Home / California Lemon Law
Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
Understanding California lemon law.
If the dealer can’t fix a substantial warranty defect after a reasonable number of attempts, California law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement or cash compensation.
30-second check
Could your vehicle be a lemon?
Answer all four to see your result. Not legal advice.
How does California lemon law work?
California’s lemon law — formally the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — protects drivers who bought or leased a vehicle with a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. A claim may apply when:
Not every problem qualifies. Repair attempts, time in the shop, warranty coverage and how serious the defect is all matter — which is why a free review is the fastest way to know.
What vehicles may qualify?
New, leased, and certain qualifying pre-owned vehicles with recurring warranty defects, including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, electric vehicles, hybrids, certified pre-owned vehicles, and some business-use vehicles.
Common lemon law problems
What compensation may be available?
Vehicle buyback
The manufacturer repurchases the vehicle and reimburses eligible costs.
Replacement
A comparable replacement vehicle from the manufacturer.
Cash settlement
Compensation while you keep the vehicle.
Additional reimbursement may be available for repairs, towing, rentals and related expenses — and in successful claims, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees.
Turn your lemon into lemonade.
Find out in under a minute whether your vehicle may qualify. No recovery, no attorney fees.