Hyundai Lemon Law in California

Stylish and competitively priced, Hyundai models are often chosen based on across the board ratings for safety and consumer satisfaction. However, what we would expect in terms of reliability can quickly sour if you encounter persistent car troubles. 

No consumer should have to endure the cycle of repeated repairs, broken promises, and diminished value that comes with a defective vehicle.

If you’re experiencing ongoing issues with your Hyundai vehicle despite multiple repair attempts, you may have a lemon on your hands. The experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorneys at American Lemon Law Group understand both the technical complexities and have countless clients get the compensation they deserve. 

Let us put our resources to work for you! Call us today at (877) 311-1133 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.

How Can Hyundai Lemon Law Help Me?

California’s lemon law provides powerful protection for consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles. This consumer-friendly legislation holds manufacturers accountable for producing reliable vehicles and provides remedies when they fail to meet their obligations.

Under California lemon law, if your Hyundai exhibits 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:

• A complete buyback of your vehicle (including reimbursement for your down payment, monthly payments, and paying off your remaining loan balance)
• A replacement vehicle of comparable value
• Cash compensation while keeping your vehicle (in some cases)

Is Your Hyundai a Lemon?

Determining whether your Hyundai qualifies as a lemon under California law requires understanding several key criteria. While each case is unique, your vehicle may qualify if:

• Your Hyundai is covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty or was purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle with a manufacturer warranty
• The vehicle has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety
• The defect appeared within the warranty period
• The manufacturer has been given a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue (typically 2-4 attempts for serious safety defects or 4+ for non-safety issues)
• The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more cumulative days

Recent legal changes have affected how California lemon law applies to used vehicles. Following the Rodriguez v. FCA ruling, used vehicles with unexpired manufacturer warranties are no longer eligible for lemon law remedies unless sold as Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles with a new car warranty issued at time of sale. This makes understanding your specific situation even more critical and why an experienced lemon law attorney would be helpful in these circumstances to shed light on the situation.

Common Hyundai Defects and Recall Information

Hyundai vehicles have experienced several recurring issues that have led to successful lemon law claims. Understanding these patterns can help you identify potential lemon law situations and strengthen your case. Some of the following problems have been reported:

• 2020–2021 Hyundai Palisade: Approximately 123,000 vehicles were recalled because of potential windshield wiper motor failures, which could impair visibility, especially in adverse weather conditions.
• 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5: Certain units were recalled due to a software error in the shifter control unit, posing a risk of the vehicle rolling away even when parked.
• Hyundai has recalled several models from the 2021–2023 model years due to a defect in the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). A faulty high-pressure electric oil pump may cause vehicles to enter fail-safe mode and eventually lose all power, increasing the risk of a crash. Affected Hyundai models include the Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N. Drivers may see warning lights or receive messages like “stop safely immediately” before the vehicle becomes immobilized. Hyundai dealers will inspect, replace the transmission if needed, and update the transmission control unit software free of charge.

How Does Hyundai Lemon Law Buyback Work?

When your Hyundai qualifies as a lemon, you have several options for compensation, with the buyback being the most common remedy. Here’s how the process typically works:

Step 1: Documentation and Case Evaluation

The first step is gathering all documentation related to your vehicle and its defects, including:

• Purchase or lease agreement
• All repair orders and service records
• Communications with the dealership and manufacturer
• Documentation of days your vehicle was out of service
• Evidence of how the defect impacts your vehicle’s use, value, or safety

Our attorneys will review these documents during your free case evaluation to determine if your Hyundai qualifies as a lemon under California law.

Step 2: Demand Letter and Negotiation

If your case qualifies, we’ll send a formal demand letter to Hyundai outlining your legal claim and requested remedy. Under the recent Assembly Bill 1755 (effective April 1, 2025), consumers must provide written notice to manufacturers at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit, making this step even more critical to the process.

Hyundai may respond with an offer to settle, which we’ll evaluate to ensure it provides fair compensation. Many cases resolve during this negotiation phase without requiring a lawsuit.

Step 3: Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

If Hyundai refuses to offer fair compensation, we’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf. Recent changes to California’s lemon law have modified the statute of limitations—plaintiffs now have one year after the final warranty expires to file suit or six years total after the delivery of a vehicle.

The law also now includes early discovery, expedited depositions, and mandatory mediation for manufacturers who opt-in, potentially accelerating the resolution process.

Step 4: Settlement or Trial

Most lemon law cases settle before trial, but our attorneys are prepared to advocate for you in court if necessary. If your case goes to trial and you prevail, the court will order Hyundai to provide appropriate compensation.

Buyback Calculation

A Hyundai lemon law buyback typically includes:

• The full purchase price of your vehicle
• All taxes and fees paid at purchase
• Registration fees
• Down payment and all monthly payments made
• Payoff of any remaining loan balance
• Incidental and consequential damages
• Less a mileage offset for the use you received before the first repair attempt

Our attorneys work diligently to minimize the mileage offset and maximize your recovery.

Contact a Hyundai Lemon Law Attorney Today for Your Free Consultation

If you’re struggling with recurring issues in your Hyundai vehicle, don’t continue to put yourself and your family at risk. California’s strong lemon law protections are designed to help consumers like you, and our experienced attorneys know how to navigate the complexities of these cases to secure the compensation you deserve.

The American Lemon Law Group has a proven track record of success against Hyundai and other major manufacturers, including:

• Audi Lemon Law
• BMW Lemon Law
• Chevrolet Lemon Law
• Ford Lemon Law
• General Motors Lemon Law
• Honda Lemon Law
• Jeep Lemon Law
• Kia Lemon Law
• Lexus Lemon Law
• Mercedes Lemon Law
• Nissan Lemon Law
• Tesla Lemon Law
• Toyota Lemon Law
• Volkswagen Lemon Law

Call us today at (877) 311-1133 or reach out online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Remember, if we take your case, you pay nothing out of pocket unless we successfully settle your case.

Don’t let a defective Hyundai continue to disrupt your life. Contact us today and take the first step toward the resolution you deserve.