If you live in California but bought your car in another state, you might wonder whether you’re still protected under the California Lemon Law. This question often arises, especially for people who move to California after purchasing a vehicle elsewhere, shop across state lines to get better deals, or are active-duty military stationed here.
The answer is: It depends. While California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act offers some of the strongest lemon law protections in the country, the law doesn’t apply to every vehicle simply because the owner lives in California. Whether or not you can bring a California lemon law claim for an out-of-state purchase depends on several key factors, including your residency, vehicle registration, and—importantly—where the vehicle was intended to be used.
At Shainfeld Law, our Los Angeles lemon law attorneys help clients navigate these jurisdictional questions and determine the best path forward, whether under California law or another legal remedy.
The General Rule: The Vehicle Must Be Purchased in California
California’s lemon law applies primarily to vehicles purchased or leased in California and intended for personal, family, or household use. That means if you bought your car out of state—say, in Arizona or Nevada—and had no connection to California, your claim might not qualify under California law, even if you moved here later.
However, there are important exceptions to this rule.
Exception #1: Military Service Members
The law provides a vital carve-out for active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California.
Under California Civil Code §1795.8, military personnel can bring a lemon law claim in California even if the vehicle was purchased outside the state, as long as:
- The manufacturer sells vehicles in California.
- The service member is stationed in California at the time of the claim.
This exception recognizes military members’ unique mobility and ensures they have legal recourse when reassigned.
Exception #2: Intended Use in California
Courts may also consider whether the vehicle’s primary use was intended to be in California, even if it was bought elsewhere. If you purchased the car while living out of state but moved to California shortly thereafter and registered the vehicle here, that can strengthen your argument for jurisdiction under California lemon law.
To support this type of claim, courts will often look at:
- When and where the vehicle was registered.
- Where the vehicle is primarily operated.
- Where warranty repairs were performed.
- Whether the manufacturer or dealership does business in California.
How Shainfeld Law Can Help
Jurisdictional issues can make or break a lemon law case. If your vehicle was purchased out of state, don’t assume you’re out of options—but don’t file unthinkingly. At Shainfeld Law, we’ll review your purchase, residency, and vehicle history to determine whether you qualify under California’s lemon law—or if another legal strategy is a better fit.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney today by calling 888-609-2593 or requesting a free consultation online. We’ll advise you on whether California law applies to your out-of-state vehicle and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.