How Successful Are Lemon Law Cases In California?

California’s Lemon Law offers robust consumer protection, particularly on large ticket items such as cars—a significant expense for most California residents. When a car, truck, or SUV has a persistent mechanical defect despite multiple failed repair attempts, a Lemon Law claim in California promises to hold the manufacturer financially accountable. After a successful claim, the manufacturer must reimburse the buyer’s purchase price or supply a replacement vehicle of equal value.

Before seeking a Santa Ana Lemon Law attorney to pursue a claim, many frustrated motorists with defective new cars wonder, “How successful are Lemon Law claims in California, and is pursuing a claim worthwhile?”

What Is a Lemon Law Claim In California?

Consumers commonly apply the term “lemon” to a vehicle that has one or more defects that remain unresolved despite multiple repair attempts. Few consumer experiences are as disappointing and frustrating as buying a new car and discovering that it’s a lemon. Unfortunately, most auto manufacturers address recurring repair problems by repeatedly requiring the car owner to return to the dealership for endless repair attempts. A successful Lemon Law claim holds the manufacturer accountable by forcing the manufacturer to repurchase the defective vehicle. Before the state enacted the Lemon Law, manufacturers asserted that their only obligation to consumers was to continue attempting repairs covered by the warranty, leaving car buyers with unreliable and sometimes unsafe vehicles.

If a persistent mechanical defect reduces a car’s value, usefulness, or safety, it may qualify for a California Lemon Law claim requiring the manufacturer to repurchase the vehicle by refunding the purchase price.

Leased vehicles may also qualify for a Lemon Law claim if the repair attempts were covered by the original warranty.

What Is the Success Rate of Lemon Law Claims In California?

California Lemon Law data reveals that car buyers filed 34,397 Lemon Law claims in California between 2018 and 2021, making up only a small fraction of the 7.6 million new vehicle registrations during that time. Sadly, the study also showed that many frustrated lemon owners experience significant financial losses by selling their defective vehicles back to the dealership rather than filing a Lemon Law claim. This trend persists despite the reassuring data showing that most California Lemon Law attorneys report a near 99% success rate with the overwhelming majority of claims never requiring a courtroom.

How Can the Lemon Law Lawyers at Young & Young APC Help My Case?

An experienced Orange County Lemon Lawyer from Young & Young APC can evaluate your Lemon Law case with a free consultation, typically without requiring an in-person office visit. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients, putting them back on the road in safe, reliable vehicles. Call Young & Young today so we can put our more than 20 years of experience behind your lemon law claim.