The California Lemon Law Qualification Checklist: Score Your Case

Question One: Was There an Active Manufacturer Warranty?

If your defect appeared while an active manufacturer warranty was in effect, whether the vehicle was new, leased, or used with a warranty still active, mark this as a yes. Vehicles sold entirely "as-is" with no manufacturer warranty generally don't clear this bar.

Question Two: Does the Defect Meaningfully Affect Use, Value, or Safety?

Recurring mechanical failures, persistent electrical issues, and safety-related problems like brake or steering defects count as a clear yes. A single minor cosmetic issue that doesn't affect performance or safety typically doesn't, on its own.

Question Three: How Many Documented Repair Attempts Do You Have?

Count every visit, including ones logged as "no problem found" or "unable to duplicate." Two or more attempts for a safety-related defect, or four or more for another substantial defect, strengthens your case significantly, especially within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles.

Question Four: Has the Vehicle Been Out of Service for More Than 30 Cumulative Days?

If your vehicle has spent more than 30 total days in the shop for warranty repairs within that same early window, that's an independent factor that can support a presumption under the Tanner Act, separate from the repair-attempt count.

Question Five: Do You Know Your Manufacturer's Statute of Limitations Track?

Since 2025, manufacturers can opt into a framework with a one-year-after-warranty-expiration deadline capped at six years from delivery, or remain under the traditional four-year discovery-based rule. If you don't know which applies to your manufacturer, mark this as a gap to fill before moving forward, not as a disqualifier.

Question Six: Are You Still Within That Deadline?

Once you know your track, confirm you're still within the applicable window. A strong case on every other factor doesn't matter if the filing deadline has already passed.

Question Seven: If You Have Multiple Defects, Have You Separated Them?

Each distinct, unrelated defect can carry its own timeline and its own qualification analysis. Treating them as one blended case can understate how strong your claim actually is on the issue that qualifies most clearly.

Scoring Your Case

If you answered yes to Questions One and Two, and have at least two documented repair attempts noted in Question Three, your case likely has a solid foundation. If you're unsure about Questions Five or Six, that uncertainty is common and exactly the kind of gap worth resolving with an attorney before assuming anything about your timeline.

What a "No" on Any Single Question Actually Means

A no on one factor doesn't automatically disqualify your case. A vehicle outside the 18-month presumption window can still qualify with strong documentation. A used vehicle without a currently active factory warranty might still have coverage through a certified pre-owned program. Treat this checklist as a starting point for a real conversation, not a final verdict.

The Full Self-Assessment Checklist

• Active manufacturer warranty in effect when the defect appeared
• Defect substantially affects use, value, or safety
• Two or more documented repair attempts, including "no problem found" visits
• More than 30 cumulative days out of service, if applicable
• Confirmed statute of limitations track for your specific manufacturer
• Confirmed you're still within that deadline
• Each distinct defect evaluated on its own timeline

Turn Your Self-Assessment Into a Real Answer

A checklist can point you in the right direction, but only a review of your actual documentation can confirm where you stand.

Reach out today. The clearer your timeline, the stronger your position.

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