Every day, O’Connor Law Group, P.C. represents Californians who purchased what they believed were reliable vehicles—only to end up trapped in an endless cycle of repairs, safety issues, and frustration. That’s why recent efforts in the Legislature to weaken California’s consumer protections are deeply concerning to us and to the broader consumer advocacy community.
What’s Going On?
A legislative proposal—backed by some automakers and debt‑collection interests—seeks to modify the rules governing how consumers can bring lemon law claims and lawsuits over defective vehicles. Although the original article is not fully accessible at the moment, based on reporting from consumer safety organizations and prior coverage:
- The bill would raise the dollar thresholds in “limited civil court” for claims (meaning more cases would fall into a court with tighter procedural restrictions)
- It would impose stricter procedural hurdles, like requiring formal written notices rather than informal complaints
- It could shorten deadlines for bringing claims, reduce consumer protections like “negative equity” recovery, and limit how long consumers may rely on warranty protections
- Consumer advocacy groups—including auto safety organizations—have urged the Governor to veto the bill, warning that it shifts power toward manufacturers and away from car owners
Notably, Consumer and auto‑safety groups say this bill is one of the few backed by dealers/automakers and debt collectors, rather than consumers, signaling whose side the bill favors. (See further analysis in coverage from CalMatters, CARS, and others.)
Why This Matters
- Consumers already face uphill battles in lemon cases. Defective vehicles often require extensive evidence—repair records, expert testimony, corporate internal documents, and discovery. Tighter procedural limits or shorter deadlines make it harder to build a case.
- “Negative equity” matters. Many buyers owe more on their car loan than its value. A meaningful lemon law lets you recover that difference, but the proposed changes could limit or eliminate that right.
- Shortened statutory periods are risky. Some defects emerge only after the warranty expires—or after delays in diagnosis. If the window to sue is narrowed too much, valid claims may be barred.
- Access to justice is at stake. Higher dollar thresholds in “limited courts” may push more cases into less favorable venues or deter lawyers from taking cases.
- It sets a dangerous precedent. If automakers succeed in weakening California’s protections, other states may follow. California’s laws are often seen as a model for consumer rights nationwide.
What O’Connor Law Group, P.C. Is Doing
- Advocacy & education. We’re closely monitoring legislative developments and keeping our clients and community informed.
- Encouraging public engagement. We urge consumers, especially those who have had lemon‑law experiences, to make their voices heard: contact your state legislators, the Governor’s office, and consumer protection groups.
- Preparing to defend your rights. If any weakened law passes, we will adapt our strategies to protect clients as vigorously as possible, using every legal tool available.
What You Can Do Today
- If you or someone you know has suffered from a chronically defective car, document it well: repair logs, correspondence, costs, and your attempts to resolve the issue.
- Stay plugged into advocacy alerts around lemon law changes in California.
- Don’t assume you must settle for “Band‑Aid” repairs or middling remedies—seek legal counsel early.
- If called upon, lend your voice. Legislators pay attention when enough affected consumers speak out.
At O’Connor Law Group, P.C., we believe that people who responsibly purchase a vehicle deserve more than endless repairs and justification—they deserve recourse, accountability, and fair legal rights. Weakening the lemon law is not progress—it’s turning your back on the very people the law was meant to protect.
If you have questions about your rights under the California Lemon Law or want help determining whether a proposed change affects your case, contact us for a consultation.