Lemon Law Attorneys Explain: The Legal Meaning of “Reasonable Attempts”

If your car keeps going back to the shop for the same problem, you’ve probably seen the phrase “reasonable number of repair attempts.” California’s Lemon Law uses that standard to decide when a manufacturer has had enough chances to fix a defect under warranty. Below, ZapLemon’s lemon law attorneys break down what “reasonable attempts” means, how the state’s legal presumptions work, and practical steps you can take to protect your rights.

What “Reasonable Attempts” Means in California

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (often called the California Lemon Law), a manufacturer must repair warranty-covered defects that substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. The law doesn’t always require a fixed number of visits before relief is available. Instead, it looks at whether the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem through its authorized dealership network and whether the defect persists despite those opportunities.

California also provides helpful “presumptions” under the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. These presumptions can make it easier to show that the manufacturer had enough chances: generally, two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury (for example, brakes or steering that fail), four or more repair attempts for other recurring nonconformities, or the vehicle being out of service for repair for a total of 30 or more days. Typically, these events must occur within the earlier of 18 months from delivery or 18,000 miles to trigger the presumption. Even if you’re outside that window or don’t meet these exact numbers, you may still prove your case without the presumption—it’s evidence, not a hard requirement.

What counts as a “repair attempt” is practical as well as legal. Bringing the vehicle to an authorized dealer, describing the symptom, and allowing the dealer to diagnose and repair generally counts—even if the invoice says “could not duplicate” or the technician performs a software update. Time the car spends at the dealer awaiting parts typically counts toward “days out of service.” Work performed by an independent shop may help document the problem but doesn’t always count as the manufacturer’s repair attempt. The key is that the issue arose under the manufacturer’s warranty and the manufacturer was given a fair chance to fix it through its authorized facilities.

Examples, Repair Logs, and When Counts Are Met

Think about how the rule applies in real life. A vehicle that stalls on the freeway, loses power steering assist, or shows repeated airbag warnings may hit the “serious safety” category after two unsuccessful attempts. Transmission shudder, repeated check-engine lights, or an infotainment system that constantly reboots might fall into the “other defect” category, where four or more unsuccessful attempts can be enough. Separately, if your car spends 30 or more cumulative days in the shop—whether for the same problem or a series of warranty defects—that can also satisfy the presumption. Those days don’t have to be consecutive, and time waiting for backordered parts can count.

Your best evidence is your paperwork. Keep every repair order (RO) and final invoice. Check that the service advisor accurately writes your reported symptom in plain language (“vehicle stalls at idle after 15 minutes,” “steering pulls left at highway speeds,” “brake pedal sinks to floor overnight”). Save towing receipts, loaner or rental car paperwork, and any emails or texts with the dealer. Note dates in and out, mileage in and out, and take photos or short videos when the problem appears. These records help show the number of repair attempts and days out of service, and they often become the backbone of a California Lemon Law claim.

If your vehicle keeps returning for the same issue, if a safety defect persists after one or two visits, or if you’re approaching 30 cumulative days in the shop, it may be time to talk with a lemon law attorney. An attorney can review your warranty, repair history, and timelines to assess your options under the Song-Beverly Act. Every situation is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts, so a consultation is the right next step before making any decisions.