How Many Repair Attempts Does It Take to Qualify for California Lemon Law?
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Your Complete Guide to Understanding “Reasonable Number of Repairs” in California
One of the most common questions California drivers ask is: “How many repair attempts does it take before my car qualifies as a lemon?” The answer is extremely important — and often misunderstood. While many people believe there is a strict number of required repairs, the California Lemon Law does not specify an exact amount. Instead, it looks at whether the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem.
This guide breaks down exactly what that means, how many repair attempts typically qualify, and what to do if your vehicle keeps having problems.
This guide breaks down exactly what that means, how many repair attempts typically qualify, and what to do if your vehicle keeps having problems.
California Lemon Law Basics
Under the California Lemon Law (Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act), your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if:
Under the California Lemon Law (Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act), your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if:
- It has a defect that affects its use, value, or safety
- The defect occurred during the warranty period
- The dealership couldn’t repair it after a reasonable number of attempts
But what counts as “reasonable”? Let’s break it down.
How Many Repair Attempts Are Considered “Reasonable”?
Although the law does not give a strict number, the following guidelines are used in most California Lemon Law cases:
1. Two (2) Attempts for Serious Safety Defects
If the issue involves a serious safety risk, such as:
- Brake failure
- Steering loss
- Airbag problems
- Stalling in traffic
- Electrical hazards
- Battery/EV high-voltage failures
- Unintended acceleration
…then two repair attempts may be enough to qualify. Courts consider these issues dangerous and expect manufacturers to fix them quickly.
2. Four (4) Attempts for Less Serious Defects
If the defect is not immediately dangerous but still impacts the use, value, or reliability of the vehicle, then four attempts is typically considered reasonable. Examples include:
- Check engine lights that return
- Transmission jerking or hesitation
- Infotainment failures
- Air conditioning failures
- Electrical glitches
- Engine vibrations
- Battery or hybrid system issues
3. 30+ Days in the Repair Shop (Cumulative)
Another path to Lemon Law eligibility is time spent in the dealership, regardless of the number of visits.
If your vehicle has been in the shop 30 or more cumulative days for warranty repairs, you may qualify — even if each defect was different. This rule exists because any car out of service for over a month is clearly not meeting basic reliability standards.
1. Two (2) Attempts for Serious Safety Defects
If the issue involves a serious safety risk, such as:
- Brake failure
- Steering loss
- Airbag problems
- Stalling in traffic
- Electrical hazards
- Battery/EV high-voltage failures
- Unintended acceleration
…then two repair attempts may be enough to qualify. Courts consider these issues dangerous and expect manufacturers to fix them quickly.
2. Four (4) Attempts for Less Serious Defects
If the defect is not immediately dangerous but still impacts the use, value, or reliability of the vehicle, then four attempts is typically considered reasonable. Examples include:
- Check engine lights that return
- Transmission jerking or hesitation
- Infotainment failures
- Air conditioning failures
- Electrical glitches
- Engine vibrations
- Battery or hybrid system issues
3. 30+ Days in the Repair Shop (Cumulative)
Another path to Lemon Law eligibility is time spent in the dealership, regardless of the number of visits.
If your vehicle has been in the shop 30 or more cumulative days for warranty repairs, you may qualify — even if each defect was different. This rule exists because any car out of service for over a month is clearly not meeting basic reliability standards.
What If the Dealership Can’t Duplicate the Problem?
This is extremely common — especially with:
- Electrical issues
- Warning lights that turn off
- Transmission hesitation
- EV/Hybrid battery problems
- Stalling
- Intermittent vibration
Even if the dealership writes “no problem found,” your case may still qualify. Strengthen your claim by:
- Taking videos/photos of the defect
- Explaining the symptoms in detail
- Asking the service advisor to note your complaint
- Visiting a different dealership if necessary
Intermittent issues are still covered under the California Lemon Law.
- Electrical issues
- Warning lights that turn off
- Transmission hesitation
- EV/Hybrid battery problems
- Stalling
- Intermittent vibration
Even if the dealership writes “no problem found,” your case may still qualify. Strengthen your claim by:
- Taking videos/photos of the defect
- Explaining the symptoms in detail
- Asking the service advisor to note your complaint
- Visiting a different dealership if necessary
Intermittent issues are still covered under the California Lemon Law.
Do Repair Attempts Count if They Happened After Warranty?
Yes — as long as the defect first occurred during the warranty period, the case may still qualify even if later repairs happen after the warranty expires.
Do You Need a Specific Number of Repair Attempts to Win a Lemon Law Case?
No. The law intentionally avoids rigid numbers. Ultimately, the key question is: Did the manufacturer have a fair chance to fix the problem — and fail?
If yes, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund (buyback)
- A replacement vehicle
- A cash settlement
- Possible civil penalties
- Attorney’s fees paid by the manufacturer
If yes, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund (buyback)
- A replacement vehicle
- A cash settlement
- Possible civil penalties
- Attorney’s fees paid by the manufacturer
How Alemi Law Group Helps California Drivers
At Alemi Law Group, PC, we handle Lemon Law cases for drivers across all of California. We:
- Review your repair history
- Help determine if your car qualifies as a lemon
- Communicate with the dealership and manufacturer
- Pursue a buyback, replacement, or compensation
- Charge you nothing out of pocket — the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees
- Review your repair history
- Help determine if your car qualifies as a lemon
- Communicate with the dealership and manufacturer
- Pursue a buyback, replacement, or compensation
- Charge you nothing out of pocket — the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees
Free California Lemon Law Case Review
If you're wondering whether your repair attempts qualify under the California Lemon Law, we can help.
Call (818) 946-9911
Email: info@alemilawgrp.com
Or submit your case online for a free evaluation. You don’t have to fight the manufacturer alone. Let us help you get the refund or replacement you deserve.
Call (818) 946-9911 Email: info@alemilawgrp.comOr submit your case online for a free evaluation. You don’t have to fight the manufacturer alone. Let us help you get the refund or replacement you deserve.
