Lemon Law Champions
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
Dealing with a defective vehicle can be frustrating, especially when repeated repairs, warranty concerns, or manufacturer delays leave you unsure of what to do next.
Our frequently asked questions explain California Lemon Law, potential vehicle eligibility, repair requirements, available compensation, and what to expect during the claims process.
Every case is different, so you should use these answers as general guidance. For advice based on your specific circumstances, Lemon Law Champions can review your situation and help you understand your available options.
Have questions about your defective vehicle? You may be closer to a solution than you think.
Not You, The Manufacturer Does! California Lemon Law protects consumers by requiring the vehicle manufacturer to pay reasonable attorney’s fees in successful lemon law claims. The goal of the law is to make consumers whole, meaning you should not have to lose part of your compensation to legal fees.
A successful California Lemon Law claim may allow you to recover much more than just the cost of repairs. Depending on your case, you could be entitled to a vehicle buyback, including reimbursement for your monthly payments, down payment, registration fees, and payoff of your remaining loan or lease balance, minus a mileage deduction required by law.
You may also be compensated for incidental expenses, such as towing, rental vehicles, or other costs caused by the defective vehicle. In certain situations, consumers may choose a replacement vehicle or even receive a cash settlement while keeping the car. Since every lemon law case is unique, available remedies depend on the details of your claim.
Yes. California Lemon Law protections extend to leased vehicles that are covered by an express or written manufacturer’s warranty. If your leased vehicle has recurring defects that substantially impact its use, value, or safety and the issue is not properly repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, you may have a valid lemon law claim.
Yes. California Lemon Law may apply to used vehicles if they were purchased or leased with an express or written warranty. This includes many vehicles sold with a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty. If the vehicle has ongoing defects covered under warranty that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts, you may have a valid lemon law claim.
California Lemon Law claims generally must be filed within four (4) years from the date you discovered the vehicle may qualify as a lemon or from the date the warranty expired, whichever comes first. Because determining when a consumer “discovered” a vehicle was a lemon can vary based on the facts of the case, it is important not to delay in protecting your rights.