California Vehicle Lemon Law Apr 2026

The , officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act , protects consumers who purchase or lease new or certified pre-owned vehicles with substantial defects that the manufacturer cannot repair after a "reasonable" number of attempts . If a vehicle is determined to be a "lemon," the manufacturer must either replace it or refund the purchase price. When Does the Lemon Law Apply?

Buying and Maintaining a Car - California Department of Justice california vehicle lemon law

To qualify for protection, your vehicle and its issues must meet specific criteria: The , officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer

The defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. Buying and Maintaining a Car - California Department

Coverage extends to vehicles bought for personal/family use and small business vehicles (if the business owns 5 or fewer vehicles weighing under 10,000 lbs). The "Lemon Law Presumption"

While there is no fixed number of repair attempts for every case, a legal presumption exists that the manufacturer has had a "reasonable" opportunity if any of the following occur within of delivery:

Generally, the vehicle must have been purchased or leased in California, though active-duty military members stationed in the state may be covered even if their vehicle was bought elsewhere.