Volkswagen Lemon Law In California

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of driving home in your new Volkswagen. The pristine interior, that unmistakable new car smell, and the promise of reliable transportation for years to come. You’ve made a significant investment—both financially and emotionally—in your vehicle, expecting it to provide safety, reliability, and most of all, enjoyment.

But what happens when your dream car becomes a recurring nightmare of repair visits, unexpected breakdowns. Growing frustration shouldn’t be associated with owning a new car. 

When your Volkswagen spends more time at the dealership than on your daily cruises, you shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone. 

Luckily, that’s why California’s robust lemon law protections exist specifically to help consumers like you.

At American Lemon Law Group, we understand both the technical complexities of Volkswagen defects and the emotional toll of dealing with a problematic vehicle. Our experienced Los Angeles lemon law lawyers have successfully handled hundreds of Volkswagen lemon law claims, securing buybacks, replacements, and substantial cash settlements for our clients. 

Call us today at (877) 311-1133 for a free case evaluation and discover how we can help you resolve your Volkswagen lemon law case.

How Can Lemon Law Help Me?

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act -commonly known as the “lemon law” – provides powerful protections for consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles. For Volkswagen owners experiencing persistent problems, this law offers several potential remedies:

• A complete buyback of your defective Volkswagen (purchase price minus a usage fee)
• Replacement with a comparable new Volkswagen model
• Payment of your attorney fees by Volkswagen

Recent changes to California’s lemon law have introduced new procedural requirements. Under Assembly Bill 1755, effective April 1, 2025, consumers must provide written notice to Volkswagen at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit for civil penalties against the manufacturer. 

Additionally, the statute of limitations has been clarified—you now have one year after your warranty expires to file suit, or six years total after vehicle delivery.

These legal protections apply to both new and certified pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles purchased with manufacturer warranties. However, following the Rodriguez v. FCA ruling, used Volkswagens with unexpired manufacturer warranties are no longer eligible for lemon law remedies unless sold as Certified Pre-Owned with a new warranty issued at the time of sale.

Is Your Volkswagen a Lemon?

To qualify as a “lemon” under California law, your Volkswagen must meet specific criteria:

• The vehicle has a substantial defect covered by warranty
• The defect persists despite a reasonable number of repair attempts
• The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 days or more (not necessarily consecutive)
• The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety

California law presumes your Volkswagen is a lemon if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of purchase:

• The manufacturer has made 2 or more attempts to repair a serious safety defect
• The manufacturer has made 4 or more attempts to repair the same substantial defect
• The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more cumulative days

Given the complexities of these laws, it may be difficult to assess whether you have a valid lemon law claim on your hands. That’s why our attorneys can evaluate your specific circumstances and advise on the best course of action.

Your Volkswagen May Qualify if:

• The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety
• The problems began while under the manufacturer’s warranty
• Volkswagen has made two or more attempts to repair a serious safety defect
• Volkswagen has made four or more attempts to repair the same non-safety defect
• Your Volkswagen has been out of service for repairs for a total of 30 days or more (not necessarily consecutive)
• The problems are not the result of abuse or unauthorized modifications

Common Volkswagen Defects and Lemon Law Claims

Volkswagen vehicles have exhibited several recurring issues that frequently lead to lemon law claims. These often include the following:

Transmission Problems

Volkswagen Jetta and Golf models have experienced persistent transmission failures, particularly involving:

• Delayed shifting between gears
• Sudden power loss during acceleration
• Transmission shuddering or jerking
• Complete transmission failure requiring replacement

These issues often persist despite multiple repair attempts, making them strong foundations for lemon law claims. In many cases, owners report needing 3-4 repair visits with the same symptoms returning shortly after “repairs” are completed.

Electrical System Failures

Modern Volkswagens increasingly rely on complex electrical systems, leading to numerous complaints:

• Infotainment system glitches and failures, particularly in 2021-2023 ID.4 models
• Battery drain issues causing unexpected vehicle shutdown
• Faulty sensors triggering false warning lights
• Electrical shorts affecting critical vehicle functions

These electrical problems often require multiple repair attempts and can substantially impair vehicle safety and value, making them strong candidates for lemon law claims.

Recent Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

Several recent Volkswagen recalls highlight potential lemon law issues:

• Multiple technical service bulletins address transmission control module issues requiring software updates that often fail to resolve underlying problems
• Certain 2022 Taos models have been recalled due to ECU software problems that may cause the engine to stall when coming to a stop. This issue affects vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and increases the risk of a crash.
• Fuel system recalls affecting multiple models, with some vehicles requiring repeated repairs for the same issue

While a recall doesn’t automatically make your vehicle a lemon, unsuccessful repair attempts following recall service can strengthen your lemon law claim.

How Does Volkswagen Lemon Law Buyback Work?

When pursuing a Volkswagen lemon law claim in California, you generally have two main options:

Repurchase (Buyback)

If successful, Volkswagen must refund:

• The full purchase price of your vehicle
• All taxes and fees
• Registration costs
• Financing charges
• Transportation expenses related to the defect
• Less a mileage offset based on when the first repair attempt occurred

Replacement

Alternatively, you may receive:

• A new, comparable Volkswagen model
• Coverage of registration and official fees
• No mileage offset deduction

Beginning April 1, 2025, under AB 1755, you must send Volkswagen a formal 30-day notice before filing a lawsuit in order to seek civil penalties against the manufacturer. This pre-suit notice requirement gives the manufacturer one final opportunity to resolve your claim before litigation.

The process typically involves:

1. Documenting all repair attempts with detailed service records
2. Sending the required notice to Volkswagen (mandatory after April 1, 2025)
3. Filing a lemon law claim if Volkswagen fails to offer a satisfactory resolution
4. Negotiating a settlement or proceeding to arbitration/litigation

Under California’s statute of limitations, you must file your claim within one year after your warranty expires or within six years of vehicle delivery, whichever comes first.

Will Volkswagen Buyback My Car?

Volkswagen, like most manufacturers, rarely offers a buyback without legal pressure. Their initial response typically involves:

• Suggesting additional repair attempts
• Claiming the issue doesn’t substantially impair the vehicle
• Offering minor compensation rather than a full buyback
• Asserting that problems result from normal wear and tear

This reluctance makes legal representation crucial. With an experienced Volkswagen lemon law lawyer, your chances of securing a buyback increase significantly. Our law firm has successfully negotiated hundreds of Volkswagen buybacks by:

• Properly documenting all defects and repair attempts
• Identifying patterns of recurring issues
• Connecting your specific problems to known Volkswagen defects
• Leveraging technical service bulletins and recall information
• Presenting a compelling case that meets all legal requirements

Contact a Volkswagen Lemon Law Lawyer Today

If you’re struggling with a defective Volkswagen, don’t continue fighting this battle alone. California’s lemon law provides strong consumer protections, but you’ll also need an experienced attorney to work alongside you.

At American Lemon Law Group, we specialize in Volkswagen lemon law cases throughout California. Our attorneys understand the technical aspects of Volkswagen vehicles, the specific defect patterns that plague various models, and the most effective strategies for securing maximum compensation.

We have successfully advocated on behalf of our clients to recover more than $50 million on their behalf. In addition to Volkswagen lemon car cases, we also have extensive experience handling other manufacturer claims such as:

• BMW
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Tesla

Don’t let a defective Volkswagen continue disrupting your life. Call us today at (877) 311-1133 or reach out online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.