When you purchase or lease a new vehicle in California, you expect it to meet basic reliability and safety standards. Few components are more critical to that safety than your brake system. If your car can’t stop reliably, you—and everyone around you—are at serious risk. Unfortunately, some vehicles are sold with persistent brake defects that cannot be fixed despite repeated repair attempts. You may have the right to pursue a California Lemon Law claim in these cases.
At Shainfeld Law, our Los Angeles lemon law attorneys have represented numerous clients across California whose defective brake systems led to anxiety, repeated service visits, and, in some cases, close calls or collisions. If your brakes keep failing and the dealership hasn’t fixed the issue after multiple attempts, you may be entitled to a buyback or cash compensation under California’s robust consumer protection laws.
Brake Failures Go Beyond Inconvenience—They’re a Matter of Life and Death
Brake system defects can present in a variety of alarming ways.
These include:
- Grinding, squealing, or vibrating when braking.
- A spongy or sinking brake pedal.
- Unresponsive or delayed braking.
- Electronic brake system (EBS) errors or warning lights.
- Unexpected pulling to one side when braking.
While these issues may initially seem minor or inconsistent, they can rapidly escalate into life-threatening failures, especially at highway speeds or during emergency stops. California law recognizes that a vehicle may qualify as a lemon when a defect affects its safety, use, or value and cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.
How California Lemon Law Applies to Brake System Defects
Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California’s Lemon Law protects consumers who purchase or lease a new or certified used vehicle that turns out to be defective.
To qualify, you must generally show that:
- The vehicle is under the manufacturer’s warranty.
- The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
- The manufacturer or authorized repair facility had a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue.
Brake system failures almost always meet the threshold for “substantial impairment,” particularly when they pose an ongoing risk of a collision. Sometimes, even two failed repairs may be enough to trigger Lemon Law protections when the defect is safety-related.
Documenting the Problem Strengthens Your Claim
If your car has ongoing brake issues, you can protect your legal rights by taking the following steps:
- Save all repair orders and receipts, including written descriptions of the problem and any technician notes.
- Keep a personal log of when the issue occurs, how it affects driving, and what the dealership told you.
- Avoid repeated “software resets” that fail to address the underlying mechanical issue.
- Consult a Lemon Law attorney before agreeing to extended wait times, vague “fixes,” or manufacturer delays.
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Get Help from a Leading California Lemon Law Firm
Persistent brake problems are not just frustrating—they’re dangerous. If your dealership can’t resolve repeated brake issues and your car is still under warranty, Shainfeld Law can help you seek a resolution through California’s Lemon Law. Whether you’re eligible for a vehicle buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, we’ll fight to hold the manufacturer accountable.
Call us today at 888-609-2593 or request a free consultation online. We don’t charge you anything unless we win your case.