California’s Lemon Law, officially known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, provides vital protections for consumers who purchase or lease vehicles that turn out to be defective. However, one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of the law is the deadline for filing a claim.

In most cases, consumers have up to four years from the date they first notice the problem to take legal action. Attorneys stress that the clock starts running when the defect is discovered, not when the car was purchased. This means drivers cannot afford to wait if repeated repair attempts fail to fix the issue.

Failure to act within this statute of limitations could result in losing the right to compensation altogether. Legal professionals emphasize that manufacturers and dealers are often quick to exploit missed deadlines, leaving consumers with no legal recourse.

To preserve their rights, drivers are advised to keep detailed records of all repair attempts, warranty communications, and dealer visits. If a defect persists after multiple repair attempts or keeps the vehicle out of service for an extended period, consulting an attorney can help clarify the timeline and prevent costly mistakes.

As California roads fill with more defective vehicle complaints, awareness of Lemon Law filing deadlines has become essential for protecting consumer rights.