California Lemon Law News + Info

Besides a vehicle repurchase or replacement, what other forms of compensation can I receive under the California Lemon Law?

If your vehicle is found to be a lemon under the California Lemon Law, you may be entitled to a repurchase or a replacement vehicle… plus some other forms of compensation. In some cases, you may get these forms of compensation in lieu of a vehicle replacement or a lemon law buyback.

Here are the other forms of compensation you might get under the California Lemon Law:

  • Cash and Keep Settlement: You may receive a cash-and-keep settlement instead of a repurchase or a replacement vehicle, depending on your situation. A cash and keep allows you to keep the vehicle and receive a cash settlement.
  • Out Of Pocket Expenses: If you paid for repairs out of pocket, paid fees for rental cars or paid for towing, the auto manufacturer may be required to reimburse you for those expenses.
  • Civil Penalty: If an auto manufacturer was found to have willfully failed to comply with the California Lemon Law, the auto manufacturer may have to pay a penalty up to twice the amount of actual damages.
    Attorney’s Fees and Costs: If you pursue a lemon law claim and win, the auto manufacturer will have to pay your attorney’s fees and costs.

Some of these forms of compensation are in addition to the vehicle repurchase or replacement under the California Lemon Law. However, the cash and keep settlement may arise in different circumstances.

If you think your vehicle may be a lemon, get a consultation with a lemon law attorney. If you are worried about the cost of a consultation, don’t worry. Lemon law consultations are free. During the consultation, you may be asked about your vehicle problems, repair history and any communications you’ve had with the auto manufacturer. You, in turn, can ask any questions you have about your lemon law rights.


Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2017–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guides on the California Lemon Law and Used Car Lemon Law for more information.

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