If that's where you are, this guide walks through what the law actually covers, what changed recently, and what your realistic options look like from here.
The Foundation: The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
California's lemon law isn't a single statute with one catchy name. It's built primarily on the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which requires manufacturers to repair defects covered by a warranty within a reasonable number of attempts. If they can't, the law entitles you to a refund of essentially what you paid, minus a mileage-based offset for your use of the vehicle, or a comparable replacement vehicle.
This is widely considered one of the strongest consumer protection laws of its kind in the country, largely because the manufacturer, not you, is required to give up something when it fails to deliver a working vehicle.
What Kinds of Defects Count
Not every rattle or minor inconvenience qualifies. The defect has to be "substantial" — meaning it affects the vehicle's use, value, or safety in a meaningful way. Persistent transmission problems, recurring electrical failures, brake issues, and engine defects are common qualifying examples. A one-time cosmetic flaw generally isn't.
The Tanner Act Presumption Window
Alongside Song-Beverly, the Tanner Consumer Protection Act creates a presumption that a vehicle is a lemon if certain conditions happen within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first — for example, two or more repair attempts for a safety-related defect, four or more attempts for other substantial defects, or more than 30 cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs. Falling outside this window doesn't disqualify you. It simply means you'll need to establish your case without the automatic presumption.
What Changed Recently: AB 1755 and SB 26
In 2025, California added a new layer to the process. Manufacturers can now "opt in" to a revised framework under AB 1755 and SB 26, which changes their filing deadline to one year after the express warranty expires (capped at six years from delivery), and requires a mandatory 30-day written pre-suit notice before a lawsuit seeking civil penalties can move forward. Manufacturers who haven't opted in remain under the traditional four-year statute of limitations. Knowing which track applies to your manufacturer changes how you should approach your timeline.
New, Used, and Leased Vehicles
Lemon law protection isn't limited to brand-new purchases. Leased vehicles are generally covered on the same terms as purchased ones, and used or certified pre-owned vehicles are covered as long as an active manufacturer warranty applied when the defect appeared. That said, some manufacturers have narrowed used-vehicle coverage in recent years, so the specific warranty documentation matters more than it once did.
What You Can Actually Recover
A successful claim can result in a full repurchase of the vehicle, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement reflecting the vehicle's diminished value and your out-of-pocket costs. Because Song-Beverly includes a fee-shifting provision, the manufacturer, not you, is generally responsible for covering reasonable attorney's fees and costs when you prevail, which is why most lemon law representation is offered without upfront cost to the client.
Getting Started: A Practical Checklist
- Keep every repair order, including visits where no problem was found or duplicated
- Note the dates and mileage for each visit alongside the reported symptoms
- Confirm whether your vehicle's manufacturer has opted into the new AB 1755 framework
- Don't assume a used or leased vehicle is automatically excluded
- Track each distinct defect separately if your vehicle has more than one issue
- Get a free timeline and case assessment before assuming you're out of options
Why So Many Drivers Wait Too Long
Manufacturers have specialized legal teams built around these exact rules. Most consumers only encounter them once, when their own vehicle is on the line, and by then the fine print has already worked against them more than once. The pattern The Blueprint Law Group sees most often is drivers who had a strong claim but under-documented it, misjudged their deadline, or trusted an informal dealership process instead of getting independent legal advice early.
Find Out Where You Stand
You don't need to already understand every provision of Song-Beverly, Tanner, or AB 1755 to get a straight answer about your car. At The Blueprint Law Group, we offer free consultations to walk through your repair history, your timeline, and your realistic options.
Reach out today. The clearer your timeline, the stronger your position.
Visit us at theblueprintlawgroup.com
Straight answers.
What does it cost to hire you for a lemon law claim?
Nothing upfront. We don't charge hourly rates or retainers for lemon law cases. Because the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act includes a fee-shifting provision, the manufacturer generally becomes responsible for reasonable attorney's fees once you prevail.
What can I recover?
Depending on your case, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a replacement vehicle, a refund, or compensation.
How many repair attempts do I need?
A reasonable number. Under the Song-Beverly Act's presumption, within 18 months or 18,000 miles that generally means four or more attempts at the same defect, more than 30 days out of service, or two or more attempts at a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Outside that window you may still have a claim. We review your repair orders for free.
Is there a deadline to file?
Yes — and California's time limits recently changed. Read what AB 1755 means for your deadline, or ask us to check yours.