Lemon Law Attorney in Los Angeles

We’ve Represented Both Sides. That Makes Us Better at Yours.

When a vehicle keeps failing despite repeated repair attempts, California’s lemon law gives you the right to seek a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement. At O’Connor Law Group, P.C., we represent Los Angeles consumers under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, handling everything from the initial claim evaluation through manufacturer negotiations and, when necessary, courtroom representation. If your vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer is required to pay our attorney fees, so there’s no upfront cost to you.

We offer free case evaluations for Los Angeles area drivers. If you think your vehicle may be a lemon, the sooner your claim is in front of an attorney, the better positioned you can be to understand your rights.

Call O’Connor Law Group, P.C. at (949) 390-9695 or contact us online to schedule a free evaluation with our lemon law attorney in Los Angeles. We serve clients throughout California.

What Is California Lemon Law?

California’s lemon law is codified in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, widely considered one of the strongest consumer protection statutes in the country. It applies to automobiles, trucks, vans, SUVs, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, some business-owned vehicles, and boats. The vehicle must generally be under a manufacturer or dealer warranty, though vehicles with ongoing problems that sent them to the shop repeatedly before warranty expiration may qualify for out-of-warranty consideration.

The law also covers newly purchased or leased certified pre-owned vehicles that still carry a manufacturer’s warranty.

• Related: Do I Have A Lemon?

How Does California Lemon Law Work?

A vehicle may qualify as a lemon when a defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and the manufacturer or dealer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts. For defects that could cause death or serious bodily injury, as few as two repair attempts can satisfy that threshold. For other defects, four or more attempts are typically required to trigger the lemon law presumption. A vehicle out of service for 30 or more cumulative days due to repairs may also qualify under the out-of-service days threshold, independent of how many individual repair visits occurred.

Signs your vehicle might be a lemon:

• Unsafe to drive or unreliable for daily use
• Brought in for the same problem multiple times under warranty
• Has stalled, broken down, or has recurring starting problems
• The dealer has dismissed your concerns or told you nothing can be done
• You’ve lost count of how many times it’s been in for repairs

Which Vehicles Can Be Lemons?

California lemon law covers a wide range of vehicle types. Eligibility conditions vary slightly by category, but the core protection is the same: recurring unresolved defects after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

• New Vehicles: New cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles bought or leased for personal, family, or household use are covered. Substantial defects affecting safety, value, or use that persist despite multiple repair attempts may qualify the vehicle as a lemon.
• Lease Vehicles: Leased vehicles carry the same protections as purchased vehicles under California lemon law. Repeated defects affecting the vehicle’s functionality may entitle the lessee to relief.
• RVs and Motorhomes: RVs and motorhomes aren’t exempt. Recurring unresolved defects after multiple repair attempts may qualify them under the same standards.
• Other Vehicles: Motorcycles and boats may also fall under lemon law protection depending on the specific circumstances and applicable warranty coverage. Consulting with a lemon law lawyer can help determine whether your vehicle qualifies.

Refund, Replacement, or Cash Settlement: Your Lemon Law Options

If your vehicle is classified as a lemon, California law may entitle you to one of three remedies. A refund typically includes the full contract price, taxes, registration fees, finance charges, and out-of-pocket costs such as towing and rental cars tied to the defect. A replacement vehicle should be a comparable model with no usage deduction charged to you. A cash-and-keep settlement compensates you for the vehicle’s diminished value while allowing you to keep the car.

The manufacturer may deduct a mileage offset from a refund, representing your use of the vehicle prior to the first repair attempt for the qualifying defect. If a manufacturer willfully fails to comply with its lemon law obligations, courts may impose civil penalties up to two times the amount of your actual damages. The right remedy depends on your specific situation, which is why a direct conversation with an attorney matters before accepting any offer.

Local Support for Lemon Law Claims in Los Angeles

Los Angeles traffic and commute patterns make a reliable vehicle essential. Repeated repair shop visits impose real costs: time off work, rideshare bills, rental car expenses, and loan or lease payments on a car you can’t use. The high cost of living in Los Angeles County means those costs add up faster than in most markets, and a defective vehicle can strain a household budget quickly.

O’Connor Law Group, P.C. handles lemon law claims for clients throughout the Los Angeles area. We’re familiar with local dealerships and repair shops, and we know how lemon law claims play out in this market. The Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) and the California Department of Motor Vehicles are official resources for consumers dealing with defective vehicles in LA County. We aren’t affiliated with either agency, but we work alongside the information they provide to help clients understand their full range of options.

Our lemon law attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients in California, including settlements of $205,000 on a Ford F-150, $200,000 on a Lamborghini, and $135,000 on a Subaru Outback for Los Angeles County clients. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect what focused, informed representation can accomplish.

Looking for a lemon law attorney in Los Angeles? Contact O’Connor Law Group, P.C. at (949) 390-9695 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.