Beverly Hills Lemon Law Attorney
Owning or leasing a new vehicle is a major investment. When that vehicle turns out to be defective, it can disrupt your daily life, affect your finances, and put your safety at risk.
California’s lemon law gives you the right to pursue relief if your car has ongoing warranty-backed problems that the manufacturer cannot fix. If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, Lemon Law Help can help you seek a refund, replacement, or cash settlement in addition to civil penalties. With a proven record across California, our Beverly Hills lemon law attorneys fight to hold manufacturers accountable and get results.
On this Page
- What Is Lemon Law, and How Does It Protect Drivers in California?
- Signs That Your Vehicle May Qualify as a Lemon in Beverly Hills
- What Compensation Can Beverly Hills Drivers Receive?
- Types of Vehicles Covered in Beverly Hills Under California Lemon Law
- How Can Our Beverly Hills Lemon Law Lawyers Help With Your Case?
- Common Questions Beverly Hills Drivers Ask
- Let Our Beverly Hills Lemon Law Attorneys Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
What Is Lemon Law, and How Does It Protect Drivers in California?
California’s lemon law, formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, requires automakers to honor their warranties and provide relief when a vehicle has persistent defects. If your vehicle meets the state’s lemon law criteria, the manufacturer must either buy it back, replace it, or offer a fair settlement. To qualify, the defects must still exist after the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of chances to fix it.
The law applies differently depending on the type of vehicle. It covers nearly all new and leased vehicles, but used vehicles may only qualify if sold by a licensed dealership with the original manufacturer’s warranty.
As one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the nation, California’s lemon law gives drivers an advantage through its presumption rule. When a vehicle meets certain thresholds—such as two failed repairs for a safety issue, four failed repairs for another problem, or more than 30 days in the shop—the burden shifts to the manufacturer. Instead of the consumer proving the car is defective, the automaker must prove that it is not.
Signs That Your Vehicle May Qualify as a Lemon in Beverly Hills
A vehicle may qualify as a lemon if a serious defect continues after the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of chances to fix it. Under the lemon law presumption, this can mean two repairs for a serious safety issue, four failed repairs for another warranty-backed problem, or more than 30 non-consecutive days in the shop for a single warranty-backed issue. These problems must occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after purchase or lease, whichever comes first.
If you don’t meet those exact criteria, you may still have a valid claim. Common red flags indicating that a car may be a lemon include:
- Ongoing safety problems: Continued malfunctions in brakes, airbags, steering controls, or other systems that make the vehicle dangerous to operate
- Serious mechanical failures: Persistent engine stalls, transmission slips, overheating, or other problems that compromise performance and reliability
- Recurring smaller issues: Problems such as warning lights, faulty sensors, infotainment glitches, or electrical failures that keep coming back and reduce the vehicle’s value
- Comfort and convenience defects: Air conditioning failures, broken seat controls, or power window and lock issues that return despite repairs
- Excessive downtime: Extended or repeated repairs that leave your car out of service for weeks at a time
What Compensation Can Beverly Hills Drivers Receive?
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon in California, you may choose one of three compensation options:
- Vehicle buyback or refund: The manufacturer may repurchase the vehicle and reimburse you for any payments you made on it, minus any mileage costs. This option returns your investment and lets you walk away from the defective vehicle entirely.
- Replacement vehicle: You may receive a comparable new vehicle from the manufacturer at no additional cost, putting you in a working vehicle without adding to your expenses.
- Cash settlement: You may negotiate a cash payment to compensate for the defect while you keep the vehicle. This choice provides financial relief if you prefer to hold on to your vehicle despite the defect.
In addition, you may receive reimbursement for expenses tied to the defect, such as towing, rental car costs, or out-of-pocket repair-related fees. In some cases, you may also be eligible for civil penalties of up to two or three times the amount of your actual damages. California’s lemon law requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney’s fees, so all of your recovery goes directly to you.
Types of Vehicles Covered in Beverly Hills Under California Lemon Law
Most vehicles sold or leased in California under a manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty fall under lemon law protection. Covered vehicles may include:
- Cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs
- A motor home’s chassis, chassis cab, and drive train
- Dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators
- Vehicles under 10,000 pounds purchased or leased primarily for business use
- Vehicles purchased or leased for personal, family, or household purposes
- Certified pre-owned used vehicles
The law does not cover off-road vehicles, vehicles that have been abused, or vehicles bought in private sales without an original warranty. Vehicles with modifications may still qualify, but changes to the vehicle after purchase can complicate your claim.
How Can Our Beverly Hills Lemon Law Lawyers Help With Your Case?
Our work begins with a free case review, where we’ll assess your vehicle’s history and explain your options under California’s lemon law. From there, we’ll gather the documentation necessary to prove your claim, including repair records, warranty information, and manufacturer communications. We’ll then file a lemon law claim and negotiate with the automaker on your behalf—and you’ll pay us nothing out of pocket along the way.
Many lemon law firms focus on quick resolutions, but that speed often comes at the expense of real results. Too often, clients walk away with only a refund or replacement when the law allows for more. When you turn to our team, we’ll fight for the full range of remedies available to maximize your compensation, including civil penalties that can multiply your recovery.
While we often settle our clients’ cases out of court, we won’t hesitate to go to trial when the manufacturer continues to make unfair offers for your lemon vehicle. Our lemon law attorneys in Beverly Hills have stood up to major automakers in court, and we’re ready to do the same for you if that’s what it takes to secure a fair outcome.
Common Questions Beverly Hills Drivers Ask
Explore our answers to common questions from Beverly Hills drivers who have purchased a defective or dangerous vehicle.
How Long Does a Lemon Law Case Usually Take in Beverly Hills?
The average case at our firm resolves within 18 months to two years, though some finish sooner and others take longer. Rather than focusing on speed, we prioritize getting you the best possible result—and we don’t give up until we maximize your compensation.
Can I Transfer My Lemon Law Claim if I Sell or Trade the Vehicle?
California’s lemon law protects consumers who purchased or leased a defective vehicle, even if they no longer own it. This is true even if you received a trade-in credit for the vehicle. If you sold the vehicle in a private sale, you may still have the right to file a claim, but the buyer generally does not.
Do I Need To Notify the Dealership Before Filing a Claim?
You must give the manufacturer or dealer a reasonable chance to repair the defect. If you later decide to sue for a buyback or replacement, the law now requires you to send the manufacturer a written demand 30 days before filing. The automaker then has 30 days to reply and 60 days to refund you or replace the vehicle.
Are There Limits on How Much I Can Recover Under Lemon Law?
California’s lemon law does not cap the amount you can recover. Your compensation depends on how the defect has affected your vehicle’s safety, use, and value, along with the remedy available in your case.
Can I File a Lemon Law Claim for a Car Purchased Out of State But Registered in Beverly Hills?
Usually not. To qualify for a remedy under California’s lemon law, you must have purchased or leased your car in California. There is an exception for active service military members who currently live in California—those service members may qualify even if they purchased their vehicle in another state.
What Happens if the Manufacturer Refuses To Cooperate With a Lemon Law Claim?
If the manufacturer continues to make an unfair offer for your lemon vehicle, our lemon law lawyers in Beverly Hills can step in to negotiate. If negotiations fail, we’ll be prepared to take the case to court.
Let Our Beverly Hills Lemon Law Attorneys Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, don’t wait to take action. California law gives you the right to pursue relief, and Lemon Law Help is ready to guide you every step of the way. Contact us online or call 833-208-8181 to get a free consultation for your Beverly Hills lemon law case and start moving forward.
