If you believe you purchased or leased a defective vehicle, you might be wondering, “How long do I have to file a Lemon Law claim?”

While California’s Lemon Law offers protections for consumers, there are important deadlines that can affect your right to seek compensation. If you wait too long, that could make it more difficult or impossible to pursue a claim.

When you know these time limits, it can protect your rights and avoid missing an important legal deadline.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

In most cases, California Lemon Law claims have a four-year statute of limitations. This deadline comes from California Commercial Code Section 2725.

However, determining when that four-year clock starts running is where things become more complicated. 

Many consumers assume the deadline begins on the date they purchased the vehicle. However, courts will look at when the breach of warranty occurred or when the consumer knew, or reasonably should have known, that the manufacturer was unable to repair the defect.

As you know, every case is different. That means the exact filing deadline may depend on the vehicle’s repair history and the circumstances surrounding the defect.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Even though four years may seem like plenty of time, not taking action can create problems. Lemon Law cases need documentation, including:

• Repair orders
• Service records
• Warranty information
• Communications with the manufacturer or dealership
• Vehicle purchase or lease documents

As time passes, records can become more difficult to locate. Along with that, manufacturers can challenge claims by arguing that the statute of limitations has expired. As you can tell, the sooner you evaluate your case, the easier it is to collect the evidence needed to support your claim.

Does the 18-Month or 18,000-Mile Rule Affect the Deadline?

Many consumers have heard that California’s Lemon Law applies only during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after delivery. This relates to California’s Lemon Law presumption. 

That means certain facts, such as repeated repair attempts or extensive time spent in the repair shop, can make it easier to show that a vehicle qualifies as a lemon.

However, failing to meet that timeframe does not automatically prevent you from bringing a Lemon Law claim. A vehicle may still qualify as a lemon even if the problems continue beyond 18 months or 18,000 miles. 

However, those defects must have occurred during the warranty period, with supporting facts. 

Can You Extend the Deadline?

In some situations, you may be able to pause or extend the statute of limitations. In these cases, the courts may consider whether:

• The manufacturer continued attempting repairs
• The defect was not immediately discoverable
• The manufacturer’s actions contributed to the delay

These situations can affect when the statute of limitations begins running or whether it should be temporarily paused. However, consumers should never assume that an extension will apply to their case. 

Since these issues are highly fact-specific, you will want to have a California Lemon Law attorney review your circumstances as soon as possible.

What Should You Do If You Think You Have a Lemon?

If your vehicle has been repeatedly repaired for the same issue, has spent a lot of time in the shop, or continues to experience serious warranty-covered defects, it may be worth exploring your legal options. Some common warning signs include:

• Multiple repair attempts for the same problem
• Recurring safety-related defects
• Long periods when the vehicle is unavailable because of repairs
• Manufacturer warranty repairs that fail to resolve the issue

Remember that keeping copies of all repair invoices and service records can help strengthen a potential claim.

Don’t Risk Missing Your Opportunity

How long do you have to file a Lemon Law claim in California? The deadline is four years, but you don’t want to wait. 

If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon, speaking with an experienced California Lemon Law attorney sooner rather than later can help make sure that these important deadlines are not missed. 

At BLVD Law, we can help you consider your options. Schedule a consultation today.