A "lemon" is a car that fails to meet quality and performance standards. Lemon laws vary from state to state, but generally protect buyers who have purchased vehicles that fail to perform properly and are unable to be repaired.

What It Is

California's lemon law is officially called the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. The law provides coverage for new vehicles and used vehicles that were sold with an express written warranty.

Protection For New Vehicles

New vehicles that are bought or leased are covered by California's lemon law after authorized dealers are unable to repair or service the vehicle after a "reasonable number" of attempts to repair the vehicle.

Protection for Used Vehicles

Used vehicles that were purchased with an express written warranty are also covered if the company issuing the warranty is not able to repair the damage after a "reasonable number" of tries to do so.

Benefits

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act states that if a covered vehicle is not able to be repaired after a "reasonable number" of tries, the manufacturer must either refund the purchase price or replace the vehicle.

Considerations

Documentation of the defect and attempts to have the problem repaired are needed to substantiate your claim. The law also covers recreational vehicles and motorcycles. If you have any questions or need further details, an attorney may provide clarification on the law.

Source:

State of California, Office of the Attorney General: Lemon Law

The Bickel Law Firm: Lemon Law Frequently Asked Questions

LemonLawRights.com: California Lemon Law