Stuck With a Defective Vehicle? California Law Is on Your Side.
California has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the nation, and manufacturers are required to stand behind the products they sell. When they don’t, you have legal recourse — and in many cases, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney’s fees.
Fighting for Consumers Against Auto Manufacturers
Buying a car is one of the largest purchases most people make. When that vehicle turns out to be defective — and the manufacturer or dealer fails to fix it — you shouldn’t be stuck with the consequences.
The JHP Firm represents consumers in warranty and lemon law claims against automobile manufacturers and other corporate entities. Armig began her legal career in this area and has spent years litigating directly against the nation’s largest automakers — giving her a level of insight into how these cases are built and defended that most consumer attorneys simply don’t have.
What Qualifies as a "Lemon"?
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (the “Lemon Law”), a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if:
It has a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
The manufacturer or dealer has been given a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect.
The defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety.
The defect persists despite those repair attempts.
You don’t have to wait for a specific number of repair attempts. What constitutes “reasonable” depends on the nature and severity of the defect. Safety-related defects, for example, may require fewer attempts before the law protects you.
What We Handle
We represent consumers facing:
- Persistent mechanical or electrical defects.
- Failed repair attempts under warranty.
- Manufacturer refusal to repurchase or replace a defective vehicle.
- Misrepresentation or concealment of known defects.
- Consumer fraud and deceptive business practices.
- Warranty disputes with dealers and manufacturers.
What You May Recover
A successful lemon law claim can result in:
- Full refund of the purchase price (minus a reasonable use deduction).
- Replacement with a comparable vehicle.
- Reimbursement for incidental costs (towing, rental cars, etc.).
- Civil penalties if the manufacturer willfully violated the law.
- Attorney’s fees and costs — typically paid by the manufacturer.
No Upfront Costs
Lemon law cases are handled on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. In most successful cases, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney’s fees — so you may owe nothing at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many repair attempts are required?
There is no magic number. California law requires a “reasonable” number of attempts, which depends on the severity of the defect. For safety-related issues, even one or two failed attempts may be enough.
Does the Lemon Law apply to used cars?
Yes, if the vehicle was sold with a manufacturer’s warranty still in effect or with a dealer warranty that qualifies under the law.
What if the dealer says the problem is "normal"?
Dealers often minimize complaints to avoid liability. If your vehicle is not performing as it should, you may still have a claim — regardless of what the dealer tells you.
How long do I have to file a claim?
The statute of limitations for lemon law claims in California is typically four years from the date you first knew or should have known about the defect. However, acting sooner is always better.