Lemon Lawyers Explain: What Counts as a “Reasonable Number” of Repairs

When your car keeps heading back to the shop for the same problem, you’ll naturally wonder: how many repair attempts are “enough” before California’s lemon law might apply? Lemon lawyers often call this the “reasonable number of repairs” question. Below, ZapLemon explains how California measures repair attempts, what counts toward the threshold, and practical steps you can take to protect your rights—all in plain, everyday language.

How California Defines a Reasonable Repair Count

California’s lemon law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) doesn’t set a single magic number that fits every situation. Instead, “reasonable” depends on factors like how serious the defect is, how frequently it happens, whether it affects safety, and how long the vehicle is out of service. A brake or steering defect typically requires fewer attempts than, say, a squeaky panel, because the risk is very different.

That said, California also includes a helpful legal “presumption” (often called the Tanner Consumer Protection Act) that gives consumers a guidepost during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after delivery, whichever comes first. Under that presumption, the law assumes you’ve given a reasonable number of repair attempts if: (1) the same defect was subject to repair four or more times; or (2) a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury was subject to repair two or more times; or (3) your vehicle was out of service for repairs for a total of more than 30 days. These repairs generally need to be performed by the manufacturer or its authorized dealer under the warranty, and the manufacturer must be given notice and a chance for a final repair as described in your warranty booklet.

Even if you’re outside those 18 months or 18,000 miles, or you haven’t hit those exact counts, you may still have a claim. The presumption is a shortcut that helps consumers, but it isn’t the only path. Courts look at the overall picture: a transmission that shudders and loses power at highway speeds, an airbag warning that won’t clear, or a persistent stalling issue may require fewer attempts than a cosmetic rattle. Software fixes and “updates” count as repair attempts too, and days waiting on parts generally count toward days out of service. The bottom line: “reasonable” is about how the defect affects safety, use, and value—not just a rigid number.

What to Document and When to Talk to ZapLemon

Good documentation is your best friend. Keep every repair order and invoice, including the dates in and out, the mileage at drop-off and pick-up, your complaint as written by the advisor (“customer states”), the technician’s findings, and the repair performed. Save recall or technical service bulletin (TSB) notices, photos or videos of the issue, tow and rental receipts, and any emails or texts with the dealer or manufacturer. If the dealer provides a loaner or you rent a car, note those dates too, because they help show days out of service.

Be specific when describing symptoms: “vehicle stalls after 15 minutes at 45–55 mph,” “infotainment screen freezes daily after startup,” or “brake pedal sinks at stoplights.” Ask the advisor to include your wording on the repair order, request a test drive with a technician if the issue is intermittent, and don’t leave without a copy of the final paperwork—even if the line says “could not duplicate.” If you’re near the end of your warranty, schedule service promptly and make sure the dealer documents the concern before coverage expires.

Consider contacting ZapLemon sooner rather than later if: you’ve had two failed attempts on a safety-related defect (like stalling, brake issues, steering or airbag lights), three to four attempts on a recurring non-safety problem (like transmission jerking, repeated check-engine lights, A/C that won’t cool, or infotainment reboots), or your vehicle has been out of service 20–30 days and counting. It’s also wise to reach out if the dealer keeps saying “no problem found” while the issue persists, you’re approaching the 18-month/18,000-mile mark, or the manufacturer is suggesting arbitration. A quick conversation can help you understand your options and plan your next steps.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with ZapLemon. California lemon law is fact-specific, and outcomes depend on your unique circumstances. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon—or you just want to understand your rights—contact ZapLemon at zaplemon.com to request a consultation. Attorney advertising.