If your car continues to experience the same issue, you may wonder how many repair attempts it takes before you qualify for a buyback under California’s lemon law. The good news is that the law sets clear guidelines for when a vehicle crosses the line from inconvenient to defective.
Repair attempts that trigger the lemon law
Under California’s lemon law, your car must have a substantial defect that affects its use, value, or safety. Once that defect appears, the manufacturer gets a “reasonable” number of chances to fix it. In most cases, that means two or more attempts if the defect is serious enough to cause injury or death, or four or more attempts for less serious but still substantial issues.
When time and mileage matter
Even if your car hasn’t been repaired that many times, it may still qualify if it’s been in the shop for over 30 cumulative days for warranty repairs. The law also requires that the problem appear within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, whichever comes first. These time and mileage limits help define when a car is a lemon.
What counts as a qualifying defect?
Not every issue will qualify. The defect must be something the warranty covers, and it can’t be caused by abuse or unauthorized modifications. Problems like faulty brakes, engine trouble, or malfunctioning steering often meet the standard. Rattling noises or minor cosmetic issues usually don’t.
What happens after qualifying?
If your car meets the repair threshold and defect requirements, you may be eligible for a manufacturer buyback. This includes a refund of your down payment, monthly payments, and other related costs. You might also have the option to receive a replacement vehicle instead.