June 22, 2026
Key Takeaways
San Bernardino is the county seat of the Inland Empire’s largest county — a logistics and transportation hub where reliable vehicles aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity. With residents navigating the I-10, I-215, and SR-66 daily, a defective truck or SUV can mean missed work, safety risks, and mounting repair bills. California’s lemon law exists to hold manufacturers accountable when they put defective vehicles on the road. Johnson & Buxton exist to enforce it.
If you’re a San Bernardino driver dealing with a defective vehicle, don’t wait. Contact Johnson & Buxton today for a free, no-obligation consultation. The manufacturer pays our fees — not you.
California’s lemon law — formally called the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) — is one of the strongest consumer protection statutes in the country. It requires vehicle manufacturers to repurchase or replace a vehicle that cannot be repaired within a ‘reasonable number of attempts’ after a defect has substantially impaired the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
Under California law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if:
Crucially, you may file a claim up to four years after your warranty expires — even if you no longer own the vehicle. The manufacturer is also legally required to cover your attorney fees if you prevail, meaning there is no cost to you for representation.
Learn more on our California Lemon Law Overview and our Consumer’s Guide to Lemon Law.
AB 1755, effective January 1, 2025, introduced significant procedural changes to California’s lemon law process. For San Bernardino drivers, these changes are not administrative details — they directly affect your ability to successfully pursue a claim.
Key changes under AB 1755 include:
Johnson & Buxton are fully current on all AB 1755 requirements. When you hire us, we handle the pre-suit demand letter, all procedural compliance, and the full claims process — so nothing falls through the cracks. Contact us today before a deadline passes.
San Bernardino County’s logistics economy drives high truck and commercial vehicle ownership. Chevrolet Silverados, GMC Sierras, Ford F-150s, and Ram 1500/2500s are among the most popular vehicles — and some of the most frequently reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for persistent defects.Common complaints filed with the NHTSA complaints database include transmission shudder and slipping, engine misfires, excessive oil consumption, and electrical failures in infotainment and safety systems. If your vehicle has exhibited any of these symptoms and has been to the dealer two or more times without a permanent fix, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. California’s lemon law also covers commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs or less when the business has five or fewer vehicles registered under its name — a provision particularly relevant to San Bernardino’s many small business owners.
General Motors vehicles — including Chevrolet Silverados, GMC Sierras, Buick SUVs, and Cadillac trucks — consistently generate a high volume of California lemon law claims. Common issues include 8-speed transmission failures, excessive oil consumption in 5.3L engines, and malfunctioning surround-view camera systems. Ford F-150 owners in San Bernardino County have similarly reported chronic 10-speed automatic transmission shudder and engine defects that dealers have failed to permanently repair. See our dedicated pages for GMC & Chevy Truck Lemon Law Claims and Ford Lemon Law Claims. Johnson & Buxton handle all major manufacturers throughout San Bernardino County.
If your lemon law claim is successful, you may be entitled to:
Learn more about how the process works on our How Does the Buyback Program Work? page. To find out if you qualify, visit our Do I Qualify? page.
If you’re a San Bernardino driver dealing with a defective vehicle, don’t wait. Contact Johnson & Buxton today for a free, no-obligation consultation. The manufacturer pays our fees — not you.
Most lemon law attorneys know the law from one side of the table. Attorneys Derek Johnson and Jonathan Buxton know it from both.
Before founding Johnson & Buxton — The Lemon Law Guys, Derek and Jonathan spent years defending major automakers against lemon law claims. They saw firsthand how manufacturers evaluate cases, which arguments they use to deny or minimize claims, and where consumer cases are strongest and weakest. When they switched sides — to represent consumers — they brought that entire body of insider knowledge with them.
That’s why San Bernardino residents who hire Johnson & Buxton don’t just get lemon law attorneys. They get attorneys who know the manufacturer’s playbook — and how to beat it.
What you get when you hire us:
San Bernardino Justice Center — San Bernardino County Superior Court
247 W. Third St., San Bernardino, CA 92415
Lemon law civil claims for San Bernardino residents are typically filed in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The Justice Center is the main civil venue for the county seat and surrounding areas. Johnson & Buxton handle all courthouse filings and appearances — you do not need to attend court.
For general information about California courts, visit the California Courts website.
In most cases, no. The vast majority of California lemon law cases settle before trial, and Johnson & Buxton handle all filings, correspondence, and negotiations on your behalf. Even if your case proceeds to trial, our attorneys appear for you — you don’t need to take time off work or show up at the courthouse.
California law does not set a fixed number, but two or more repair attempts for the same defect (at least one during the warranty period) is generally the threshold. If your vehicle has also been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days due to warranty repairs, that is an independent basis for a claim.
AB 1755 (effective January 1, 2025) introduced pre-suit demand letter requirements and updated procedural timelines. Failing to comply with these requirements can delay or defeat your claim. Johnson & Buxton handle all AB 1755 compliance as part of our representation.
Yes, if the vehicle was certified pre-owned or still under the original manufacturer’s warranty when the defect first appeared. Contact us to evaluate your specific situation.
Yes. If you win a buyback, the manufacturer pays off the outstanding loan balance as part of the settlement. You do not need to be loan-free to pursue a claim.
Turn Your Lemon Into Lemonade
San Bernardino drivers pay nothing out of pocket. The manufacturer covers all legal fees.
Get Your Free Case Review → Call 866-761-2317 · Free Consultation · No Fee Unless You Win
Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — California Civil Code §§ 1790–1795.8
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaints Database
California Courts — Superior Court Locations
U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts
California Lemon Law FAQs — Johnson & Buxton
Do I Qualify? — Johnson & Buxton
Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Johnson & Buxton — The Lemon Law Guys. For advice specific to your situation, please contact our attorneys directly. California lemon law citations: Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8.
To schedule a free consultation with Derek and Jon, call 866-761-2317 or send us an email. We serve clients throughout California.
There is no cost to you to hire our experienced lawyers. You will not have to pay us any legal fees out of pocket. All of our fees are paid by the auto manufacturer.
To schedule a free consultation with Derek and Jon, call 866-761-2317 or send us an email. We serve clients throughout California.
There is no cost to you to hire our experienced lawyers. You will not have to pay us any legal fees out of pocket. All of our fees are paid by the auto manufacturer.
