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The California Lemon Law is one of the most comprehensive among
all 50 U. S. states. The California Lemon Law was designed with
the consumer in mind, covers new and used vehicles and was legislated
to help car buyers with recourse when purchasing or leasing subpar
automobiles. Below is a brief description of the most frequently
asked questions about the California Lemon Law.
Q: How many times does my car or other vehicle have to be repaired
for the same thing before its considered a lemon?
A: Generally, a reasonable number of attempts is 4 times within
18,000 miles or 18 months. However, if the vehicle nonconformity
is safety related such as it could cause serious injury or death,
then 2 attempts is deemed reasonable.
Q: How long does my vehicle have to be in the shop before it
is considered a lemon?
A: If your vehicle has been in the shop for 30 calendar days during
any 18-month period or the first 18,000 miles of your warranty,
it is probably a lemon.
Q: What kinds of vehicles are covered under the law?
A: New cars, light trucks and recreational vehicles plus leased
vehicles are covered.
Q: I want my money back from my lemon. Will the dealer offer
a refund?
A: The dealer has 30 days to accept the return of your vehicle.
It is your choice to have the vehicle replaced or have your money
refunded including license fees, towing fees, and other government
fees.
Q: What happens if I'm not satisfied with how my dealer is handling
this?
A: First, check your warranty and see if there is an arbitration
clause for the handling of cars that may be deemed lemons. If so,
then arbitration is usually the first step. If you are not satisfied
with the results, then you may contact an attorney to litigate or
settle under the California Lemon Law.
Q: I have a leased vehicle, so what should I do?
A: In California, leased cars and vehicles are covered under the
same lemon law requirements as new cars.
Q: Are there lemon laws for used cars?
A: Yes, the California Lemon Law does apply to used cars as well
as new vehicles. In regard to used cars, the vehicle still has to
be covered under the manufacturer's warranty for the lemon law to
apply.
Disclaimer: while the editors of this website try
to get all of the information factually correct, there may be mistakes
we have either overlooked or the legal codes may have changed. See
the official government websites listed for up to date information
and consult with a California Lemon Law attorney to discuss specific
options.
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