RESOURCES

Below, we have collected links to resources from various agencies and entities concerned with California consumer rights. Many of the links focus on California’s lemon law, or a consumer’s right to relief when a vehicle is defective, but both California and federal law protect consumers from other bad business behavior.

CaliforniA consumer protection laws

California protects consumers in many ways. The links below provide basic information about a wide range of laws benefitting California consumers.

California’s lemon law

California’s lemon law, properly known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, entitles many consumers to relief if their vehicles are defective.

California department of consumer affairs

The DCA published lemon law Q&A, which includes a simple summary of California’s lemon law.

California Attorney General Rob Bonita

Our AG has published information about motor vehicle sales and repair.

California DMV

The DMV has published content on vehicles repurcahsed under California’s lemon law.

BBB National Programs

The BBB operates a lemon law arbtiration program that, in our experience, is often unfair to consumers. However, the BBB site links to outdated guides used by its arbitrators.

BBB National Programs

Last updated in March 2022, BBB puclishes a summary of California lemon law on its site.

CALIFORNIA Automotive repair regulations

In California, automotive repair is a licensed profession. The way that dealers conduct and document vehicle repairs is regulated.

California Bureau of Automotive repair

BAR oversees licensing of California automotive repair dealers. It publishes a guide that explains documentary requirements, many of which we believe are routinely violated by California dealers.

California Bureau of Automotive repair

BAR offers a consumer complaint form for dealership violations of California law.

Used vehicles sales

Dealers have a duty to clearly disclose warranty coverages for used vehicles, and they must provide specific documents to you if you buy a used vehicle. See the links below for more details.

Federal trade commission

The FTC explains the requirements for posting a Buyers Guide, which explains warranty coverages to consumers, in the window of used vehicels that they offer for sale.

California Attorney General Rob Bonita

Our AG has published limited information about used and certitied pre-owned vehicle sales.

Department of justice national motor vehicle title information system

The DOJ provides links to sites where you can reserach a vehicle’s history, in part to help prevent fruad.

VEHICLE RECALLS

National highway traffic safety administration

NHTSA allows you to look up recalls applicable to your vehicle by entering the VIN, but you can also find copies of repair instructions, consumer complaints and investigative documents if you enter the year, make and model instead.