What Are the Changes to the California Lemon Law in 2025?

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson

Consumers should be aware of changes to the California lemon law that go into effect in April 2025, making it even more important than ever to consult a qualified lemon law attorney to protect their rights.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed AB 1755 into law to speed up the process of resolving lemon law claims, but opponents argue the new rules weaken existing lemon law protections.

One of the changes to the 54-year-old Song Beverly Warranty Act is the creation of a statute of limitations that previously didn’t exist, said Attorney James Johnson.

“Plaintiffs will now have just one year after the final warranty expires to file suit or six years total after the delivery of a vehicle,” said Johnson, a California lemon law lawyer.

Other notable changes include requiring automakers to respond to a consumer’s written complaint within 30 days. Previously, there was no requirement for car makers to respond to consumers so this is a welcome change, Johnson said.

“It’s more important than ever that a consumer consult an attorney before reaching out to the auto manufacturer to ensure they include all necessary documents to support their claim,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, those companies that do not respond or fail to pay the consumer by the deadline will face fines of $50 per day. If the automaker rejects a claim, an attorney can file a lawsuit on their behalf in court, but the new rules will speed up procedures for legal claims too.

The changes were made to free up California courts which are currently inundated with lemon law claims.

Roughly 10 percent of all civil filings in Los Angeles County are now Lemon Law cases.

In California courts, lemon law cases grew from about 15,000 in 2022 to more than 22,000 in 2024.

What is the California Lemon Law?

Consumers are protected by the lemon law if they have a problematic vehicle that is unfixable despite a “reasonable” number of attempts to repair and remedy the defect. Typically, a reasonable number of repairs is between two and four repair attempts, but it depends on the severity of the problem and the defects. However, a single safety issue could be enough to label a vehicle a lemon. A California lemon law attorney can assist the consumer and help them determine if they have a valid claim.

Changes Made to the California Lemon Law

Statute of limitations created
Currently, consumers notify the car manufacturer by phone, but now they must do so in writing. (letter or email) with a brief description of the problem and the VIN number if the consumer wishes to seek civil penalties for a manufacturer’s refusal to comply with the existing law’s buy-back provisions.
Automaker has 30 days to respond and 30 days to complete the transaction by fixing the vehicle or buying it back. Currently, there is no requirement for carmakers to respond.
If an offer is made, the car company has a total of 60 days to give the consumer the check, fix or replace the vehicle or face a $50 per day penalty.
If the carmaker doesn’t make an offer, consumers can still fight in court.
This new law would streamline early discovery and mediation for lemon lawsuits.
Streamlined rules of discovery for attorneys
Both sides have to provide a deposition within 120 days of the response.
There is a 150 day limit for mediation.
Civil lawsuits must be filed within a year from the warranty expiration and no more than six years after the delivery of a vehicle.

Free California Lemon Law Attorney Consultation at 1-(800) 558-1087

The California lemon law is complicated, but it is there to protect consumers who purchase a defective vehicle. It is vital that you seek legal assistance if you have a defective vehicle with safety concerns and or repeated problems.

Never put yourself or others at risk if you are experiencing repeated problems or a dangerous safety issue. There is no reason to wait for a recall before you reach out to an experienced attorney and get help. California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.

We highly recommend car owners with engine, electrical, or other problems obtain invoices for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Contact us for a free case review at 1-(800) 558-1087 or read on for answers to frequently asked questions.

Published on Oct. 25, 2024

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about vehicles that may be covered by the California lemon law. However, the lemon law has very specific requirements that must be met for your vehicle to be considered a lemon. Every case has a unique set of circumstances and there are specific criteria that must be met for the lemon law to apply. It is imperative that you take immediate action if you believe your vehicle may qualify.