Lemon Law Eligibility Checker
4 repair attempts, 2 for a safety defect, or more than 30 days in the shop. See whether your vehicle is likely to meet the presumption.
Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes a vehicle is a lemon if the manufacturer couldn't fix a safety defect after 2 attempts, couldn't fix another defect after 4 attempts, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 cumulative days for warranty repairs.
Enter your vehicle's repair history to check against the presumption.
Lemon Law Eligibility Checker
Lemon Law Presumption Result
How this is calculated
First, the tool checks whether you're within the presumption window: 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Within that window, the presumption is met if any one of three conditions holds: 2 or more repair attempts for a safety-related defect, 4 or more attempts for any other recurring defect, or more than 30 cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs. The days can come from several different problems.
Meeting the presumption shifts the burden to the manufacturer to show it couldn't have fixed the vehicle. That puts you in a strong position for a refund or replacement claim, but it doesn't guarantee one. If your manufacturer opted in to the AB 1755 procedures (SB 26, 2025), you must first send it a written demand and give it 30 days to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many repair attempts qualify a car as a lemon in California?
Generally 4 or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or 2 or more attempts for a safety-related defect that could cause death or serious injury, all within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.
Does my car qualify if it's been in the shop a lot but not for the same problem?
The repair-attempts presumption specifically counts attempts to fix the same recurring defect. However, more than 30 cumulative days out of service for any combination of warranty repairs within the window can independently trigger the presumption.
What happens if my vehicle meets the lemon law presumption?
The manufacturer is presumed to have failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts, shifting the burden to them. This generally supports a claim for a refund (with a mileage offset) or a replacement vehicle.
Do I have to sue immediately if I think I have a lemon?
No, but check whether your manufacturer opted in to the AB 1755 procedures (the Department of Consumer Affairs publishes the list). If it did, you send a written repurchase or replacement demand first and the manufacturer has 30 days to make an offer before you can seek civil penalties in court. For other manufacturers, the older Song-Beverly rules apply.
Does the lemon law only cover new cars?
The presumption specifically applies within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, which typically covers new vehicles. Used vehicles can still have lemon law claims outside the presumption, but the analysis is more fact-specific and harder to establish.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not legal advice. Outside the presumption window you may still have a claim under a different legal theory. Consult a lemon law attorney about your situation.