Ford Lemon Law Attorneys in California
If your Ford has repeated problems that won’t go away, we can help.
If your Ford is defective, you may be legally entitled to a replacement vehicle, buyback, or compensation through a California lemon law claim. The experienced Ford lemon law lawyers with Lemon Law Help are ready to review your case and explain your options. Contact us online or call 833-208-8181 today.
Why Work With Our Ford Lemon Law Lawyers?
Our skilled attorneys have been serving California residents for over 15 years. Since 2006, we’ve helped over 10,000 consumers get relief after purchasing a lemon. Our team’s many accolades include:
- Deep experience with the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, known as the California Lemon Law
- Past results against Ford and other major manufacturers
- Personalized, client-focused service available in English, Spanish, and other languages
- Remote consultations available
- Ready and willing to take your case all the way to trial
- Representation at no cost to you if you go forward with your case
Lemon Law Help puts quality outcomes ahead of a quick resolution. When Ford’s violation was willful, we also pursue civil penalties, which can add up to twice your actual damages. Contact us today to learn more about your Ford lemon law claim.
How Do You Know If Your Ford Is A Lemon?
The California Lemon Law allows you to receive compensation if you buy a defective vehicle from a manufacturer like Ford that is still under warranty. The law presumes Ford got enough repair tries if, during the first 18 months after delivery or the first 18,000 miles, whichever ends sooner, one or more of these is true:
- Ford or its dealers worked on the same problem four or more times, and you told Ford about it directly at least once
- The same defect, one likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, went in for repair twice or more, and you told Ford about it directly at least once
- You’ve lost access to your car for more than 30 total days as a result of your repair attempts
Ford takes part in BBB AUTO LINE, a state-certified arbitration program. If Ford told you about it in writing in time, you may need to try it before you rely on these presumptions.
Even if your Ford doesn’t meet the presumption criteria, you can still have a valid claim in some circumstances. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal options.
Common Ford Lemon Defects
Some issues that tend to appear in Ford lemon law claims include:
- Engine problems
- Defective brakes or braking systems
- Malfunctioning electrical systems
- Defective airbags
- Leaking fluids
- Issues with power steering
- Faulty AC or heating systems
- Backup camera defects
In March 2026, Ford recalled about 1.7 million certain Explorer, Escape, Bronco, Edge, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles built for model years 2020 to 2026, because the rearview camera image may flip or fail to appear. Dealers update the camera software, and owners pay nothing for it. In October 2026, NHTSA opened a review of frozen rearview camera images on some 2022 to 2024 Ford Maverick trucks that already had a camera recall repair.
Ford Transmission Issues
Ford has recalled several newer models for transmission problems, including the F-150, Ranger, Mustang, Bronco, Explorer, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln Aviator.
In June 2026, Ford recalled about 741,000 vehicles, including the 2020 and 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, because the park pawl, the part that locks the transmission in Park, can engage while the vehicle is moving. The recall also covers some 2020 and 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models and certain 2021 F-150 trucks, and a wrench light on the dash can be the warning sign. Ford expects the fix to be ready in spring 2027.
Ford transmission problems may include:
- Wrench light is on
- A clunking or banging noise when starting the engine
- Jerking or lunging
- Slipping or bucking
- Rough, harsh, or erratic shifting
- Hesitation between gears
- Gear getting stuck
- Delayed downshifting
- Sudden or delayed acceleration
- Transmission failure
Ford Death Wobble
The Ford “Death Wobble” is a violent steering shake in F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks. Ford has told dealers that some 2020 and 2021 Super Duty trucks may show excessive steering oscillation. Its repair steps include checking the steering linkage joints and, on four-wheel-drive trucks, replacing the steering damper.
Separately, in September 2025 Ford recalled about 115,000 F-250, F-350 and F-450 trucks from the 2020 and 2021 model years, because the upper steering shaft may detach and cause a loss of steering control.
If your Ford vehicle suffers from the “Death Wobble,” you may meet the standards for a Ford lemon law buyback.
What To Do if Your Ford Has Defects
If you notice a potentially significant defect shortly after getting a Ford, getting ahead of the issue can help you build a successful lemon law claim later. Steps to take if you have a possible Ford lemon include:
- Document your repair attempts, including when, where, and how many you’ve had.
- Save any relevant receipts and invoices, as well as information and documents regarding the vehicle’s warranty.
- Give Ford a “reasonable number” of repair attempts under the California Lemon Law. During the 18-month, 18,000-mile period above, the law presumes this after two repair visits for one safety defect that could lead to death or serious injury, four tries on the same problem, or over 30 days off the road. Ford can still try to rebut that presumption.
- Contact an experienced California lemon law attorney early, so you know your options and your deadlines.
How a Ford Lemon Law Buyback Can Help You
The California lemon law entitles you to a replacement vehicle or a buyback, your choice, if Ford cannot fix a warranty defect in your vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts. After a repurchase, Ford must brand the vehicle as a “lemon law buyback” on its title to disclose its status to any future buyers.
A Ford lemon law buyback will cover what you paid and what you still owe on the vehicle, including your down payment, monthly payments, and taxes and fees associated with the purchase. Because Ford opted in to California’s 2025 lemon law procedures, Ford can deduct negative equity from a trade-in and add-ons you bought from outside companies. A “mileage offset” may also be deducted for the miles you drove before you first took the vehicle in for the problem, so the sooner you act, the more Ford may owe you.
If you win your case, Ford must pay your reasonable attorney fees and costs, and it may also owe the costs of your repair attempts. If Ford’s failure to comply was willful, a civil penalty of up to twice your actual damages may also be available. Under those procedures, you must first write to Ford, while the vehicle is still in your hands, and ask it to buy back or replace it, then wait 30 days before you sue for that penalty, and no penalty is owed if Ford offers one within 30 days and completes it within 60.
Talk To Our Ford Lemon Law Attorneys
If your Ford continues to have problems that cannot be fixed, you may still qualify for relief under California’s lemon law. Ford opted in to California’s 2025 lemon law procedures, so a Ford claim generally has a deadline of one year from the end of the warranty, and six years from delivery at the latest.
Time your Ford spends in the shop for repairs can pause that clock. Speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Lemon Law Help has a proven track record of winning compensation for Ford lemon law claims in California. Our experienced attorneys can review your Ford lemon law claim and explain your options, including civil penalties when the law allows them.
If you go forward with a Ford lemon law case, we represent you at no cost while you seek cash compensation, a replacement or a buyback. Contact us online or call 833-208-8181 today.
Lemon Law Help works only in California. We help California residents who bought or leased a defective model year 2020 or newer vehicle from a licensed California dealer. We cannot help people outside California, unless they are active-duty military.
