Key Takeaways
- California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act protects San Bernardino drivers who purchased or leased defective 2020+ model year vehicles.
- AB 1755 (eff. January 1, 2025) added pre-suit demand letter requirements — missing this step can jeopardize your claim.
- You may qualify for a full buyback, replacement, or cash settlement. The manufacturer pays all attorney fees.
- Attorneys Derek Johnson and Jonathan Buxton previously defended automakers — they know exactly how manufacturers fight claims.
- Trucks and commercial vehicles are common in San Bernardino — and lemon law covers commercial vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
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: What San Bernardino Residents Need to Know
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:
- The same defect has required two or more repair attempts under the manufacturer’s warranty;
- At least one of those repair attempts occurred within the warranty period;
- The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety; OR
- The vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 cumulative days due to warranty repairs.
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: Critical 2025 Changes That San Bernardino Drivers Must Know
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:
- Pre-suit demand letter requirement: Consumers must now formally notify the manufacturer of the defect and allow an opportunity to resolve the claim before filing suit. Failing to follow this process can jeopardize your case.
- Updated eligibility provisions: Certain provisions now focus on 2020 and newer model year vehicles. If your vehicle is 2020+ and has recurring unresolved defects, you are generally within the scope of current California lemon law protections.
- Tighter timelines: The shortened procedural timeline makes it more important than ever to consult an attorney as soon as you identify a persistent defect.
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.
Common Vehicle Defects in San Bernardino
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.
GM, Chevrolet & Ford Claims in San Bernardino
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.
What Can You Recover in a California Lemon Law Case?
If your lemon law claim is successful, you may be entitled to:
- Full vehicle buyback: Your down payment, all monthly payments made, registration fees, taxes, and incidental repair costs — minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first warranty repair.
- Comparable replacement vehicle: A new vehicle of equal or greater value.
- Cash settlement: A negotiated amount to resolve the claim without returning the vehicle.
- Loan payoff: If you financed the vehicle, the manufacturer pays off your outstanding loan balance as part of the buyback.
- Civil penalty: If the manufacturer acted willfully in failing to repurchase or replace your vehicle, you may be entitled to a civil penalty of up to two times the actual damages.
- Attorney fees: The manufacturer must pay all attorney fees and legal costs if you prevail — you pay nothing.
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.
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
Why Johnson & Buxton? The San Bernardino Advantage
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:
- A free initial case evaluation — no risk, no commitment
- No fees unless you win — the manufacturer pays our costs
- A direct line to attorneys with former automaker defense experience
- Full handling of AB 1755 pre-suit requirements and all procedural compliance
- Representation from demand letter through settlement or trial
- Proven results across California — read our client testimonials and find out why clients hire a lemon law attorney.
San Bernardino Courthouse Information
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lemon Law in San Bernardino
Do I need to appear in court for a lemon law case in San Bernardino?
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.
How many repair attempts are needed to file a lemon law claim?
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.
What does AB 1755 mean for my San Bernardino lemon law case?
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.
Can I file a lemon law claim on a used or certified pre-owned vehicle?
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.
My vehicle loan is still active — can I still file a lemon law claim?
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
Sources & References
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.
