California Lemon Law · Serving the Entire State
Stuck with a lemon? California law is on your side.
If your new or certified pre-owned vehicle is still broken after repeated repair attempts, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may entitle you to a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement. It also makes the manufacturer pay your attorney fees rather than you.
No fee out of your pocket
Song-Beverly shifts your attorney fees to the manufacturer when a claim succeeds, so the firm is paid by them rather than out of what you receive.
California State Bar #214686
Steven L. Marchbanks, admitted October 2001 and active. The record is public. Check it with the State Bar of California.
La Jolla · all of California
1055 Torrey Pines Rd, Ste 205, La Jolla, CA 92037. Se habla español.
Find your vehicle
Already know your make, model and year?
Three fields. The page for your exact vehicle opens with the recall and complaint record on file.
Not sure? Take the 60-second quiz instead, or call (619) 235-0137.
Case Results
Matters the firm has handled for California drivers
The layout below is ready for the firm's verified figures. Until each one is documented and substantiated, the amount stays bracketed rather than illustrative. California's advertising rule does not distinguish between a made-up number and a real one that cannot be backed up.
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
High-voltage battery fire risk; repurchased after the recall repair failed
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2022 Ford F-350 Super Duty
Repeat engine failure under warranty
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Air suspension and electrical faults
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Settlement2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Stalling the dealer could not duplicate
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2023 RAM 1500
Uconnect and camera system failures
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2023 Tesla Model Y
Drive-unit replacement, three attempts
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Settlement2021 GMC Yukon
Transmission shudder, five visits
[RESULT: FIRM TO SUPPLY]
Buyback2022 Jeep Wrangler
Death wobble, a steering safety defect
Results shown are examples pending firm verification; every case is different and every outcome depends on its own facts. Nothing on this page states or implies what any particular claim is worth.
Is My Car a Lemon?
Three signs the law is already on your side
You do not need to know the phrase "lemon law". If any of these sound like your last six months, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22) are worth reading about. The presumptions below apply when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
01
It keeps going back to the shop
Two or more repair attempts for the same warranty problem, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles — as few as two if the defect could cause death or serious injury.
02
The dealer "can't duplicate" it
"Could not duplicate concern" on a repair order still counts as a repair attempt. Keep every invoice. They are your evidence.
03
30+ days out of service
A cumulative month or more being repaired for warranty issues, within 18 months or 18,000 miles, triggers the days-out-of-service presumption.
Lemon Law by Manufacturer
We know your make's weak points
Jeep
4xe battery fire risk, transmission shudder, death wobble, Uconnect failures. The full Jeep guide has model-by-model problem pages.
Ford & GM
PowerShift and 10-speed transmission defects, Super Duty engine failures, Silverado and Yukon shudder. These are the domestic trucks that generate the most repeat repair orders.
Acura · Audi · BMW · Buick · Cadillac · Chevrolet · Chrysler · Dodge · Ford · GMC · Honda · Hyundai · Infiniti · Jaguar · Jeep · Kia · Land Rover · Lexus · Mazda · Mercedes-Benz · Nissan · Porsche · RAM · Rivian · Subaru · Tesla · Toyota · Volkswagen · Volvo.
A Team You Can Trust
Steven L. Marchbanks
Founding Attorney · Premier Legal Center, A.P.C.
Premier Legal Center was founded in La Jolla to level the playing field between everyday consumers and vehicle manufacturers. Steve has been licensed in California since October 2001, and the practice is warranty law: the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
"The manufacturer has a legal team. You should too. Under California law, they pay for yours."
Meet our team
Real people, in La Jolla
Behind every call is a lawyer and a small, dedicated team that handles only California warranty cases. The firm has been in La Jolla since 2001, and the people who answer the phone are the same ones who read your repair orders.
How It Works
Three steps, and the first one is free
1
Attorney review, same day
Steve or a member of his legal team reads your repair history and tells you where you stand. It is never a call centre.
2
We pull the records
Repair orders, warranty claims and buyback history, including the records a dealer will not hand you directly.
3
Demand to the manufacturer
Most warranty claims resolve without anyone seeing a courtroom. If yours does not, the fee-shifting statute means delay costs them, not you.
Client Reviews
What our clients say
Verified Google and Yelp reviews posted by Premier Legal Center clients. The firm does not solicit, draft or edit reviews.
"I had given up on fighting back & forth with the dealership, trying to cope with my 2022 Jeep EV and ultimately deciding to take a loss but Premier gave me hope and assured me that I will get what I rightfully deserve. The process does take time as any great thing should but they have made it so easy and stress-free. I highly recommend if you are looking for real results & value your time."
Jacinda Thompson · Google Review
"Premier Legal Center was outstanding in handling my lawsuit against GMC and the issues I had with my 2021 Tahoe. Steven and his entire staff were extremely professional and a delight to work with throughout the process by keeping me updated and informed. I am happy to give them my strongest recommendation and endorsement."
John Burke · Google Review
"After months of frustration with a defective vehicle and getting nowhere with the dealership, they stepped in and handled everything with professionalism and confidence. They kept me informed every step of the way and made the entire process stress-free. If you're stuck with a lemon, this is the firm you want in your corner. Fast, efficient, and truly on your side."
Sam Gans · Google Review
"Working with this lemon law firm on my 2020 Chevy Colorado case was a great experience from beginning to end. The entire team was professional, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable. Special recognition to Jordan and the rest of the staff for their outstanding communication and support throughout the process. They made a stressful situation simple and smooth. I highly recommend their services."
Luis Fuentes · Google Review
Testimonials are the clients' own words and have not been edited by the firm. Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
California lemon law, in plain English
- What does a lemon law attorney cost me?
- Nothing out of pocket. The Song-Beverly Act makes the manufacturer pay your attorney fees on top of your recovery rather than out of it, and the firm takes these cases on contingency. If the claim does not succeed, you owe the firm nothing.
- What counts as a lemon in California?
- A vehicle with a warranty defect that substantially impairs its use, value or safety, and that the manufacturer cannot fix in a reasonable number of attempts. The Tanner Act presumption (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22) applies when the defect is first reported within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first — as few as two attempts for a safety defect, four for other problems, or thirty cumulative days out of service in that same window.
- Does the lemon law cover used or leased vehicles?
- Yes. Leased vehicles are covered, and used vehicles sold with any balance of the manufacturer's original warranty — including certified pre-owned vehicles.
- How long do I have to file a claim?
- California applies a four-year statute of limitations to Song-Beverly claims, generally measured from when the defect was or should have been reasonably discoverable. Have an attorney look at the dates before you assume you are out of time.
- What if my vehicle was leased?
- Leased vehicles are covered. The remedy is adjusted to the lease — the manufacturer buys out the remaining lease obligation and refunds payments and down payment, less a statutory mileage offset.
Find out where you stand under California law.
Start My Free Case ReviewAttorney Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. The information on this page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, stop driving it and call the firm on (619) 235-0137. Figures from the federal safety regulator's record are estimates taken from the record on the date shown.