A Fresno and Bakersfield lemon law attorney for Central Valley drivers

Daily miles on Highway 99, towing, farm roads and summer heat can all show up on a repair history. If you need a Fresno or Bakersfield lemon law attorney because a dealer has had several chances to fix the same problem, California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may require the manufacturer to repurchase or replace the vehicle, at your choice.

This page covers what is local about those claims: our offices in Fresno and Bakersfield, where the Fresno and Kern County Superior Courts hear larger civil cases, how heat and work use affect what you should document, and how the process runs from first call to resolution. It is general information as of October 2026, not legal advice.

Our Fresno and Bakersfield offices

• Fresno: 8050 N. Palm Ave., Suite 347, Fresno, CA 93711, serving Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, Kerman, Visalia, Tulare and Hanford.
• Bakersfield: 4900 California Ave., B-210, Bakersfield, CA 93309, serving Bakersfield, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, Arvin, Lamont, Tehachapi and Ridgecrest.

Distances in the Valley are long, so we set things up so you rarely have to make the trip. Repair orders and contracts can be sent by phone photo or email, and most conversations happen by phone. Call (310) 853-3461.

Where lemon law cases are filed in Fresno and Kern counties

A buyback claim usually seeks more than the limited civil ceiling, which makes it an "unlimited civil" case. Both courts describe unlimited civil cases as those over $35,000.

• Fresno County: The Fresno Superior Court states that "Unlimited Civil cases are heard at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse," 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
• Kern County: The Kern Superior Court's civil page directs claims seeking more than $35,000 to the Metropolitan Justice courthouse in downtown Bakersfield.

Buyers in Tulare, Kings or Madera counties may file in their own county's Superior Court, depending on where they live and where they bought the vehicle. The correct county is something we sort out for you; it is not a reason to wait.

Will I have to come to court?

Usually not for the routine steps. Your lawyer files the papers and attends hearings. Many cases resolve without the client testifying, through an offer after notice, a settlement after the parties exchange records, or mediation.

You should still expect some involvement. You may answer written questions under oath, and for manufacturers that opted in to the 2025 procedures, each side may take a deposition of up to two hours early in the case. If a case goes to trial in Fresno or Bakersfield, you would testify. We explain each step before it happens.

Heat, trucks and work use: what to document

Valley heat is not a talking point; it is in the records. The National Weather Service office in Hanford lists Fresno's most 100-degree days in a year at 69, in 2021, and its fewest at 15, in 1956, according to its Fresno temperature records. The Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov says air conditioning is the main cause of reduced fuel economy in hot weather and that the effect can be larger, in percentage terms, for hybrids and EVs.

Reduced range or efficiency in heat is not by itself a defect. What matters is a warranty problem that keeps coming back: an AC system that fails again after repair, an EV that throws battery or charging faults, a transmission that slips when towing within the rated limits. For a strong record:

• Use the same words for the symptom at every visit, and say when it happens: "in heat over 100," "when towing," "on the freeway after 20 minutes."
• Photograph warning messages with the date and mileage visible.
• Keep maintenance receipts. For engine and transmission claims on work trucks, they answer the argument that the problem came from neglect or misuse.
• Keep the repair order even when the dealer could not duplicate the problem. It still counts as a visit.

Is a work truck covered? A vehicle bought or used mainly for personal, family or household purposes is covered. A business vehicle can qualify too, if its gross vehicle weight is under 10,000 pounds and the business has no more than five vehicles registered in California, under Civil Code § 1793.22(e)(2). Heavier trucks fall outside that definition. See also our pages on transmission problems and EV battery and charging problems.

How the case works, start to finish

1. The repair history. Under Civil Code § 1793.22(b), in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, a reasonable number of attempts is presumed after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four repairs of the same problem, or more than 30 cumulative days out of service. The first two also require direct notice to the manufacturer at least once, if the warranty or owner's manual clearly required it. High-mileage drivers can pass 18,000 miles quickly, and that does not end a claim; a reasonable number of attempts can also happen later. See how many repair attempts make a lemon.
2. A free review of your contract and repair orders.
3. Notice to the manufacturer where the 2025 procedures apply, at least 30 days before suit if you want to seek a civil penalty. See the AB 1755 changes.
4. Filing and mediation in the Superior Court if no fair offer comes.
5. Resolution by repurchase, replacement or settlement.

What a refund includes

Under Civil Code § 1793.2(d)(2), restitution covers the price paid or payable, including manufacturer-installed options, plus taxes, registration and official fees, and incidental costs such as towing and rental vehicles. The manufacturer may subtract an offset: the price times the miles driven before the first repair visit for the defect, divided by 120,000. If you drive long distances, getting the first complaint onto a repair order early can make a real difference. Our buyback calculator shows the math.

Under Civil Code § 1794, a willful violation can add a civil penalty of up to two times actual damages, and a prevailing buyer recovers attorney's fees and costs from the manufacturer.

Deadlines

For manufacturers that opted in to the 2025 procedures, a lawsuit generally must be filed within one year after the express warranty expires and no later than six years after delivery, with time added for repairs and notice. The Department of Consumer Affairs list shows which manufacturers are reported as opted in. For others, the deadline is generally four years under the Commercial Code's warranty statute of limitations, and tolling rules can apply. Call promptly.

Hablamos español

Our team speaks Spanish and can review your documents and explain every step in Spanish. The state's Spanish-language lemon law Q&A is also a helpful start.

Reach our Valley offices

LaCour Trial Lawyers handles California lemon law claims with trial counsel leading each case. Call (310) 853-3461 or send your repair orders through the free, confidential review form.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information about California and federal law and about public records as of its date. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney–client relationship. Allegations in lawsuits are claims, not findings. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising.