California Lemon Law Civil Action Mediation

The California Lemon Law Civil Action Mediation Program is a dispute resolution program providing auto manufacturers and California vehicle owners with mediation services for California Lemon Law lawsuits as required by Section (§871.26) of the California Code of Civil Procedure, Actions for Restitution for or Replacement of Certain Motor Vehicles.
Start a Claim

If you are a California consumer trying to resolve a lemon law or vehicle warranty concern and are not currently involved in litigation, your claim should not be filed through this mediation program. Instead, please file your claim with BBB AUTO LINE, a free, out-of-court lemon law and dispute resolution program.  

The Process

This program serves consumers and manufacturers involved in active California Lemon Law lawsuits where mediation is mandatory under §871.26. 

You should file a mediation request through this program if:

  • You have initiated a civil action under California’s lemon law.
  • The manufacturer has filed an answer or other responsive pleading in your case.
  • Mandatory mediation is required under §871.26.
  • Both the plaintiff and the manufacturer are prepared to participate in mediation.   


Key information to have ready includes:

  • The make, model, and year of the vehicle
  • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle
  • Names of the titled owners of the vehicle
  • Point of contact information for the attorney representing the manufacturer and the consumer
  • A description of the desired resolution being sought

 

We will notify you when all required information has been received and will identify any additional information needed to officially start your mediation request. With questions, contact CivilActionArbitration@bbbnp.org.

Mediation

After the mediation request has been opened, a Dispute Resolution Specialist will review your request for eligibility and inform you if a filing fee is required. Once your claim is validated, both parties will receive the Mediation Rules and be asked to sign an Agreement to Mediate. After agreements are signed, both parties will submit supporting documents through the online portal. BBB National Programs will coordinate availability and schedule the mediation session.


What is the lemon law?

If your vehicle is under warranty, lemon laws require your vehicle manufacturer to repair your vehicle and, if they cannot do so after a reasonable number of attempts, they must either replace or refund your vehicle. There is a federal lemon law, known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (“Mag-Moss”), as well as state lemon laws to protect consumers from getting stuck with “lemons.”