Lemon law newsWhat’s changing
New laws, court decisions and rule changes that can affect your vehicle claim, explained in plain language. We add posts as things change.
California Supreme Court: a used car with factory warranty left isn’t a “new motor vehicle” for a buyback
In 2024 the court ruled that a previously owned car doesn’t qualify for the lemon law buyback-or-replace remedy just because some of the original warranty remains.
Read the post Court decision ·California Supreme Court: trading in or selling your lemon doesn’t reduce the buyback amount
In 2024 the court ruled that what you got for trading in or selling a defective vehicle is not subtracted from the restitution the manufacturer owes.
Read the post Court decision ·California Supreme Court: a dealer’s arbitration clause doesn’t let the manufacturer force arbitration
In 2025 the court ruled that Ford could not use the arbitration clause in a dealer’s sales contract to move lemon law claims out of court.
Read the post New law ·Starting October 1, 2026: a 3-day right to cancel many used-car purchases
A new California law gives buyers of many used cars priced at $50,000 or less three days to cancel the purchase and return the car.
Read the post Rule change ·Which carmakers opted into California’s new lemon law procedures
Many major manufacturers chose to follow the procedures created by AB 1755. Here is the state’s list and what it means for your claim.
Read the post New law ·What AB 1755 and SB 26 changed for California lemon law claims
New deadlines, a written notice step, and a faster path to mediation apply to claims against manufacturers that opted in.
Read the postThese posts are general information about California law, not legal advice about your situation. Laws and court decisions change; each post shows the date it was written.