Los Angeles Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act Attorney
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as the California Lemon Law, protects consumers when a car has serious defects that the manufacturer cannot fix. If your vehicle is unsafe, unreliable, or repeatedly in the shop, this law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or other compensation.
Before the law was passed in 1970, buyers of defective vehicles had little recourse against automakers and dealerships. Even when a warranty applied, car owners were left fighting uphill battles against corporations with vast resources. Lawmakers Alfred H. Song and Robert G. Beverly changed that by creating a statute that levels the playing field and holds manufacturers accountable. Today, the Song-Beverly Act gives you powerful rights if your car or truck is defective and the manufacturer fails to fix it after reasonable repair attempts.
At The Lemon Firm, we use this law every day to help California consumers enforce their rights and recover what they deserve.
How the Song-Beverly Act Protects Consumers
The Song-Beverly Act is codified under California Civil Code §§ 1790–1795.8. It applies to all retail consumer goods sold in California that come with express or implied warranties, including automobiles.
The law requires that every product sold in the state include two built-in protections:
- Implied warranty of merchantability – the vehicle must function as a safe, reliable car would, fit for everyday driving.
- Implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose – if a seller says the car is suited for a specific use, such as towing, it must actually perform that way.
In practice, this means your vehicle should start, run, and handle like others of its kind. If it stalls repeatedly, can’t be driven safely, or fails to perform as promised, and the manufacturer doesn’t fix the issue under warranty, you may have a valid Lemon Law claim.
What Qualifies as a Lemon in California?
Not every vehicle issue qualifies under the Song-Beverly Act. To pursue a claim, certain conditions must be met:
- The defect must be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
- The issue must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, safety, or value.
- The manufacturer or its authorized dealer must be given a “reasonable number” of repair attempts.
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act
A key section of the Song-Beverly Act is the Tanner Consumer Protection Act, which creates specific presumptions of what counts as “reasonable” repair attempts. It applies to new cars purchased or leased within 18 months or 18,000 miles. A car may be presumed a lemon if:
- Two or more failed attempts were made to repair a dangerous defect
- Four or more attempts were made for the same non-safety defect
- The vehicle was out of service for 30 or more cumulative days
Although the Tanner Act applies only to new vehicles, the Song-Beverly Act can also cover used cars sold with a dealer or manufacturer warranty, such as certified pre-owned vehicles. Cars sold “as is” generally fall outside the Act.
What Remedies Are Available?
If your vehicle qualifies under the Song-Beverly Act, you may be entitled to several types of relief under California Civil Code § 1794:
- Repurchase or replacement – the manufacturer must buy back or replace your defective vehicle.
- Incidental and consequential damages – reimbursement for costs like rental cars, rideshare expenses, or towing.
- Attorney’s fees and litigation costs – the law requires the manufacturer to pay your legal expenses if you win.
- Civil penalties – if the manufacturer willfully violates the Act, you may recover up to two times the amount of actual damages.
At The Lemon Firm, we advance all litigation costs on your behalf and only recover fees when we succeed. You won’t pay us out of pocket.
Why Work With The Lemon Firm?
Our team has handled thousands of California Lemon Law claims, many involving complex vehicle defects and uncooperative manufacturers. Because the Song-Beverly Act shifts costs to the automakers, you can pursue your claim without financial risk.
We know how car companies try to avoid responsibility, and we’re ready to push back until you receive the full compensation you deserve. From reviewing your repair history to handling all negotiations, we take the stress out of the process so you can focus on moving forward.
Contact Our Experienced Los Angeles Song-Beverly Act Attorneys
If you’ve purchased or leased a defective car in California, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you powerful remedies. Don’t let the manufacturer dictate your outcome.
Contact The Lemon Firm for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your repair history, explain your options, and fight to hold the automaker accountable.