A vehicle that repeatedly returns to the repair shop can cost you more than time and money. Persistent engine trouble, unpredictable braking, electrical failures, or recurring transmission problems can interfere with your daily routine and raise serious safety concerns. If the manufacturer has been unable to resolve a substantial defect covered by warranty, you may have options under California’s Lemon Law.
At The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings, we help consumers understand their legal options when a defective vehicle fails to meet warranty requirements. As a Beverly Hills lemon law attorney resource for drivers dealing with unresolved vehicle defects, we can review the circumstances of your case, explain the applicable law, and help you understand the steps involved in pursuing a claim. Whether you purchased or leased a vehicle, the first step is determining which protections apply to your situation. Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your concerns.
When a manufacturer disputes a warranty claim, knowing your rights can make a difference. Manufacturers and their legal teams handle warranty disputes regularly, while most consumers have little experience navigating the process. An attorney can help organize the evidence, evaluate the manufacturer’s position, and identify potential remedies under California law.
Our approach starts with the facts of your case: the vehicle’s purchase or lease documents, warranty coverage, repair history, and communications with the dealership or manufacturer. We explain the relevant legal requirements and discuss a practical course of action based on your circumstances.
Choosing a lemon law firm Beverly Hills consumers can contact for legal guidance should involve more than a promise of a particular result. Look for clear communication, a transparent explanation of the fee arrangement, and a legal strategy tailored to your vehicle and the defect at issue.
California’s Lemon Law primarily refers to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which establishes protections for consumers when warranted products fail to conform to applicable warranties. Its vehicle provisions can require a manufacturer to repurchase or replace a qualifying vehicle when the legal conditions are met and a reasonable number of repair attempts have not resolved the problem.
The law does not make every mechanical issue a lemon law case. The nature and severity of the defect, the applicable warranty, the repair history, and the manufacturer’s opportunity to fix the problem all matter.
California’s separate Tanner Consumer Protection Act provisions are also relevant to certain vehicle warranty situations. The legal analysis depends on the vehicle and the facts, so it is important to evaluate the specific circumstances rather than rely on a single rule of thumb.
California law does not establish one universal number of repair attempts that automatically qualifies every vehicle as a lemon. Instead, eligibility generally depends on whether a qualifying defect substantially affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety and whether the manufacturer has had a reasonable opportunity to repair it under the applicable warranty.
The following circumstances may support a claim:
California law also provides a rebuttable presumption for certain new vehicles when specified conditions are met within the first 18 months after delivery or 18,000 miles of use, whichever comes first. These conditions include four or more repair attempts for the same nonconformity, two or more attempts for a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or more than 30 cumulative calendar days out of service for qualifying repairs. Other requirements apply, and a vehicle may qualify even when the presumption does not.
A lemon law lawyer in Beverly Hills can review your repair orders, warranty information, and vehicle history to help determine whether you may have a viable claim.
Every case has its own details, but a claim commonly involves several stages.
When a vehicle qualifies under the applicable law, potential remedies may include a manufacturer repurchase or replacement. The precise remedy and amount depend on the vehicle, warranty, transaction documents, and circumstances of the claim.
California law contains provisions addressing attorney’s fees and costs in qualifying successful claims. However, the exact fee arrangement and any applicable procedural requirements should be reviewed with an attorney before you proceed.
California enacted SB 26 in 2025, introducing additional procedures for certain actions seeking restitution or replacement of a motor vehicle. Under the applicable provisions, a consumer may need to provide written notice to the manufacturer before pursuing particular remedies, and the law establishes timelines and requirements concerning the manufacturer’s response and the consumer’s possession of the vehicle.
These rules can affect how a claim should be prepared and when it should be filed. They do not mean every lemon law claim follows the same procedure, and other remedies may be governed by different rules.
Before sending a demand, selling your vehicle, or accepting a manufacturer’s offer, consider getting legal advice about the procedure that applies to your particular claim.
A defective vehicle and a vehicle accident can involve different legal issues. If a malfunction contributed to a collision or injury, you may need to consider both a potential product or warranty claim and a separate personal injury claim.
A personal injury lawyer can evaluate questions involving negligence, causation, liability, and compensation for injuries. A lemon law claim, by contrast, generally focuses on warranty nonconformities and the remedies available under consumer protection law.
The two types of claims are not interchangeable, and whether they can be pursued together depends on the facts and applicable law. If you believe a vehicle defect contributed to an accident, preserve relevant records, photographs, repair documents, and other available evidence.
Learn more about our automobile and truck accident legal services or contact The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings to discuss which legal issues may apply to your situation.
Repeated vehicle repairs can leave you uncertain about your next step. You may be wondering whether the manufacturer has fulfilled its warranty obligations, whether your vehicle qualifies for a buyback, or what to do after a claim has been denied.
The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings can help you understand your options and the legal considerations involved in pursuing a claim. We can review the circumstances you describe, discuss the documentation that may be relevant, and explain the next steps.
If you are looking for a Beverly Hills lemon law attorney, contact our office to request a free consultation. We will discuss your situation and explain the available options based on the information you provide. Any representation, fee arrangement, and potential outcome will depend on the details of your case.
If you’re thinking about working with a lawyer, it’s important that you find the right one.
