California Lemon Law Updates for 2026

California’s lemon law — part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — remains strong in its core protections, but major procedural changes under AB 1755 and SB 26 took effect in 2025 and are now shaping how claims are handled

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Key Changes Under AB 1755 & SB 26

1. Shorter Statute of Limitations

• You must file a lemon law lawsuit within 1 year after your express warranty expires, or within 6 years of the vehicle’s original delivery to its first owner — whichever comes first 

• This means even with a 10-year warranty, you have only 6 years from the first delivery to act; the warranty period itself doesn’t extend the clock.                                                                                                                                                 

2. Mandatory Pre-Suit Written Notice

• Before filing, you must send the manufacturer a formal written notice at least 30 days before suing if you want to seek civil penalties

• The notice must include specific details and be sent to a designated address/email.

• You must keep the vehicle during this 30-day window to allow a response.

• Skipping this step can bar you from certain penalties.                                                                                                                 

3. Mandatory Mediation

• After the manufacturer answers your complaint, both sides must attend mandatory mediation within 150 days                                                                                                                                                                                    

• Discovery and trial can only proceed if mediation fails.

• Manufacturers can delay mediation, which may push the process to 6 months or more.                                           

4. New Dispute Resolution Options

• Manufacturers can opt to resolve claims under the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Arbitration Certification Program or through other alternate dispute procedures

• Certified manufacturers must disclose lemon law notice requirements on their websites and warranty materials.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

What’s Still the Same

• Core protections remain: a refund or replacement if a substantial defect persists after 4+ repair attempts (2 for safety defects) or 30+ days out of service within 18 months/18,000 miles of delivery.

• Covered vehicles include new and used cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, electric vehicles, and leased vehicles used for personal purposes 

• Used vehicle coverage is now more limited — the Supreme Court clarified that remaining original warranty time alone does not automatically qualify a used vehicle.                                                                                                                            

Why the Changes?

The reforms aim to reduce court backlogs and encourage early settlement. Lemon law filings surged from ~15,000 in 2022 to over 25,000 in 2024, overwhelming the system.

Bottom line: If you have a lemon law claim in 2026, you must act quickly under the new deadlines, follow the pre-suit notice rules, and be ready for mandatory mediation. These steps are now essential to your case.