The California Lemon Law protects California consumers who purchase or lease vehicles (new or used) that turn out to have manufacturing defects. However, not all vehicles are protected under the California Lemon Law. So what vehicles does the lemon law protect?
The California Lemon Law applies to motor vehicles that are bought or leased from an authorized dealership in California. This includes cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles and some other types of vehicles. Generally, the vehicles have to be set aside for personal, family or household purposes.
The California Lemon Law does not protect all vehicles. It does not protect vehicles purchased from private sales or auctions, off-road vehicles, or vehicles bought outside of California. However, exceptions are made for certain vehicles set aside for business use, and for vehicles owned by active duty members of the Armed Forces.
Business vehicles are protected by the California Lemon Law only if the business has no more than five vehicles registered in California and the vehicle does not have a curb weight more than 10,000 pounds. Vehicles purchased out of state may be protected only if the owner served in the Armed Forces and was stationed in California at the time of filing the claim.
A common question is “Does the California Lemon Law protect used vehicles?” It’s worth noting that the Lemon Law applies to both new and used vehicles, although the requirements for used vehicles are slightly different. For example, a used vehicle may be covered under the Lemon Law if it is still under the original manufacturer’s warranty or if the defect occurred within a certain time period after the purchase.
If you’re not sure whether your vehicle is covered under the California Lemon Law, it’s important to consult with an experienced Lemon Law attorney who can help you understand your rights and options. Our team of legal experts is here to help you navigate the complex world of Lemon Law and get the compensation you deserve.
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.
