You bought your Volvo to be a reliable ride. But now, you are dealing with repeated issues. For many drivers, they might feel stuck in a loop of repair appointments. Fortunately, California’s Lemon Law is designed to address that type of frustration. 

But even with that, many drivers ask whether it applies only to brand-new cars. There are many Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles that may qualify. If you own this brand of car, here is a look at the Volvo Lemon Law in California.

What Vehicles Are Covered?

If you purchased or leased a new Volvo in California and it comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, you are protected as long as:

• The issue happens during the warranty period
• The defect is covered under warranty
• The problem is not caused by misuse or unauthorized modifications

So, what about Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles? This is where things get more complicated. These cars may qualify under the California Lemon Law. However, they must still be under a warranty at the time the defect occurs.

Most Volvo CPO vehicles are sold with with:

• A manufacturer-backed limited warranty
• Additional extended coverage after the original warranty expires

If your Volvo CPO is still within that warranty period and experiences repeated problems, it may be eligible for Lemon Law protection like a new vehicle.

The factor is not whether the car is new or used. Under the law, it must still be covered by an active warranty when the issue occurs.

Reasonable Repair Attempts

Under California Lemon Law, your vehicle must have been in the shop for a certain number of repair attempts. In many cases, this can include:

• Multiple repairs for the same issue
• A vehicle being out of service for an extended period
• Safety-related defects that persist even after one or two repair attempts

No, there is not a set number. But it is usually for 2 to 4 repair attempts for serious issues, or if your vehicle has been in the shop for 30 or more days. Remember that you always need to give the manufacturer a fair shot at fixing the problem before taking the next steps. 

What Happens If Your Vehicle Qualifies

If your vehicle meets Lemon Law standards, the manufacturer has two options:

• Repurchase: This includes a refund of your down payment, monthly payments (minus usage offset), registration fees, and taxes.
• Replacement: In some cases, the manufacturer may offer a comparable replacement vehicle instead.

Keep in mind that many cases are settled before ever reaching trial. This can happen when repair history is well-documented.

Keep Your Records

Whether your Volvo is new or certified pre-owned, the strength of a Lemon Law claim comes down to paperwork. Some important documentation includes:

• Repair orders for every single visit
• Dates the vehicle was in the shop
• Notes about symptoms and complaints
• Emails or messages with the dealership
• Warranty documents, especially for CPO coverage

Your Volvo May Qualify Under the Lemon Law

Do new and certified pre-owned vehicles qualify? Your Volvo vehicle may get Lemon Law protection under the Song-Beverly Act. However, the deciding factor is warranty coverage and repair history, not just the label on the car.

If a defect keeps coming back, interferes with safety or use, and the dealership cannot fix it after reasonable attempts, the law is designed to step in.

At BLVD Law, we can help you with these claims. Whether your Volvo is brand new or a certified pre-owned, we can help you take those next steps for your claim. Reach out today to learn about your options.