Free consultations · No fee unless we win Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(818) 225-9040 Free case review
Lemon Law Defective new and certified pre-owned vehicles Tenant Rights Habitability, mold, pests, deposits Personal Injury Accidents, falls, defective products
California lemon law

Bought a lemon? The law is on your side.

You expect a new car to be trouble-free — and a dealer to be honest about a used one. When your car keeps going back to the shop, a knowledgeable lemon law attorney can help you get what you're owed.

Cars in a dealership service bay with their hoods open
Check engine warning light glowing on a dashboard
Repeat repairs

Back at the dealer for the same problem — again?

If your vehicle is covered, you may be entitled to a cash settlement — or to have the manufacturer replace or repurchase your car, motorcycle, RV or boat. We'll help you figure out whether you bought a lemon and what to do next.

New vehiclesSold with a manufacturer's warranty
Certified pre-ownedSold with a warranty
Landmark case Published opinion · Lemon law & used cars

Gutierrez v. CarMax

(2018) 19 Cal.App.5th 1234 · California Court of Appeal, Fifth District

Tammy Gutierrez bought a used Hyundai from CarMax. She was told it had passed a 125-point quality inspection. Nobody told her the car had an open safety recall on its brake-light switch. The trial court threw her case out.

Robert Starr took it to the Court of Appeal — and had a decision published that consumers across California can now rely on.

“Failures to disclose material facts are actionable under the CLRA.” Gutierrez v. CarMax, Court of Appeal opinion (2018)
What the court held
  1. 01 A dealer that touts its inspection can be required to disclose an open safety recall — staying silent can make the pitch misleading.
  2. 02 Hiding material facts from a buyer can violate California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
  3. 03 That violation also supports an Unfair Competition Law claim. The dismissal was reversed and the case sent back to proceed.
Counsel for the consumer: Robert L. Starr Bought a car with problems? Talk to us Read the opinion Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
How to know if you bought a lemon

Warning signs to watch for

Not every problem means a lemon. But you shouldn't have to keep returning to the dealer for repairs your warranty covers.

  • TransmissionSlipping, over-revving, grinding or sudden loss of acceleration
  • StallingEngine stalling or shutting off
  • BrakesBrake failures or repeat brake repairs
  • AirbagsAirbag warnings or malfunctions
  • Steering & alignmentPulling, wandering or steering faults
  • ElectricalRadio, locks, windows or air conditioning
  • HeadlightsLighting failures
  • LeaksFluid or water leaks that keep coming back

Under California law, the manufacturer gets a “reasonable” number of repair attempts — and what counts as reasonable depends on the facts. If the problem affects your safety, contact us right away.

Your remedies

Three ways a lemon law claim can end

  1. 01 Repurchase The manufacturer buys the car back from you.
  2. 02 Replacement The manufacturer replaces your car.
  3. 03 Cash settlement You keep the car and receive compensation — which may include a repair supervised by the manufacturer's representative.
What to do next

20+ years of lemon law. We know the manufacturers' playbook.

Attorney Robert Starr has handled lemon law claims for over two decades and has helped thousands of car buyers who unknowingly bought lemons. We know the tactics manufacturers and dealers use to limit what they pay — and how to counter them.

They helped me within 3–4 months get out of my lease and reimbursed for a car with significant safety defects.
Isabella Mahl

Get the respect you deserve as a consumer.

Bring your repair orders. We'll tell you if you have a case — free.

Schedule a free consultation (818) 225-9040