If you’re dealing with repeat car problems, you may be wondering whether California’s Lemon Law can help even if the vehicle is used—and who pays for towing when the car leaves you stranded. This guide explains the basics of California’s Lemon Law as it applies to used cars and what to know about towing costs, coverage, and your rights. It’s written in plain language for consumers and is for informational purposes only.
California Lemon Law for Used Cars: The Basics
California’s Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) doesn’t just apply to brand-new vehicles. Many used cars are covered, too—especially when they’re still under the original manufacturer’s warranty or came with a dealer warranty or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty. If a covered used vehicle has a defect that a manufacturer or authorized dealer can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts, you may have remedies under the law.
A qualifying defect is one that substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. In everyday terms, think about issues like a transmission that slips or won’t shift, engine stalling, brake or steering failures, electrical shutdowns, battery drain in hybrids/EVs, repeated check-engine lights, or infotainment/backup camera failures that affect safety. The defect must be covered by warranty and not caused by abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications.
“Reasonable number of repair attempts” depends on the facts. California has a legal presumption that can help consumers when the issues occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles from the car’s original delivery—but you can still have a viable claim outside that window. Practical steps matter: take the vehicle to an authorized dealership for warranty repairs, describe the symptoms clearly, keep every repair order and invoice, note dates and mileage, and track days out of service. If a dealer sold the car “as-is,” you may still have rights if a separate written warranty was provided or if other laws apply, but the details can be nuanced.
Towing Costs, Coverage, and Your Rights in CA
When a warranty-covered defect leaves your vehicle undriveable, towing becomes more than an inconvenience. Many manufacturer warranties include roadside assistance that covers towing to an authorized dealership. Even if roadside assistance has expired, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to reimbursement of reasonable towing and other incidental expenses connected to warranty repairs, such as rental cars, once a claim is established. The key is to connect the tow to a covered defect and to keep your documentation.
To protect your rights, focus on process and paper trails. If it’s unsafe to drive, stop and call the manufacturer’s roadside assistance or your warranty provider first, and tow the car to an authorized dealer (not an independent shop) so the manufacturer is responsible for the diagnosis and repairs. Ask the service advisor to note your complaint exactly as described, request that warranty coverage be evaluated, and save towing invoices, credit card receipts, and communications. For EVs and many AWD vehicles, flatbed towing is often required—check your owner’s manual—because improper towing can cause additional damage the manufacturer may try to deny.
If towing or rental reimbursement is denied, ask for the reason in writing and keep communicating in a professional, documented way. You can escalate to the manufacturer’s customer care, use any available dispute program, and consider speaking with a lemon law attorney about your options. Strict deadlines may apply, and outcomes depend on the facts of your situation. If you think your used vehicle issues tie back to warranty-covered defects and you’ve had multiple repair attempts or significant days out of service, a consultation can help you understand next steps.
This article is attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney–client relationship with ZapLemon. Every situation is different, and results cannot be guaranteed. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon or you need guidance on towing and reimbursement, contact ZapLemon at (310) 489-3017 or visit https://zaplemon.com to request a consultation. Keep your repair records and receipts handy—we’ll review them with you.