California’s lemon law got its biggest procedural overhaul in years through two 2025 laws — Assembly Bill 1755 and Senate Bill 26. The good news: your core rights to a refund or replacement haven’t changed. What did change is how and when you file — and, surprisingly, which set of rules even applies to your case now depends on your vehicle’s manufacturer. Here’s a plain-English breakdown.
Quick answer: AB 1755 (effective January 1, 2025) added shorter filing deadlines, a 30-day pre-suit notice for civil-penalty claims, and mandatory early mediation. SB 26 (April 2025) turned the new procedures into an opt-in system — so they apply only to manufacturers that have chosen them. Your substantive rights (buyback, replacement, civil penalties, attorney’s fees) are unchanged.
What are AB 1755 and SB 26?
AB 1755 was signed on September 29, 2024 and took effect in stages starting January 1, 2025. It tightened the timeline for lemon law lawsuits against manufacturers. After concerns from both consumer advocates and automakers, lawmakers passed SB 26 — a “clean-up” bill signed April 2, 2025 — which restructured the rollout into an opt-in framework and adjusted some of the effective dates.
The two-track system — check this first
This is the part that confuses most consumers. Thanks to SB 26, California now effectively has two procedural tracks:
- Opted-in manufacturers follow the new AB 1755 procedures (new deadlines, pre-suit notice, mandatory mediation).
- Manufacturers that haven’t opted in continue under the older, pre-2025 rules.
Manufacturers elect to participate by notifying the California Department of Consumer Affairs, and once in, they’re bound for five years. The DCA’s Arbitration Certification Program maintains and publishes the official opt-in list, updated annually. Before anything else, it’s worth checking which track your manufacturer is on — you can review the official list from the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
New filing deadlines
For claims under the AB 1755 track, there’s a stricter statute of limitations: you must file within one year after your vehicle’s express warranty expires, and in no event later than six years from the vehicle’s original delivery to its first owner — whichever comes first. That can be a surprisingly short window. If your bumper-to-bumper warranty runs three years, the six-year cap may matter sooner than you’d expect. The practical takeaway is simple: don’t wait.
The 30-day pre-suit notice
If you intend to seek civil penalties, AB 1755 generally requires you to send the manufacturer written notice at least 30 days before filing suit (an operative date SB 26 moved to July 1, 2025). The notice has to contain specific information and go to a designated address, and you must keep the vehicle — not sell or trade it — during that window so the manufacturer has a chance to respond. Skipping this step can cost you the right to civil penalties, and courts are enforcing it strictly. This is one of the easiest ways to accidentally leave money on the table, which is why it pays to involve an attorney before you file.
Mandatory mediation and early document exchange
For opted-in manufacturers, AB 1755 builds settlement into the timeline. After the manufacturer responds to a lawsuit, the parties generally must complete mediation within 150 days, and exchange key documents — purchase or lease agreement, repair orders, warranty paperwork, and related correspondence — within about 60 days. Litigation is largely paused during this window. The idea is to resolve well-documented claims faster, before a drawn-out court fight.
What did NOT change
Importantly, the substance of California’s lemon law is intact:
- Manufacturers still must repurchase or replace a vehicle they can’t fix within a reasonable number of attempts.
- The qualifying standards are the same — generally four or more repair attempts for the same defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles.
- Civil penalties of up to two times your damages remain available for willful violations.
- The manufacturer still pays your attorney’s fees if you prevail.
You can see the full sequence on our California lemon law process page, and check whether your vehicle qualifies.
A note on used vehicles
The 2025–2026 landscape also narrowed coverage for some used cars. If you bought a second-hand vehicle still covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty — or a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle — you may still be protected, but options are more limited once the original warranty has expired. Consumers are also generally expected to still own the vehicle when filing a claim.
What this means for you
The bottom line: the protections are still strong, but the path to them is more procedural and less forgiving of delay. Document every repair, note your warranty dates, send proper pre-suit notice when seeking penalties, and find out which track your manufacturer is on. Because the rules now branch in complicated ways — and the deadlines are unforgiving — talking to an attorney early is the surest way to protect your claim.
Not sure how the new rules affect your case?
American Lemon Law Group stays current on which manufacturers have opted in and what process applies to your vehicle — and will review your situation at no cost. See our case results, then call (877) 311-1133 or request a free case evaluation.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, and the law in this area is evolving. Deadlines and procedures can vary based on your manufacturer and the facts of your case. Consult a qualified California lemon law attorney about your situation.