Buying or leasing a new vehicle is supposed to bring peace of mind, not a calendar full of service appointments. Yet more California drivers are dealing with repeat defects, long repair delays, and complex electric vehicle (EV) issues than ever before. When the dealership keeps saying “we’ll take another look,” many people start asking a simple question: Is it time to call a lemon lawyer?
In 2025, California’s lemon law remains one of the strongest consumer protection tools available to car owners, but the rules, timelines, and technology behind modern vehicles continue to evolve. EV battery recalls, software glitches, and safety-related defects are increasingly in the news, which makes qualified legal help more valuable than ever.
What does a lemon lawyer actually do?
A lemon law attorney focuses on cases involving a vehicle with substantial defects that affect its safety, use, or value and that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Instead of just sending another complaint email to the dealership, an attorney can:
- Review your warranty, repair history, and purchase or lease documents
- Determine whether your situation meets California’s legal standards
- Calculate what a fair refund, replacement, or cash settlement should look like
- Handle communications and negotiations with the manufacturer
- File a lawsuit if the automaker refuses to resolve the claim
Under California’s statute, when a case is successful, the manufacturer — not the consumer — is generally responsible for paying the driver’s reasonable attorney’s fees. That structure makes it easier for everyday drivers to get high-quality legal representation without adding more financial pressure.
Why 2025 is different for lemon law claims
Recent updates to California’s lemon law framework and related case timelines mean that waiting too long can hurt your rights. Articles discussing 2025 changes highlight tighter deadlines linked to the vehicle’s warranty period and purchase date, especially for claims involving EVs and hybrids.
At the same time, EV-specific problems are becoming more common, including:
- High-voltage battery defects and fire-risk recalls
- Charging failures, range loss, and frequent “limp mode” events
- Software bugs that cause acceleration glitches, safety-system errors, or dashboard warnings that never clear
Because these issues can be expensive and technically complex, manufacturers often push back hard. Having a lemon lawyer who understands both the Law and modern vehicle technology can make the difference between a lowball offer and a full, fair resolution.
Signs it’s time to call a lemon lawyer
Drivers don’t need to be legal experts to know something is wrong. It may be time to talk to a professional if:
- The same defect has been “repaired” multiple times, but keeps returning.
- Your vehicle has been in the shop for 30 or more days for warranty repairs.
- Safety-related systems (brakes, steering, seatbelts, door latches, airbags, or advanced driver assistance) remain unreliable.
- The dealer says a serious issue is “normal” or “within spec.”
- You’re being pressured to accept a trade-in or a warranty extension instead of a buyback.
A short consultation can help clarify whether you likely qualify under California lemon law and what the next steps should be.
How to choose the right lemon law firm
Not every attorney is familiar with the details of California’s lemon statutes, or with emerging EV-related claims. When comparing firms, it helps to look for:
- A practice that exclusively or primarily handles lemon law cases
- Experience with both traditional gas vehicles and newer EV/hybrid claims
- Strong client reviews that mention clear communication and good outcomes
- Free consultations and no upfront fees for qualifying cases
A focused practice is more likely to understand how manufacturers negotiate, which models are generating frequent complaints, and how courts are treating newer safety and software issues.
About Seven Law and its lemon law practice
Seven Law is a California firm that concentrates on helping consumers with defective vehicles pursue refunds, replacements, or cash settlements under state lemon law. The firm exclusively handles these cases, representing drivers across the state who are dealing with persistent mechanical, electrical, and EV-related defects.
Seven Law’s attorneys guide clients through every step of the process — from evaluating whether a vehicle qualifies as a lemon to negotiating with manufacturers and, when necessary, filing suit. Online profiles and review summaries describe the team as professional, responsive, and focused on maximizing clients’ compensation.
Because California law typically requires the manufacturer to pay the consumer’s reasonable attorney’s fees when a case succeeds, eligible clients do not have to deduct legal costs from their own recovery. This consumer-friendly structure allows Seven LawLaw to offer free case reviews and to represent qualifying clients without upfront charges.
The bottom line
Modern vehicles — especially EVs and tech-heavy models — offer incredible features, but they also create new kinds of defects and legal questions. When you’re stuck with a car that spends more time at the dealership than in your driveway, a skilled lemon lawyer can help you turn that frustration into a concrete outcome.
By documenting every repair visit, acting within California’s timelines, and partnering with a focused firm like Seven Law’s lemon law team, drivers give themselves the best chance to move on from a defective vehicle and get back to driving something they can trust.
