Buying a new car should feel like a dream. But if your vehicle keeps breaking down despite multiple trips to the dealership, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. In California, drivers are protected under a lemon law. 

You have a right to get the vehicle repaired in a timely manner. But how many times will you need to go back and forth with the repair shop? Under the law, there is a maximum number of attempts before your vehicle is considered a lemon.

So, how many repair attempts does California’s lemon law require in 2026? Here is what you need to know if you are dealing with a stubbornly defective vehicle.

What the Law States

California’s lemon law, known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, does not hand you a single magic number of repair attempts. 

Instead, the law deals with a “reasonable number of repair attempts” for a defect that affects the car’s use, value, or safety. Yes, you do have to give the dealer a fair shot, but they cannot take forever.

What does “reasonable” look like in 2026? Here is what you need to know

Serious Safety Defects

If your car has a serious safety issue, like something that could lead to an accident or injury, then California courts say that two failed repair attempts are enough to qualify your vehicle as a lemon. Some of these examples include:

• Brakes that fail intermittently
• Steering malfunctions
• Airbag or seatbelt issues

If your car could put your life at risk, the law does not want you stuck waiting through endless repair attempts. After two tries, you are in the territory for lemon law protection.

Non-Safety Defects

For problems that do not immediately threaten your safety but still affect your car’s value or reliability, California considers four unsuccessful repair attempts to be a reasonable number.

These might be persistent annoyances that never go away, such as:

• Transmission problems
• Engine stalling
• Recurring electrical issues

Once the dealership has tried and failed four times to fix the same defect, your car may officially be a lemon under the law.

Does Time in the Shop Count?

Even if you do not hit the 4-repair threshold, your car can qualify if it’s been in the shop for 30 cumulative days or more.

These 30 days do not have to be consecutive. If your vehicle keeps going in and out for repairs, add up all the time it’s spent at the dealership. Once it hits 30 days, you may already have a strong case.

Documentation Is Important or These Claims

California lemon law cases come down to one thing: paperwork. You need to keep thorough records of your repairs and any communication with the dealer. You will want to track:

• Every repair order and invoice
• Dates of each visit
• What was fixed or not fixed
• Correspondence with the dealership and manufacturer

With extensive documentation that proves that you gave the manufacturer a fair chance to repair your vehicle. Additionally, it shows that you made a reasonable number of repair attempts before making a lemon law claim.

Get Legal Help for Your Potential Lemon Vehicle 

So, how many repair attempts does California’s lemon law require in 2026? That answer depends on the seriousness of the defect and how often the manufacturer has tried and failed to fix it.

At the end of the day, California’s lemon law protects drivers from vehicles that are more trouble than they’re worth. With proper records, persistence, and the right guidance, you can get back to enjoying your car and the open road without the constant worry of breakdowns.

At BLVD Law, we can help you with these claims. We understand the frustration of buying a new car only for it to turn into an endless wave of expensive repairs. Our team can help you find your legal options. Schedule a consultation today.