Is my car a lemon? The 30-day rule explained
If your new car spent more than 30 days in the shop in its first 18 months, the law may presume it is a lemon.
- Lemon law
- September 15, 2026
- 6 min read
- Written by our team
California’s lemon law protects you when a new car keeps breaking under the manufacturer’s warranty. One of the clearest warning signs is how much time the car spends in the shop.
The 30-day rule
If your vehicle has been out of service for repairs for more than 30 days during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law may presume it is a lemon. Those days do not have to be in a row — they add up across every repair visit.
What else can qualify a car
The 30-day count is a presumption, not the only path. A car can also qualify if the same serious problem keeps coming back after a reasonable number of repair attempts, or if a safety defect was never properly fixed.
Keep every repair order. If you are not sure whether your car qualifies, call us — the review is free, and if you win, the manufacturer pays our fees.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different. If you have questions about your own case, call us at (760) 338-9712.
