Understanding the Changes to California Lemon Law

California’s Lemon Law provides important protections for those who purchase a defective vehicle in the state. It ensures that the purchaser will receive either a refund or replacement if the car presents persistent and unfixable issues shortly after ownership. The state’s Lemon Law is constantly evolving, with new updates for 2025 strengthening consumer rights. Understanding the changes to California’s Lemon Law is essential for anyone looking to buy a car this year.

With the passing of Assembly Bill No. 1755 (AB 1755), new provisions have taken place in 2025. Here is a breakdown of what has changed and what it means for you as a consumer.

New Time Limits for Filing a Claim

In California, lemon law claims have surged, with filings increasing from nearly 15,000 in 2022 to over 22,000 in 2023. AB 1755 introduces stricter time limits for filing California Lemon Law claims. This is an effort to reduce how many weak Lemon Law cases advance to court and slow down the system. Under these updated laws:

• You must file a claim within one year after the expiration of a vehicle’s applicable express warranty. If a vehicle’s warranty expires on January 1, 2025, you have until January 1, 2026, to file your Lemon Law claim. If you wait beyond this period, you risk forfeiting your right to seek compensation or a replacement vehicle.
• No claim can be brought more than six years after the vehicle’s original delivery date, regardless of when the warranty expires. Even if the warranty is still active, this provision prevents you from proceeding if you miss the six-year mark.
• Certain provisions apply, such as when the vehicle is out of service for repairs. For example, if your vehicle is in the shop being worked on for an extended period, the time it spends there may not count toward this six-year deadline. It’s important to secure documentation from your mechanic to avoid anyone claiming you missed the deadline.

Pre-Litigation Notice and Mediation Requirements

There are some existing pre-litigation and mediation requirements. Starting April 1, 2025, before filing for civil penalties under California Lemon Law, consumers must:

• Provide a written notice to the manufacturer with all relevant claim details, such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle in question, repair history, and what type of solution you are seeking, such as restitution or replacement.
• Wait for the manufacturer’s response before moving forward with a lawsuit. If the manufacturer responds within 30 days and completes the transaction within 60, you will not be able to move forward with civil penalties.
• Engage in mandatory mediation sessions before proceeding with litigation, if the manufacturer misses these deadlines. All discovery processes will be paused until the mediation sessions are complete.

Stronger Consumer Protections and Manufacturer Responsibilities

The updates to California’s Lemon Law in 2025 also impose obligations on manufacturers to act promptly and fairly. This includes:

• Sanctions for noncompliance. Any vehicle manufacturer who fails to meet the new legal requirements risks facing financial penalties. For example, if a manufacturer delays the return and restitution process after agreeing to either replace or buy the vehicle back, they will incur a fine of $50 each day until they stick to their word. These fines are designed to discourage any act of purposely stalling.
• An expedited settlement process. Under the revised laws, once a manufacturer agrees to buy a vehicle back or replace it, they must issue these payments within one business day after the consumer has returned the vehicle. This can include attorney fees, vehicle payoff amounts, and any other civil penalties issued.
• Standardized settlement agreements. To further protect those buying a vehicle in California, AB 1755 has introduced a Standardized SBA release to govern these settlements. It establishes clear settlement terms in an attempt to reduce disputes over legal language and prevent car manufacturers from imposing unfair conditions. This helps both parties better understand their rights and obligations in the case.

FAQs

Q: How Does the California Lemon Law Work?

A: California’s Lemon Law provides reassurance that if you buy a vehicle in the state and shortly after discover it has significant issues, you are protected under the law to not be financially burdened by this experience. When you bring this to the manufacturer’s attention, if they cannot fix the defect after a number of repair attempts, the law requires them to either replace or refund you for the vehicle.

Q: What Is the Mileage Limit for the Lemon Law in California?

A: California does not have a set mileage limit to enact your rights under Lemon Law. Rather, the vehicle must still be covered by the manufacturer’s express warranty when the defect occurs. It’s important to connect with an attorney even if the defect occurs after the warranty has expired. You may still have a claim to file as long as it is within one year after the warranty expires but no later than six years from purchasing.

Q: Can I File a Lemon Law Claim if My Car Has Been in the Shop Multiple Times But Is Still Drivable?

A: Yes, you may still qualify for a Lemon Law claim even if your car is drivable. The law considers whether the vehicle’s defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, safety, or value. If you’ve taken the car to the autobody shop multiple times for the same issue and it cannot be repaired, you could be entitled to either a refund or replacement. Keep a detailed record of all repair attempts to support your case if it goes to trial.

Q: What Happens if the Manufacturer Refuses to Buy Back My Car?

A: If you believe you purchased a lemon and the manufacturer is refusing to repurchase or replace your vehicle, you will need to connect with a lemon lawyer in California to escalate your claim. Under California law, consumers must provide a written notice to the manufacturer and allow them time to respond before pursuing legal action. If they still are uncooperative, you can proceed with legal options.

Contact Lemon Law Pro Today

If you have recently purchased a defective vehicle and would like to know more about your options under California’s Lemon Law, contact our firm today. We serve clients statewide in this legal matter and have all the updated information you need on what has changed . Not only is our consultation free, but we don’t charge any attorney fees.