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Los Angeles Lemon Law FAQ

Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., founding attorney · Updated October 2026

These are common questions from drivers across Los Angeles County, from Long Beach to Lancaster, whether you commute on the 405, the 110, or the 210 every day. Each answer links to a longer guide if you want more detail. Answers are general information about California law, not legal advice for your situation. For a review of your own vehicle, call our Westwood office.

What is the California lemon law?

It is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Civil Code sections 1790 to 1795.8. If a new vehicle has a warranty defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or its dealers cannot fix it after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must repurchase or replace it under section 1793.2(d)(2). It applies statewide, including Los Angeles County. See our California lemon law attorney home page for an overview.

How many repair attempts make a car a lemon?

There is no single number, but section 1793.22(b) creates a presumption if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, the same problem was repaired 4 or more times, a defect that could cause death or serious injury was repaired 2 or more times, or the car was out of service more than 30 days in total. Many cases qualify without meeting these exact numbers.

Do I need a lawyer, and what does it cost?

You are not required to hire one, but manufacturers have lawyers, and section 1794(d) lets a buyer who wins recover attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer. You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs. A buyer may also seek a civil penalty of up to two times actual damages if the manufacturer’s violation was willful, under section 1794(c).

Does lemon law cover used cars in Los Angeles?

Ordinary used cars bought with only the leftover factory warranty generally no longer qualify for the refund-or-replace remedy after Rodriguez v. FCA US (2024). Demonstrators and dealer-owned vehicles sold with a manufacturer’s new car warranty are still included, and we review certified pre-owned cars case by case. Read our used and CPO car guide.

Are leased cars covered?

Yes. Civil Code sections 1795.4 and 1793.2(d)(2)(D) give lessees the same rights as buyers. In a lease buyback, the manufacturer generally refunds what you paid under the lease, minus a mileage offset, and pays off the leasing company. Call before you turn in or buy out the car. See our leased car guide.

What do I get in a lemon law buyback?

Restitution generally includes the price paid or payable, collateral charges like sales tax, license, and registration fees, and incidental costs such as towing and rental cars you actually paid, minus a mileage offset. The manufacturer pays off your loan. Try our California lemon law calculator for an estimate.

How is the mileage offset calculated?

Under section 1793.2(d)(2)(C), the offset equals the price paid multiplied by the miles driven before you first took the car in for the problem, divided by 120,000. In our experience, it is measured from the first visit where you reported the problem, even if the dealer could not verify it then, once the defect is later confirmed.

Does a recall make my car a lemon?

Not by itself. But in our experience, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem before the recall, and days waiting at the dealer for recall parts count toward the 30-day out-of-service presumption. A recall with no available fix can support a buyback on its own. Check your VIN for recalls and call as soon as you get a notice.

My dealer said it could not duplicate the problem. Does that visit count?

It can. You gave the manufacturer a chance to repair the car, and a California appeals court has said that the manufacturer’s agents being unable to isolate the problem is not the consumer’s responsibility. Make sure every visit is on a repair order with your complaint written in, and bring videos or photos that show the problem. See when your LA dealer will not fix your car.

Do software updates count as repair attempts?

In our experience, a software update can count as a repair attempt, and the same update repeated 5 or 6 times without a fix does happen. This matters for EVs and newer vehicles. Make sure each update tied to your complaint is documented. Read our EV and hybrid guide and our Tesla guide.

What changed with AB 1755?

AB 1755 added procedures in Code of Civil Procedure sections 871.20 to 871.31 for manufacturers that elect to follow them. Filing deadlines also differ: claims against those manufacturers generally must be filed within one year after the express warranty expires and no more than six years after original delivery. Because the rules depend on the manufacturer’s election, we confirm it at the start. See what changed with AB 1755 in 2025.

Where is a Los Angeles lemon law case filed?

In Los Angeles County Superior Court, generally where you live or where you signed the contract. Many civil cases in the county are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., downtown, though the court decides where each case is assigned. Your attorney handles filing and service, so you do not need to go downtown to start a case. Most cases settle before trial, often after negotiation or mediation, and many never reach a lawsuit at all.

How long does a lemon law case take?

In our experience, typical recall-related cases resolve in about 1 to 3 months from the first call. That is not a promise, and cases that require litigation take longer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See our process and timeline guide.

Can a business vehicle qualify?

Yes, within limits. Section 1793.22(e)(2) covers a new vehicle used primarily for business if it has a gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds and the buyer has no more than five motor vehicles registered in California. That can include a contractor’s pickup or a small business’s delivery van in LA. Larger fleets and heavier trucks fall outside this definition, though other warranty rights may still apply.

What is the biggest mistake Los Angeles drivers make?

In our experience, it is waiting too long to take the car in. The offset starts at the first visit, and intermittent problems are easier to prove with an early record. Other mistakes: selling or trading in the car before calling a lawyer, using an independent shop for warranty problems, and not keeping repair orders. Learn how to start in how to file a lemon law claim in Los Angeles.

Still have questions? Visit our Los Angeles lemon law attorney page.

More Los Angeles lemon law guides

Get a free case review

If your car, truck, or SUV keeps going back to the dealer, call us for a free case review at 877-536-6620. Our office is at 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1010, in Westwood, and we help drivers across Los Angeles County in English and Spanish. You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many repair attempts make a car a lemon in California?

A presumption applies if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, the same problem was repaired 4 or more times, a serious safety defect 2 or more times, or the car was out of service more than 30 days. Many cases qualify without meeting these numbers.

What does a lemon law lawyer cost in Los Angeles?

You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Does lemon law cover used cars after Rodriguez v. FCA US?

Ordinary used cars with only the leftover factory warranty generally no longer qualify. Demonstrators and dealer-owned cars sold with a new car warranty still do, and we review CPO cars case by case.

Does a recall make my car a lemon?

Not by itself. In our experience, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, days waiting for recall parts count toward 30 days out of service, and a recall with no fix can support a buyback.

How is the mileage offset calculated?

The price paid is multiplied by the miles driven before your first repair visit for the problem, then divided by 120,000. That amount is subtracted from the refund.

Where are Los Angeles lemon law cases filed?

In Los Angeles County Superior Court. Many civil cases are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N. Hill St., though the court assigns each case.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.