California’s lemon law — long one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country — has officially entered a new chapter.
As of January 1st, 2025, CA lemon law updates under Assembly Bill 1755 (AB 1755) are in effect. These changes reshape how consumers can pursue justice after being sold a defective vehicle.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in September 2024, despite voicing concerns about the rushed legislation process and its complexity. Now that AB 1755 is active, it’s important for California drivers to understand what’s changed — and how these updates may affect their lemon law rights.
What Does Assembly Bill 1755 Mean for CA Lemon Law?
AB 1755 was introduced in response to the growing number of lemon law cases in California.
The intended purpose is to modernize the lemon law process and speed up the timetable for consumers to seek reimbursements and replacements for defective vehicles. On the surface, this sounds like a big win for consumers.
However, there are some downsides.
For one, the bill was rushed with last-minute negotiations. The result is that several consumer groups and foreign automakers have been excluded.
What Does Assembly Law 1755 Include?
AB 1755 includes several consumer-friendly details, as it may help to speed up California lemon law claims. Here are the main points:
1. Better Pre-Litigation Procedures
Consumers are required to notify auto manufacturers (in writing) if they would like to pursue a lemon law buyback or replacement. This is crucial if the consumer chooses to pursue civil penalties for non-compliance from automakers with buyback stipulations.
2. Response Times for Manufacturers
Automakers will be required to provide lemon law buybacks or replacements within 30 days of receiving the written notice from consumers. Additionally, the entire transaction must be completed within 60 days.
3. Filing Deadlines
Consumers will have no more than one year after the warranty expires to file a claim, and within six years of the original purchase date.
4. Faster Court Resolutions
If the lemon law claim gets escalated to court, AB 1755 requires mediation from all decision-makers. This involves shorter discovery timelines and depositions.
5. Quicker Settlements
This is the most consumer-friendly aspect of the bill. Manufacturers are required to provide speedy settlements (within 30 days) and may be penalized $50 for every extra day.
Recent Court Decisions Affecting Used Cars
In addition to the legislative updates under AB 1755, a recent California Supreme Court decision has also reshaped how lemon law applies to used vehicles.
In Rodriguez v. FCA US, LLC (2024), the Court clarified that most standard used cars sold with only the balance of the original factory warranty do not qualify for buyback or replacement under California’s lemon law.
Instead, protections are generally limited to manufacturer-certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles sold by a same-brand dealer, where the manufacturer issued a new warranty at the time of the CPO sale. Vehicles purchased from third-party dealers or sold “as is” typically do not qualify.
For consumers, this ruling means that lemon law protections are now much narrower for used vehicles. An experienced California lemon law attorney can review your situation and determine whether your used car qualifies under these updated rules.
What Does AB 1755 Mean for Consumers?
For many consumers, AB 1755 provides a clearer, faster path to compensation if a vehicle qualifies as a lemon. However, it also means:
- You must act quickly once warranty issues arise.
- You need to be diligent about keeping records and providing written notice to the manufacturer.
- Filing deadlines are stricter — waiting too long could cost you your lemon law claim.
If you believe you have purchased or leased a defective vehicle in California, the best step you can take is to speak with a qualified lemon law attorney as soon as possible.
At Cline APC, we offer free consultations to evaluate your case. Contact us today to learn how the updated California lemon law may apply to your situation — and how we can help you pursue the full protection and compensation you deserve.
