Chevrolet Lemon Law: What You Need To Know
Few things are more frustrating than buying a new vehicle that keeps breaking down. If your Chevy has repeated issues, California’s lemon law may entitle you to a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.
Our Chevrolet lemon law team is here to walk you through the process and, if you decide to go forward, pursue fair compensation at no cost to you. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and do the work while you focus on moving forward.
Why Work With Lemon Law Help for Your Chevrolet Lemon Law Claim?
Our team fights for every remedy the law allows, including a civil penalty of up to two times your actual damages when the manufacturer’s violation was willful.
Here’s what else you gain when you work with us:
- Extensive California lemon law experience: We’ve been serving California car owners and lessees since 2006, helping over 10,000 clients across the state pursue claims against major automakers.
- Proven results in Chevrolet cases: Our attorneys have secured numerous six-figure case results against General Motors for defective Chevy vehicles.
- Trial-tested advocacy: We’ve taken lemon law cases to trial and have successfully appealed cases before the state Supreme Court.
- Client-focused service: We put our clients’ needs first, providing clear communication and personal attention from start to finish.
- No cost to you: If you decide to go forward, our representation comes at no cost to you.
Top 8 Chevrolet Lemon Issues
A Chevy that shows the same problem after every repair may qualify under the lemon law. Check yours against the signs below.
Chevrolet makes several models, including the Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Traverse, and Chevy Bolt, and it built the Chevy Malibu through the 2025 model year. Chevrolet owners and lessees should look out for the following signs:
- The “Chevy Shake”
- Excessive oil consumption
- Sudden jerking or hesitation while driving
- Transmission failure or rough gear engagement
- Illuminated check engine light
- Hard or erratic shifting between gears
- Fluid leaks (motor oil, steering fluid, coolant, or transmission fluid)
- Unexpected or sudden deceleration
GM has recalled certain 2020–2022 Silverado diesel trucks and 2021–2022 Tahoe and Suburban models because a transmission control valve can fail and lock up the rear wheels. Dealers install new transmission software at no cost to the owner.
GM also recalled certain 2021–2024 Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban models with the 6.2L V8 because connecting rod or crankshaft defects can lead to engine failure. As of October 2026, NHTSA is still investigating engine failures in trucks and SUVs that already had the recall repair, and in engines built after the recall period.
If these symptoms or other vehicle problems repeatedly appear, your Chevrolet may be a lemon. Chevrolet owners have also filed class actions against GM over 6.2L V8 engine failures, and the combined case has not been resolved. If your Chevy has shown these issues and your dealership or auto repair shop couldn’t fix them, consult a California Chevrolet lemon law attorney to discuss legal remedies from your auto manufacturer.
How the California Lemon Law Protects Chevrolet Owners
California’s lemon law applies to Chevrolet vehicles with a defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. The law may treat your vehicle as a lemon if it has a defect that substantially impairs its use, safety, or value, and the problem continues after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
The law includes what’s known as the lemon law presumption. If, in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury has been repaired two or more times, another defect has been repaired four or more times, or your Chevy has been in the shop for repairs more than 30 days in total, the law presumes GM had a reasonable number of chances to fix it. For the first two, you must also have notified GM directly at least once, and if GM told you in writing about its BBB AUTO LINE arbitration program, you have to try that program before you can rely on the presumption.
While the law gives you many rights, you also have some responsibilities as a consumer. Because GM has opted into the newer lemon law procedures under AB 1755, which cover at least vehicles sold through 2025, you must send GM a written notice with your name, VIN, and a short repair history, asking for a buyback or replacement, at least 30 days before suing for civil penalties. You must still have the vehicle when you send it.
If GM offers a buyback or replacement within 30 days of receiving your notice and completes it within 60 days, you can no longer seek civil penalties. If it does not, you may proceed with a lawsuit and seek civil penalties.
How Do I Know if My Chevy Qualifies as a Lemon?
If your Chevy keeps having the same problems no matter how many times you bring it in for repairs, it may legally be considered a lemon. California’s lemon law presumption makes it easier for consumers to prove their case when certain repair patterns appear early on. You may qualify if any of the following happen within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles:
- A defect covered under the manufacturer’s warranty that is likely to cause death or serious injury has been repaired two or more times, and you notified GM directly at least once.
- The same warranty-covered defect has been repaired four or more times, and you notified GM directly at least once.
- The vehicle has been out of service for warranty-covered repairs for more than 30 days in total, whether or not the days were in a row.
You don’t necessarily have to meet these criteria to have a valid claim. However, meeting them creates a presumption that GM had a reasonable number of chances to fix your vehicle, and GM then has to prove otherwise. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, contact our Chevrolet lemon law lawyers for a personalized case evaluation.
What To Do if Your Chevrolet Has Defects
If your Chevy vehicle continues to have problems, these actions can help you build a solid lemon law claim:
- Report defects promptly: Take your vehicle to a manufacturer-authorized repair shop as soon as an issue arises. If the repairs fail, keep returning to the shop each time the problem comes back, so every repair attempt is on record.
- Document repair attempts: Save all work orders and service reports showing what was done at each visit.
- Save receipts and invoices: Keep records of every expense tied to the defect, including rental car and towing costs.
- Keep a log of repair days: Track every day your vehicle is in the shop, even if they don’t occur back-to-back.
- Contact a Chevy lemon law attorney early: Our lawyers can explain your rights, monitor repair attempts, and be ready to take action when the time comes.
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Chevrolet Lemon?
You may pursue one of the following forms of relief if your Chevrolet meets California’s criteria for a lemon:
- Buyback or refund: The manufacturer may repurchase the car and return the amount you paid, minus a deduction for mileage. The mileage offset is based on how far you drove the vehicle before you first brought it in for repair of the problem, which may reduce your refund.
- Replacement vehicle: You may return the defective vehicle to the manufacturer and receive a new, substantially identical vehicle.
- Cash settlement: You may keep the vehicle and receive a negotiated cash payment from the manufacturer.
Your compensation may also include reimbursement for expenses you incurred due to the defect, such as rental car costs and towing fees. You may also be entitled to a civil penalty of up to two times your actual damages if GM’s failure to comply was willful.
We Can Help You Obtain a Chevrolet Lemon Law Buyback
If your Chevy is found to be a lemon, you may be eligible for one of several forms of relief, including a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement. You may also be eligible for a civil penalty of up to two times your actual damages if GM’s violation was willful.
Lemon Law Help is here to put this law to work for you and pursue the financial relief you deserve. Call us toll-free at 833-208-8181 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation and find out if your Chevrolet qualifies as a lemon.
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.
