advertising. General information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No result is promised or guaranteed.