California Lemon Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced California lemon law attorneys who can leverage the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.) — the most plaintiff-friendly lemon law in the country. Song-Beverly covers new and used vehicles still under warranty, allows up to a 2x civil penalty for willful violations, and shifts attorney fees to the manufacturer. We’ll match you with the right attorney at no cost to get started.

Under Song-Beverly (Civ. Code § 1793.22), a vehicle is presumed a lemon if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, the manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after a reasonable number of attempts — generally 4 attempts (or 2 for safety defects that could cause death/serious injury) — or the vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more cumulative days. The presumption is a floor, not a ceiling — California courts find vehicles to be lemons outside the presumption when warranted by the facts.

Yes — uniquely among major lemon laws. Song-Beverly covers used vehicles sold with an express written warranty, including manufacturer-certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. This makes California one of the strongest states for used-car claims.

Yes. Song-Beverly applies to leased vehicles. The lessee can recover lease payments, down payment, and residual obligations to the leasing company.

When a manufacturer willfully fails to comply with Song-Beverly, Civ. Code § 1794(c) allows the court to award the consumer up to two times the amount of actual damages as a civil penalty — on top of refund/replacement. “Willful” means the manufacturer knew its obligation and refused. This 2x civil penalty is unique to California and is the single biggest reason California lemon law is the most plaintiff-friendly in the country.

The consumer chooses. Civ. Code § 1793.2(d) gives the consumer the option of a refund of the full purchase price (less a reasonable use offset calculated under Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)(C)) or a comparable replacement vehicle.

The manufacturer. Civ. Code § 1794(d) requires the manufacturer to pay the prevailing consumer’s reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expenses — on top of the consumer’s recovery. The federal Magnuson-Moss Act also adds fee-shifting under 15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2). This is why nearly every California lemon law attorney takes cases on a no-fee-to-consumer basis.

AB 1755 (effective 2024) re-routed Song-Beverly claims and updated procedural requirements, including pre-litigation notice and discovery rules for many cases. The substantive rights — refund, replacement, civil penalty, fee-shifting — are preserved, but timing and process matter more than ever. An attorney familiar with the post-2024 framework is essential. VERIFY: confirm latest amendments before filing.

Why Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in California?

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civ. Code § 1790 to § 1795.8) is the strongest lemon law in the United States. It covers new and used vehicles sold with an express warranty, requires the manufacturer to refund or replace the vehicle after a reasonable number of repair attempts, and allows a civil penalty of up to two times actual damages when the manufacturer willfully fails to comply. The statutory presumption applies when the manufacturer cannot repair a defect after 4 attempts (or 2 attempts for safety defects), or the vehicle is out of service for 30 cumulative days, within 18 months or 18,000 miles. California also enacted significant reforms in 2023–2024 (AB 1755, SB 26) re-routing lemon cases and modifying procedural requirements. An experienced California lemon law attorney pursues the full Song-Beverly remedy stack — refund, civil penalty, and statutory attorney fees under Civ. Code § 1794(d).

When Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in California?

Our network includes California lemon law attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Lemon Law Cases in California

From the moment you connect with a California lemon law attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Not documenting every repair attempt with a dated dealer repair order (California courts strictly count documented attempts)

Letting a non-dealer shop perform warranty repairs — those attempts often won’t count toward the Song-Beverly presumption

Skipping participation in the manufacturer’s qualified third-party dispute resolution program if one is offered

Letting the vehicle’s express warranty expire while still negotiating informally

Accepting the manufacturer’s first buy-back without analyzing the Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)(C) use offset

Missing the 4-year UCC statute of limitations under Com. Code § 2725

Not documenting every repair attempt with a dated dealer repair order (California courts strictly count documented attempts)

Letting a non-dealer shop perform warranty repairs — those attempts often won’t count toward the Song-Beverly presumption

Skipping participation in the manufacturer’s qualified third-party dispute resolution program if one is offered

Letting the vehicle’s express warranty expire while still negotiating informally

Accepting the manufacturer’s first buy-back without analyzing the Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)(C) use offset

Missing the 4-year UCC statute of limitations under Com. Code § 2725

Common California Lemon Law Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do California Lemon Law Attorneys Cost?

Out of pocket — state law shifts your attorney fees to the wrongdoer. You keep your full recovery.

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civ. Code § 1794(d)) and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2)) are fee-shifting statutes — the manufacturer pays the prevailing consumer’s reasonable attorney fees on top of the recovery. California’s statute also allows up to a 2x civil penalty for willful violations. Almost every California lemon law attorney takes cases with no fee deducted from the consumer’s refund or replacement.

What Can Your California Lemon Law Compensation Include?

Full Refund

Full purchase price (taxes, registration, finance charges, dealer-installed options) less the statutory use offset calculated under Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)(C) based on miles at first repair attempt.

Comparable Replacement Vehicle

A new vehicle of comparable value, with manufacturer paying taxes, title, and registration. Civ. Code § 1793.2(d).

Cash & Keep Settlement

A negotiated cash payment with the consumer keeping the vehicle — common when defects are annoying but tolerable.

Civil Penalty (up to 2x Damages)

Civ. Code § 1794(c) — for willful violations, the court may award up to two times actual damages as a civil penalty. The signature California remedy.

Attorney Fees (Fee-Shifting)

Civ. Code § 1794(d) — manufacturer pays the prevailing consumer’s reasonable attorney fees and costs. 15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2) adds federal fee-shifting.

Incidental & Consequential Damages

Towing, rental, registration, taxes, finance charges, and other defect-caused costs under Civ. Code § 1794(b).

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

California Lemon Law Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in California?

When Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in California?

Types of Lemon Law Cases in California

Common California Lemon Law Mistakes

How Much Do California Lemon Law Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your California Lemon Law Compensation Include?

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