How Long Does the Lemon Law Last In California?

California takes consumer protection seriously, particularly for large-ticket items like cars. When you buy a new vehicle, you anticipate years of trouble-free driving without fear of breakdowns and unexpected repair costs. Unfortunately, sometimes a manufacturing mistake or design flaw causes a mechanical or electrical problem in a vehicle that repeated repair attempts fail to correct. Even worse, the vehicle’s manufacturer often insists on endless returns to the dealership for further repair attempts rather than living up to the terms of the car’s warranty.

When you’ve purchased a car that turns out to be a lemon due to a recurring problem or defect, an experienced California Lemon Law attorney can help you understand your rights and options. You have the right to file a California Lemon Law claim—but how long after your purchase is the car covered under the Lemon Law in California?

Understanding Recent Changes to the California Lemon Law

California’s court system experienced a backlog of court cases caused by the surge in lemon law claims, which rose from about 15,000 in 2022 to over 25,000 in 2024. The California legislature passed Civil Act AB 1755 , with changes taking place in 2025. This act introduced shortened timelines and the following changes to procedural guidelines:

• An earlier discovery period requiring the vehicle owner and manufacturer to exchange documents within 60 days, avoiding unnecessary delays
• An expedited deposition process
• Mandatory mediation to facilitate faster settlements
• A new statute of limitations requiring a consumer to file a claim within one year of the expiration of the car’s warranty or no more than 6 years from the original purchase date

It is important to note that the recent changes do not apply to all manufacturers. The manufacturer must elect to “opt-in” to the new Lemon Law procedures. The Department of Consumer Affairs maintains a list of such manufacturers on its website.

How Do the New Timelines for the Lemon Law Process Affect My Claim?

The changes to the lemon law process in California may shorten the amount of time allowed for the process, but it also demands compliance from the manufacturer with penalties for non-compliance, making it faster and easier to resolve a lemon law claim. Because the discovery process is expedited under the new act by requiring key documents, it avoids a prolonged discovery request process. Then, mandatory mediation must be scheduled within 90 days of filing the response. Finally, mediation must take place within 150 days. Except for the initial disclosures and depositions, discovery ceases until the completion of mediation. The discovery process only resumes if the parties do not arrive at a settlement agreement.

The changes brought by AB 1755 mean shorter timelines and quicker settlements, with significant penalties to manufacturers who fail to comply. The act seeks to increase settlements while shortening the process by avoiding unnecessary delays. Although the new changes are intended to expedite the process, manufacturers still employ tactics to obstruct settlement and delay the process.

How Can a California Lemon Law Lawyer Help Me?

While the changes to the state’s lemon law process seek to better serve consumers by increasing the likelihood of a prompt and favorable resolution to their claim, it’s easy to miss deadlines or fail to supply the correct documents to prove your case. Instead of leaving your lemon law claim in the hands of a manufacturer whose interests are in direct conflict with your own, contact Young & Young, APC for experienced representation in your case with no cost to you. Manufacturers must pay the consumer’s legal fees when they resolve the claim.