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Dodge Lemon Law in California

There are very few things that bring people pleasure than purchasing a new car. The anticipation of driving off the dealership lot in your brand-new Dodge Charger, Ram, or Durango brings a sense of accomplishment and excitement. 

However, when your vehicle is plagued by persistent car troubles, that excitement can quickly turn to frustration and disappointment. If you find yourself repeatedly returning to the dealership for the same problems, you may be dealing with a “lemon.”

The American Lemon Law Group understands both the technical complexities and emotional toll of owning a defective Dodge vehicle. Our experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorneys have successfully represented thousands of Dodge owners throughout California, securing buybacks and compensation for vehicles with persistent defects. 

Call us today at (877) 311-1133 or reach out online for a free case evaluation, and let our team of Dodge lemon law experts fight for your rights.

How Can Dodge Lemon Law Help Me?

California’s lemon law provides robust protection for consumers who have purchased or leased defective Dodge vehicles. Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (California’s lemon law), if your Dodge has substantial defects that impair its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer cannot repair these issues after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to significant remedies.

Your Rights Under California’s Lemon Law

  • Vehicle replacement with a new, comparable Dodge
  • Refund of your purchase price (buyback), including paid finance charges, registration fees, and other expenses
  • Compensation for incidental costs related to the defect

California’s consumer-friendly lemon law puts the burden on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Dodge’s parent company, to remedy defects in their vehicles. Recent legal updates, including Assembly Bill 1755 (effective in phases starting January 1, 2025), have introduced new procedural guidelines that streamline the lemon law process while maintaining strong consumer protections.

Is Your Dodge a Lemon?

Is Your Dodge a Lemon?

To qualify for protection under California’s lemon law, your Dodge vehicle must meet specific criteria:

  • The vehicle has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
  • The defect first appeared within the warranty period
  • The defect continues to exist despite a reasonable number of repair attempts
  • The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of 30 days or more

It’s important to note that recent California Supreme Court rulings have impacted used car protections. Following Rodriguez v. FCA, used vehicles with an unexpired manufacturer’s warranty are no longer eligible for lemon law remedies unless they were sold as Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles with a new car warranty issued at the time of sale. This ruling directly affects Dodge owners and underscores the importance of understanding your warranty terms when purchasing a used Dodge.

How Does Dodge Lemon Law Buyback Work?

When your Dodge qualifies as a lemon under California law, you have two primary options: vehicle replacement or buyback. Most consumers choose the buyback option, which provides a refund of your purchase price and related expenses.

The Dodge Lemon Law Process

  1. Documentation: Collect all repair orders, service records, and communication with the dealership and manufacturer
  2. Consultation: Speak with a specialized Dodge lemon law attorney for a free case evaluation
  3. Pre-suit Notice: Under the new AB 1755 requirements (effective as of April 1, 2025), consumers must provide written notice to FCA at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit
  4. Claim Filing: Your attorney will file a formal lemon law claim against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
  5. Negotiation: Your attorney will negotiate with FCA for a fair settlement
  6. Resolution: Most cases settle without going to court, resulting in either a buyback or replacement

It’s important to note that the statute of limitations for filing a Dodge lemon law claim in California has been updated. Under recent amendments, you now have one year after the final warranty expires to file suit or six years total after the delivery of your vehicle.

How Does Dodge Lemon Law Buyback Work?

Dodge’s willingness to buyback your vehicle depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of the defect, the number of repair attempts, and the documentation you’ve maintained. FCA, like most manufacturers, may initially resist lemon law claims, which is why having experienced legal representation is crucial.

Factors That Strengthen Your Dodge Lemon Law Claim

  • Safety-Related Defects: Issues that affect vehicle safety, such as brake failures or engine stalling, strengthen your claim
  • Multiple Repair Attempts: Documentation of at least 2-4 repair attempts for the same issue (fewer attempts needed for serious safety defects)
  • Extended Time Out of Service: Evidence that your Dodge has been in the shop for 30 days or more for warranty repairs
  • Consistent Documentation: Detailed repair orders that clearly describe the problem and repair attempts
  • Connection to Known Defects: Evidence linking your issue to recognized Dodge defect patterns or recalls

Dodge Car Issues and Their Impact on Lemon Law Claims

Recent recalls can strengthen your lemon law claim by demonstrating that your vehicle’s issues are part of a known defect pattern. Significant recent Dodge recalls include:

  • Dodge Ram trucks (2020-2023) for transmission issues
  • Dodge Durango models (2021-2023) with electrical system issues affecting safety features
  • Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicles (2020-2024) for engine-related issues

When a recall fails to resolve your vehicle’s issues after multiple repair attempts, this significantly strengthens your lemon law claim. Under the updated California lemon law, consumers experiencing three or more repair attempts for safety-related defects may qualify for buybacks, even if the manufacturer has issued a recall for the problem.

Contact a Dodge Lemon Law Attorney Today

Contact a Dodge Lemon Law Attorney Today

If you’re struggling with a defective Dodge vehicle in California, you should never wait to seek legal help. The recent changes to California’s lemon law, including new notice requirements and statute of limitations provisions, make it more important than ever to work with an experienced Dodge lemon law attorney.

The American Lemon Law Group specializes in representing Dodge owners throughout California, including Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Our attorneys understand the technical aspects of Dodge vehicles, the pattern of defects affecting various models, and how to navigate the complex lemon law process to secure the compensation you deserve.

Our firm has successfully handled cases involving all Dodge models, including Ram trucks, Chargers, Challengers, Durangos, and Journeys. We’ve secured more than $50 million in buybacks and settlements for our clients, all without any upfront costs to you.

We’ve also successfully litigated against other car manufacturers like:

Don’t continue to live in frustration with a lemon! Call us today at (877) 311-1133 or reach out online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.