Anaheim Lemon Law Attorneys

Imagine spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle, only to learn that you bought a “lemon.” A lemon under California law is defined as a vehicle that has a defect that “substantially impairs” the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or authorized dealership has been unable to fix all of the issues after a reasonable number of attempts. While it may seem surprising that major manufacturers could sell a vehicle with a major defect, lemons are not uncommon. In fact, between 2014 and 2018, the California Department of Justice reports that there were over 21,000 lemon law cases filed. 

California’s lemon law statutes are regarded as one of the most consumer-friendly laws in the nation. However, despite broad protections, these cases require a comprehensive understanding of complex federal and state consumer protection laws. Anaheim car purchasers saddled with a defective or dangerous vehicle should consult an attorney to determine their options for a refund, buyback, or other compensation. 

The experienced Anaheim Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC, have a well-established practice handling lemon law claims on behalf of California car owners. Car dealerships and vehicle manufacturing companies typically have large legal teams to defend against lemon law claims. The lawyers on our team have extensive experience securing favorable outcomes for our clients. If your vehicle has recurring problems, contact our office at (858) 259-5009 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights and remedies.

Lemon Vehicles in Anaheim

Orange County is one of California’s most populous areas – and one of the top counties for vehicle registrations. In 2024, 2.9 million vehicles were registered in Anaheim County, including 2.3 million autos, over 413,000 large trucks, and 55,570 motorcycles. Statewide, California has about 35 million registered vehicles.

These totals include both renewed registrations and newly registered vehicles. Because newly registered vehicles are most likely to be under the manufacturer’s warranty, they are the most common subjects of lemon law claims. But how many new vehicle registrations each year end in a lemon lawsuit?

The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) tracked lemon lawsuits from 2018 to 2021. During that time, about 7.4 million new vehicle registrations were recorded with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). About 34,000 of these newly registered vehicles became the subject of a lemon lawsuit. 

34,000 vehicles out of 7.4 million means a lemon lawsuit rate of about 0.45 percent – not a high number. Yet this percentage understates the problem. Most lemon vehicle claims don’t end up in court. Instead, they’re settled between an automaker and a vehicle owner. 

These numbers also don’t accurately reflect the number of vehicles with dangerous defects. In 2021, for example, about 6.3 million cars on California roads had at least one dangerous, recalled defect that hadn’t been fixed, according to CALPIRG.

The number of cars with unrepaired defects is on the rise, too. A 2025 CARFAX study found that one in five cars on US roads – 20 percent – have at least one defect that hasn’t been fixed, even though a recall was issued. About 14 million have two or more unrepaired, recalled defects.

A recall doesn’t automatically mean your car is a lemon. But it does point to a serious safety issue with the vehicle. If the automaker can’t fix it with a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may have a lemon on your hands.

The best chance of securing a full, fair settlement – or winning a lawsuit – is in working with an experienced lemon law attorney to protect your legal rights.

What is California’s Lemon Law?

The Tanner Consumer Protection Act and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act are the primary consumer protection statutes that make up California’s lemon laws. These statutes provide that if a car has a serious warranty defect or defects that the dealer cannot fix, even after multiple attempts, the car owner may be eligible for a refund or a replacement. 

What Type of Vehicle Does California Lemon Law Cover?

In California, the lemon law covers used and new vehicles with a manufacturer’s vehicle warranty. These vehicles include:

• Trucks, pickup trucks, vans, cars, EVs, hybrids, and sports utility vehicles (SUVs),
• Motorhomes and their drive trains, chassis, and chassis cab,
• Vehicles owned by dealerships and demonstrators; and
• Most vehicles are leased or purchased primarily for personal or business use. 

While California’s lemon law provides coverage for many vehicles, some restrictions limit liability for certain vehicles. For instance, California’s lemon laws do not apply to the following:

• Vehicles purchased outside of California, except if the owner is serving in the Armed Forces.
• Vehicles purchased from private sales or auctions.
• Vehicles sold “as-is.”
• Vehicles bought after the expiration of the manufacturer warranty. 
• Vehicles whose problems stem from unreasonable or unauthorized use or lack of maintenance. 

Anaheim car owners who suspect they have a lemon should consult an attorney to determine whether the lemon law applies to their car. 

Federal Lemon Laws

California has some of the most favorable lemon laws on the books for consumers; however, federal law also provides consumers with some important protections. For example, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act gives the Federal Trade Commission the power to draft rules for written vehicle warranties and establishes remedies in the event that the manufacturer breaches a warranty. However, because California’s lemon law is more favorable to you, most Anaheim lemon law claims are brought under state law. 

When Does Lemon Law Apply? 

Under California’s consumer protection laws, a manufacturer or dealer that cannot repair a serious warranty defect or defects in a vehicle after a “reasonable number of attempts” must do one of the following:

• Refund its purchase price; or
• Replace the car, truck, pickup truck, SUV, EV, or hybrid. 

Generally, the refund value involves evaluating the following factors:

• Down payment,
• Monthly payments,
• Vehicle financing; and  
• Remaining loan balance.

However, it is essential to note that owners may be responsible for usage fees for the time that they drove the vehicle without issues. 

California Lemon Law and Motorcycles

Under limited circumstances, motorcycles may be covered by California’s lemon laws. Motorcycles are covered if sold or leased as new with a written warranty and if the motorcycle is intended for personal, family, or household use. The state’s lemon laws do not apply to off-road motorcycles not registered for highway use.

California Lemon Law and Small Businesses

California’s lemon law applies to vehicles purchased or leased for “personal, family, or household use.” This provision appears to exclude vehicles purchased or leased by businesses or for business purposes. 

However, California lemon law does apply to certain small businesses and small business vehicles. A small business may seek protection under lemon law if:

• The lemon vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of less than 10,000 pounds, and
• The business owns five or fewer vehicles total, including the suspected lemon.

The weight requirement doesn’t apply to personal vehicles. It’s unique to small business lemon law coverage. For that reason, it’s important to distinguish between gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and curb weight.

The GVWR is the maximum weight that a vehicle is designed to safely handle. It’s a manufacturer-specified limit that includes the curb weight plus the weight of all passengers, cargo, and any optional equipment.total weight of the vehicle itself when it is empty. It’s different than the “curb weight,” which is the weight of the vehicle as it sits, ready to drive, but without any added weight from people or cargo. It includes the weight of the vehicle itself, all standard equipment (like the engine, transmission, etc.), and fluids like oil, coolant, and a full tank of gas.

These numbers can vary significantly. Accidentally mistaking the GVWR for the curb weight may lead you to assume your vehicle is not covered by lemon law when it is – or vice versa. An attorney can help you sort out these numbers and verify whether your small business vehicle is covered by lemon law. 

If lemon law doesn’t apply to your small business vehicle, you may still have other legal protections and options. A lemon lawyer can help you determine whether you have a lemon law claim or another valid legal avenue.

What Are a Consumer’s Remedies After Buying a Lemon?

If you think you may have a lemon on your hands, it is important to understand what you can gain by pursuing a lemon law claim. Typically, consumers who successfully bring an Anaheim lemon law case can recover one or more of the following types of compensation:

• Refund of the purchase price you paid for the vehicle,
• A replacement vehicle; 
• Incidental damages resulting from the defective vehicle; 
• Attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses for pursuing your claim; and
• Civil penalties. 

California lemon law allows the vehicle owner to choose whether they want a “substantially similar” replacement vehicle or a refund. Refunds are also known as “buybacks,” because the automaker buys back the vehicle. Several factors can influence the total buyback amount. A lawyer can help you ensure you get the full amount your claim is worth.

Incidental damages are those connected to your ownership of a lemon vehicle. They include your registration fees, as well as towing costs, rental fees, bus or rideshare fares, and other expenses you only face because your car was unreliable or dangerous to drive. 

California lemon law requires automakers to pay the vehicle owner’s “reasonable attorney’s fees” when they sell a lemon. This provision allows you to work with an experienced lawyer while paying little or nothing out of pocket. Look for a lawyer who works “on contingency,” which means they only get paid if they win compensation for you.

Civil penalties are awarded in cases where the automaker willfully refused to follow local, state, or federal law. Refunds/replacements, incidental damages, and attorney’s fees compensate you for your lemon vehicle-related losses. Civil penalties are different. They seek to punish automakers who intentionally tried to ignore, end-run, or violate the law. Civil Penalties can be as much as two times your actual damages. 

Civil penalties aren’t available in all cases. When they do apply, however, they play an important role in showing automakers that society won’t tolerate improper behavior that puts drivers’ lives at risk. Talk to an attorney to learn whether these penalties might apply in your case.

Of course, damages in any lemon law case are very specific to the nature of the defect, and there are many factors that can affect a consumer’s damages award. However, those looking to maximize their potential damages should be sure to work with an experienced Anaheim lemon law attorney.

Which Car Companies Have the Most Lemons?

Every car manufacturer has sold a lemon; however, some manufacturers’ vehicles are more often on lemon law lists than others. For example, according to a recent report by Forbes, the following brands of cars, trucks, and SUVs had a higher-than-average chance of being recalled. Of course, a vehicle that has a recall doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a lemon, but it is a good indication that it might be. 

• Tesla had 20 recalls affecting 3,769,581 vehicles.
• Mercedes-Benz had 33 recalls affecting 969,993 vehicles.
• BMW had 19 recalls affecting 1,000,455 vehicles.
• General Motors had 32 recalls affecting 3,371,302 vehicles.
• Ford had 67 recalls affecting 8,636,265 vehicles.
• Volkswagen Group had 45 recalls affecting 1,040,885 vehicles.
• Fiat–Chrysler/Stellantis had 38 recalls affecting 3,041,431 vehicles.
• Hyundai had 22 recalls affecting 1,452,101 vehicles.
• Kia had 24 recalls affecting 1,458,962 vehicles.
• Nissan had 15 recalls affecting 1,568,385 vehicles.

What Problems Can Make a Car a Lemon?

Any “substantial defect” can make a car a lemon. And, while the term “substantial defect” is very broad, many lemon law claims involve one or more of the following:

• Brake problems, 
• Transmission issues,
• Exhaust and emissions problems;
• Suspension issues; 
• Electrical problems;  
• Defective lighting; and
• Engine problems.

However, just because a vehicle experiences one or more of these problems doesn’t necessarily make it a lemon. To be considered a lemon, the defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety and must persist despite repeated attempts to fix the defect(s). At a minimum, the automaker must try to repair your defects at least twice.

Why Do I Need an Anaheim Lemon Law Attorney for a California Lemon Law Claim?

Lemon law claims, similar to insurance claims and disputes, are often challenging, and a simple mistake can prevent a car owner from recovering the damages the law entitles. Further, while many car manufacturers offer a state-certified arbitration program to resolve lemon law disputes, these channels can limit the amount of compensation a defective car owner can recover. 

Was Your Vehicle’s Juice Not Worth the Squeeze?

If you recently purchased a new or used vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, and you’re experiencing repeated or numerous problems with the vehicle, you may have a lemon on your hands. The Anaheim lemon law attorneys at Wirtz Law, APC, have decades of hands-on experience helping our clients seek relief from sellers and manufacturers. We know how to effectively investigate these claims, negotiate with manufacturers and, if necessary, litigate your case in court. Over our firm’s history, we have obtained compensation for our clients in more than 98 percent of the cases we’ve handled, recovering more than $70 Million on behalf of our clients. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with an Anaheim Lemon Law attorney at Wirtz Law, APC, call (858) 259-5009 today. You can also reach us through our secure online contact form, and one of our attorneys will be in touch with you shortly.