When a brand-new car starts acting up, it doesn’t matter whether you own it outright or drive it under a lease—frustration hits the same. But when it comes to legal protection, many drivers wonder if leasing affects their rights under California’s leased car Lemon Law. The short answer? Lessees enjoy nearly the same powerful protections as buyers—if they know how and when to use them.
How Lemon Law Protects Both Buyers and Lessees
California’s Lemon Law for defective vehicles (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) doesn’t just cover traditional buyers. It also applies to leased vehicles, as long as the car was leased new from an authorized dealer and still falls under the manufacturer’s original warranty.
If your leased vehicle develops a defect that affects its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or dealership can’t fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may qualify for compensation just like a buyer would. That might include a replacement vehicle, early lease termination, or even reimbursement for lease payments and other related costs.
So, when it comes to protection, leasing doesn’t put you at a disadvantage—it simply changes the type of remedy available. A Lemon Law attorney can help navigate the fine print to ensure you receive fair treatment under the California leased car Lemon Law.
Differences Between Buyer and Lessee Claims
While both buyers and lessees can file Lemon Law claims, the legal process varies slightly.
If you bought your vehicle, the usual remedy is a buyback or replacement, where the manufacturer repurchases the car or provides a new one of equal value. You’re reimbursed for your purchase price, taxes, and registration, minus a small deduction for mileage before the first defect appeared.
If you leased your car, the remedy focuses on your financial losses. The manufacturer may be required to:
- Refund your down payment and lease payments made to date.
- Pay off any remaining lease balance directly to the finance company.
- Cover towing, rental, and incidental costs related to the defect.
This ensures that lessees aren’t stuck paying for a faulty vehicle they don’t even own. A skilled Lemon Law car lawyer can coordinate with your leasing company and the manufacturer to negotiate the best possible resolution.
We Help Both Buyers and Lessees Get Justice
Skilled attorneys help lessees recover payments or replacements when leased vehicles qualify as lemons under state law.
At Ron Marquez Law Corp, we believe no driver should be left without protection simply because they chose to lease instead of buy. Whether you’re driving a luxury electric lease or a family SUV, our team of experienced Lemon Law experts will evaluate your repair records, warranty terms, and dealer communications to determine your eligibility under the leased car Lemon Law.
If your leased car has been back to the dealership multiple times for the same issue, don’t assume you’re out of luck. You have the same right to a reliable, defect-free vehicle as anyone else. We’ll help you file a strong claim and recover what you’re owed—quickly, efficiently, and with zero stress on your end.
If your new or leased vehicle keeps giving you trouble, contact Ron Marquez Law Corp today for a free consultation. We proudly represent clients across Shasta County, Siskiyou County, and beyond. Whether you bought it or leased it, you deserve a car that drives right—and a legal team that won’t stop until it does.
