If you bought or leased a vehicle that turns out to have a defect, you might wonder how long you have to wait before filing a lemon law claim in California. However, you instead ask how long you have to file a lemon law claim. Why? Time is of the essence, and filing a claim under the California Lemon Law is not something that you want to put off.
That being said, an owner or lessee of a potential lemon may ask if they qualify under the California Lemon Law yet. The reason for this is that the lemon law requires the owner or lessee to give the auto manufacturer a reasonable number of chances to fix the vehicle, but the number that is considered “reasonable” is not set in stone. That may leave a vehicle owner or lessee wondering if they hit the “reasonable” benchmark yet.
Realistically, it’s determined on a case-by-case basis, which is why you should consult a lemon law attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Table of Contents
- When should I get a repair for my defective vehicle?
- How long does the auto manufacturer have to fix my vehicle?
- What if I don’t have a lot of repairs?
- How long do I have to file a lemon law claim?
When should I get a repair for my defective vehicle?
Ideally, as soon as possible. As soon as a vehicle problem appears, you should take it to the dealership for a warrantied repair. If the problem turns out to be minor and/or fixable, you can rest assured that your vehicle is a safe and reliable one.
However, if the problem turns out to be a recurring one, you have established a paper trail early on, and this will help you if you need to pursue a lemon law claim.
How long does the auto manufacturer have to fix my vehicle?
Generally speaking, the auto manufacturer has to perform the repair within 30 days of the vehicle being brought to the dealership. This deadline can only be extended if events occur that are beyond the auto manufacturer’s or dealership’s control.
What if I don’t have a lot of repairs?
Not every lemon law case entails a high benchmark for a “reasonable” number of repair attempts. It’s best to consult with a lemon law attorney to determine if you have enough repair attempts to pursue a lemon law claim. That being said, if your vehicle is still under warranty, it’s worth getting another repair for your vehicle. If your apparent defect goes away after that next repair attempt, you may save yourself a world of headache.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim?
Under the California Lemon Law, you have four years to file a claim. The clock starts ticking when you first bring your vehicle to the dealership to report the vehicle defect.
Consult A California Lemon Law Attorney
Consult an experienced lemon law attorney to better understand your rights and legal options. Initial consultations are free, and hiring a lemon law attorney costs you nothing out of pocket. Call us at 877-217-7676. We are available 24/7.
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.
