California Lemon Law: Repair Attempt Limits, Coverage Period & Remedies
Your California lemon law rights at a glance — repair limits, coverage period, and how to get a refund or replacement.
California Lemon Law at a Glance
| Repair Attempt Limit | 4 attempts (or 2 for a serious safety defect) |
|---|---|
| Out of Service Limit | 30 days (or 40 days total, including repair time) |
| Coverage Period | 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery |
| Remedies | Refund or replacement vehicle |
| Eligible Vehicles | New vehicles and demos |
| Key Statute | Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civ. Code §1790+) |
How California Lemon Law Works
California's Song-Beverly Act is one of the strongest lemon laws. After a reasonable number of repair attempts the manufacturer must refund or replace. Mandatory arbitration clauses are not always enforceable for lemon-law claims. This is a real, widely cited statute — but always re-confirm current figures with the California Attorney General.
Figures above are a general reference framework for California. Lemon law thresholds differ by state and can change. Confirm current numbers with the California Attorney General consumer protection office or the state DMV before relying on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a "lemon" in California?
In California, a vehicle generally qualifies if the same defect persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts (or it has been out of service for a cumulative period) within the coverage window, and the defect substantially impairs use, value, or safety.
What remedy can I get under the California lemon law?
If your vehicle qualifies, California lemon law typically entitles you to a refund of the purchase price (minus a mileage offset in some states) or a comparable replacement vehicle. Confirm the exact remedy with the state consumer protection office.