CALIFORNIA SONG-BEVERLY CONSUMER WARRANTY ACT
California Lemon Law by Problem Type
Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., founding attorney · Updated March 2026
California’s lemon law covers virtually every type of recurring vehicle defect. Select your problem type below to learn whether your vehicle qualifies.
20
Problem Categories
$0
Out of Pocket
3,000+
Cases Won
⚙️
Transmission Defects
Slipping gears, rough shifting, failure to engage, shuddering — among the most common and costly lemon law defects.
Learn more →
🔧
Engine Defects
Stalling, misfires, overheating, oil leaks, and engine failure — persistent engine issues that cannot be fixed qualify under Song-Beverly.
Learn more →
🛑
Brake Defects
Grinding brakes, brake fade, ABS failure, and spongy pedals may qualify after just two failed repair attempts.
Learn more →
⚡
Electrical System Defects
Dead batteries, shorts, flickering lights, power window failures, and unreliable electronics are covered defects.
Learn more →
🔋
Battery & Charging Defects
EV battery degradation, charging failures, and range loss beyond normal wear qualify for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Learn more →
📱
Infotainment Defects
Frozen touchscreens, Bluetooth failures, navigation errors, and software crashes that cannot be fixed are valid lemon law defects.
Learn more →
❄️
AC & HVAC Defects
A/C that blows warm, heater failures, blower motor issues, and climate control malfunctions are qualifying defects.
Learn more →
🔩
Suspension Defects
Vibrations, clunking, excessive bounce, and uneven tire wear from suspension defects substantially impair use and safety.
Learn more →
🎯
Steering Defects
Pulling, wandering, stiff or loose steering, and unexpected steering failures are serious safety defects covered by California lemon law.
Learn more →
💥
Airbag & Safety System Defects
Airbag warning lights, non-deploying airbags, and faulty seatbelt pretensioners are critical safety defects.
Learn more →
⚠️
Powertrain Shutdown Defects
Unexpected power loss, limp mode, and engine or transmission shutdown while driving are dangerous qualifying defects.
Learn more →
🎨
Paint & Body Defects
Peeling paint, rust, panel gaps, and water leaks that impair the vehicle value and cannot be repaired qualify under Song-Beverly.
Learn more →
🚘
Door & Tailgate Defects
Doors that will not latch, power tailgates that fail, and window regulator problems affecting daily use qualify as covered defects.
Learn more →
🤖
Autopilot & ADAS Defects
Tesla Autopilot failures, phantom braking, lane-keep assist malfunctions, and adaptive cruise control defects are covered.
Learn more →
🌿
Hybrid System Defects
Hybrid battery degradation, regenerative braking failures, and hybrid mode switching problems are covered under California lemon law.
Learn more →
🛡️
Frame & Structural Defects
Frame cracks, structural misalignment, and body integrity defects that compromise safety or vehicle value qualify.
Learn more →
⛽
Fuel System Defects
Fuel leaks, pump failures, injector problems, and fuel gauge inaccuracies that impair use or safety are covered defects.
Learn more →
💨
Emissions Defects
Failed emissions components, check engine lights tied to emissions systems, and catalytic converter failures qualify.
Learn more →
🪢
Seatbelt Defects
Faulty seatbelt pretensioners, retractors that will not latch, and seatbelt warning system failures are critical safety defects.
Learn more →
Not Sure If Your Problem Qualifies?
Our attorneys evaluate every case for free. Under California Civil Code § 1794(d), if you win, the manufacturer pays all attorney fees.