A defective vehicle bought or leased in San Diego County may qualify for a refund or replacement under California law.
San Diego County stretches from the coast to the desert, and its drivers rely on dealerships from Kearny Mesa and Mission Valley to Escondido, Carlsbad and Chula Vista. When a new or leased vehicle has a defect the dealer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts, California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may entitle the owner to a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement.
The Hashemi Law Firm represents San Diego County drivers against vehicle manufacturers. There is no cost to have your situation reviewed, and in a successful claim the manufacturer generally pays the attorney’s fees.
San Diego is the second most populous county in California, with a large military community and heavy commuter traffic on the I-5, I-8, I-15 and SR-163. Matters we see from San Diego drivers frequently involve:
Civil matters in the county are heard in the San Diego County Superior Court, though most lemon law claims resolve without a trial.
Matters we take on include:
See our guide to the used car lemon law in California, or estimate a claim with the lemon law buyback calculator.
San Diego County has one of the largest concentrations of active-duty service members in the country. Service members who bought or leased a vehicle in California are generally entitled to the same Song-Beverly protections as any other California buyer.
Permanent change of station orders can complicate a claim — particularly where the vehicle has been moved out of state or the buyer is deployed. These situations are workable, but they benefit from early review while records and timelines are still clear.
Our offices are in Foothill Ranch and Costa Mesa, and we represent clients throughout California including San Diego County. Lemon law matters are handled largely through documents and correspondence, so an office visit is rarely required.
Generally yes. California’s lemon law turns on where the vehicle was bought or leased and whether it carried a manufacturer’s warranty, not on the buyer’s military status. If you have since received orders out of state, have your situation reviewed promptly.
The evaluation is free. Under the Song-Beverly Act the manufacturer is generally responsible for the prevailing consumer’s attorney fees, so there is typically no fee to you.
Possibly. The 18 month / 18,000 mile figure relates to a legal presumption that makes a claim easier to prove — it is not a deadline for bringing one. See our page on California lemon law time limits.
Often yes. A cash-and-keep settlement compensates you for the diminished value of the vehicle while you retain it. Whether it is the right outcome depends on the defect and how you use the vehicle.
We will review your purchase contract and repair records at no cost and tell you honestly whether you have a claim.