How to Document a California Lemon Law Claim — The Smart Way
If you're dealing with repeated problems in your vehicle—whether it’s engine trouble, a stalling hybrid system, or electrical gremlins—you might qualify for protection under the California Lemon Law. But to build a strong case, documentation is everything.
At Valero Law, APC, we regularly work with clients whose cases succeed or fail based on the quality of their records. The law is on your side—but you still need to prove it.
Here’s what you should be collecting now if you’re even thinking about a Lemon Law claim.
🔧 1. Every Repair Order (RO) – Both Drop-Off and Pick-Up
When you bring your car into the dealership, always ask for:
A work order at drop-off (listing your complaints in your own words)
A final repair invoice at pick-up (listing the technician’s findings and what was done)
Pro tip: Make sure all of your complaints are listed on the repair order - dealerships are notorious about not writing down all your complaints and thus it ‘never happened’.
Why it matters: California’s Lemon Law requires you to show that the same defect was reported and addressed multiple times—and the paperwork is your timeline.
🧾 2. Warranty Booklet and Purchase Contract
Locate:
Your manufacturer’s warranty booklet
The purchase or lease agreement
These show when your warranty began, whether your defect occurred within the coverage period, and what promises the automaker made. We use these documents to establish key dates and rights.
📸 3. Photos, Videos, and Personal Notes
If your vehicle:
Stalls
Fails to start
Shows warning lights
Leaks fluid
Has engine issues
Has transmission issues
Smokes or catches fire
→ Take photos and videos. Dash lights, noises, smoke, or roadside breakdowns? Snap a picture and jot down what happened.
Even a quick iPhone note with the date, mileage, and symptoms can strengthen your case.
🛑 4. Tow Records or Roadside Assistance Logs
If you’ve had to call for a tow truck, jump-start, or roadside help, get:
Tow receipts
Chrysler/GM/Ford roadside logs
Confirmation emails or texts
These documents show how often the vehicle failed—and help establish “loss of use” under the law.
📬 5. Manufacturer Communications
Did you:
Call a customer support line?
File a case with GM, Jeep, Ford, or Tesla corporate?
Email a service manager?
Save all emails, case numbers, and voicemail screenshots. These often help show you gave the manufacturer a chance to fix the vehicle—another Lemon Law requirement.
🔍 6. Timeline Summary
Not required, but very helpful: Create a short timeline of your experience. Include:
Date of purchase
Dates of each repair visit
What the dealership tried to fix
Ongoing symptoms
Don’t stress if it’s not perfect—Valero Law can help you organize it. But even a rough list gives us a head start.
🧭 How to Proceed
Document Issues: Keep detailed records of all repairs and communications with the manufacturer. While at the dealership, ensure that all of your complaints are noted in the work order that you receive when you first drop off your vehicle.
Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: While the law doesn't specify an exact number, generally, if the same problem persists after four or more repair attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for more than 30 days cumulatively, it may qualify as a "lemon."
Monitor Symptoms: Any new engine noises, warning lights, or loss of power? Stop driving immediately and seek inspection and let the dealership know.
Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney, like Valero Law: If repairs fail, or if you experience repeated issues, you may be entitled to relief under California law. Remedies can include a repurchase of the vehicle or a cash settlement.
📞 Call Valero Law, APC for a Free Case Review
Worried your vehicle might be a lemon? We’ll help you sort it out—no charge, no pressure.
Call Valero Law, APC at (424) 299‑4447 or complete our free Lemon Law case evaluation today.
We represent California consumers at no cost to you—you don’t pay unless we win.