AB 1755 / SB 26: California Lemon Law Update
GM has opted in to California's newer lemon law procedures.
For GM vehicles, a few extra rules apply. To seek civil penalties against GM, you must send GM a written notice at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit. Your case generally goes through mediation, and you generally must file within one year after your warranty expires.
Not sure how this affects your case? Request a free case review, read what changed under AB 1755 and SB 26, or check the California DCA's official opted-in manufacturer list.
General Motors (GM) builds vehicles under the Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick brands. Most GM vehicles run without major trouble, but some models have defects that dealers can't fix, even after repeated visits and recall repairs.
This guide covers the GM defects and recalls California owners run into most, how a recall connects to a lemon law claim, and what to do if your GM vehicle keeps going back to the shop.
GM's Four Brands
Every brand below is built and warrantied by General Motors, so the same lemon law rules and the same manufacturer apply to all of them.
- Chevrolet: GM's highest-volume brand, from small SUVs to heavy-duty Silverado trucks and the Bolt and Equinox EVs.
- GMC: trucks and SUVs, including the Sierra, Yukon, and Hummer EV.
- Cadillac: GM's luxury brand, including the Escalade and Cadillac's electric lineup.
- Buick: mainly SUVs and crossovers, such as the Enclave and Encore GX.
Common GM Vehicle Defects
Certain problems show up again and again across GM models and model years. If your vehicle has one of these and the dealer hasn't fixed it, keep reading, because a repeat problem is the starting point for most lemon law claims.
Engine Problems
- 6.2L V8 (L87) engine failures in recent Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade models, which GM recalled in 2025.
- Valve lifter failures that owners have reported in some V8 engines with cylinder deactivation, often showing up as ticking, misfires, or a check engine light.
- Excessive oil consumption that requires adding oil between changes.
Transmission Problems
- Shuddering and harsh shifting that owners have reported with some 8-speed automatic transmissions.
- Valve body wear in some diesel trucks and SUVs, which can cause harsh shifting and, in rare cases, rear wheel lockup.
Electrical and EV Problems
- Tailgates that open on their own after water gets into the electronic release switch on some heavy-duty pickups.
- Battery defects in electric models, including the Chevrolet Bolt.
- Infotainment, camera, and sensor failures that affect driver-assist and safety features.
Recent GM Recalls
A recall means GM has acknowledged a safety defect and agreed to fix it for free. However, a recall repair doesn't always solve the problem. When it doesn't, you may have options under California lemon law.
Here are some of GM's most significant recent recalls. To check whether your vehicle has an open recall, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Models: 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban; GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL; Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV with the 6.2L V8
Issue: Manufacturing defects in the crankshaft and connecting rods can damage the engine and cause it to fail while driving.
Remedy: Dealers inspect the engine. Engines that fail inspection get repaired or replaced, and engines that pass get thicker oil and a new oil filter and fill cap.
Update: In August 2026, federal safety regulators expanded their investigation after reports that thousands of engines failed again after the recall repair.
Models: 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500/3500 and GMC Sierra 1500/2500/3500; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
Issue: A worn transmission control valve can cause harsh shifting and, in rare cases, momentary rear wheel lockup.
Remedy: A software update that detects valve wear early and limits the transmission before lockup can happen, plus repair coverage for transmissions with the defect.
Models: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD (2500/3500) with a manual tailgate and power lock and release
Issue: Water can get into the tailgate release switch and cause the tailgate to open on its own while the truck is parked.
Remedy: Dealers replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies.
Issue: A wiring problem with the parking brake.
More: Read our article on the Blazer EV parking brake recall
Past Major GM Recalls
Faulty ignition switches in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars could shut off the engine and disable the airbags while driving. The recall grew to cover millions of vehicles, GM's compensation fund recognized 124 deaths, and GM agreed to pay a $900 million penalty to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015.
A software defect in the airbag control module of some 2014-2017 GM vehicles could keep the front airbags from deploying in a crash. The recall covered about 4.3 million vehicles worldwide, including about 3.6 million in the U.S.
GM recalled every 2017-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, about 141,000 vehicles worldwide, because battery defects created a fire risk.
Diesel transmission valve, heavy-duty tailgate, 6.2L V8 engine, and Blazer EV parking brake recalls, described above.
How Recalls Relate to Lemon Law
A recall doesn't disqualify your vehicle from lemon law protection. In fact, a recall repair that doesn't fix the problem can strengthen a lemon law claim.
However, a recall alone doesn't make your vehicle a lemon either. What matters is whether the defect substantially impairs your vehicle's use, value, or safety, and whether GM and its dealers had a reasonable number of chances to fix it.
When Recall Repairs Fail
A recall repair can help your claim in a few ways:
- It can count as a repair attempt. A recall repair for the same defect generally counts toward the number of times the dealer tried to fix it.
- Shop time counts. Days your vehicle spends at the dealer for recall work can count toward the time it was out of service.
- A repeat failure shows the fix didn't work. If the problem comes back after the recall repair, as many owners report with the 6.2L V8 engine, that history supports the argument that GM can't fix your vehicle.
- Waiting for parts adds up. When dealers are short on recall parts, your vehicle may sit for weeks, and that time can matter too.
Keep in mind that GM still has to cover the defect under its warranty for a lemon law claim. A free recall repair on a vehicle that's out of warranty doesn't necessarily create a lemon law claim.
What California Lemon Law Requires
California's lemon law, part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, covers new GM vehicles bought or leased in California, along with dealer-owned vehicles and demonstrators sold with a new car warranty.
The law presumes GM had a reasonable number of chances to fix your vehicle if any of the following happened within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first:
- Two or more repair attempts for the same defect that could cause death or serious injury.
- Four or more repair attempts for the same defect.
- More than 30 days out of service in total for warranty repairs.
You may also need to notify GM directly, not only the dealer, if your warranty booklet or owner's manual says so. Problems that start after 18 months or 18,000 miles can still qualify while your warranty is active.
Used GM vehicles face a narrower path after a 2024 California Supreme Court ruling. A used vehicle sold with only the remaining original warranty no longer qualifies for a buyback, though a GM Certified Pre-Owned vehicle may still qualify.
For a full breakdown, see our California Lemon Law guide.
Documents to Keep
Your records are usually the most important evidence in a lemon law case. Keep:
- Every repair order and invoice, including recall repairs
- Recall notices GM sent you
- Letters, emails, and case numbers from GM customer service
- Dates your vehicle was in the shop and any rental or towing costs
- Photos or videos of the problem, such as warning lights or noises
- Notes on any safety incident caused by the defect
Get Help with Your GM Lemon Law Case
If your Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, or Buick keeps having the same problem, including after a recall repair, you may be entitled to a buyback or a replacement vehicle under California lemon law.
Lawyers for Consumers represents California owners in lemon law cases against GM. Learn more about our GM lemon law attorneys, or request a free case review to find out where you stand.
Se Habla Español | Free Case Review | Serving Clients Throughout California
Frequently Asked Questions About GM Lemon Law
Is my GM vehicle a lemon if it has a recall?
Not automatically. A recall shows that GM has acknowledged a defect, but your vehicle qualifies as a lemon only if the defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and GM's dealers can't fix it after a reasonable number of attempts.
If the recall repair doesn't fix the problem, or the problem comes back, your vehicle may qualify.
Do recall repairs count as repair attempts under California lemon law?
Generally, yes. A recall repair for the same defect can count toward the number of repair attempts, and the days your vehicle spends at the dealer for recall work can count toward the time it was out of service.
Keep the repair order from every recall visit, because it shows the date, the mileage, and what the dealer did.
My 6.2L V8 engine failed again after the recall repair. What should I do?
Take the vehicle to a GM dealer, describe the symptoms clearly, and get a repair order for the visit. Federal regulators are investigating reports of engines failing again after the recall repair.
A second failure after a recall repair can support a lemon law claim if your vehicle is still under warranty, so it's worth having an attorney review your repair history.
Did GM opt in to California's new lemon law procedures?
Yes. GM appears on the California Department of Consumer Affairs list of manufacturers that opted in to the procedures created by AB 1755 and SB 26.
For GM vehicles, you must send written notice at least 30 days before suing if you want to seek civil penalties, your case generally goes through mediation, and you generally must file within one year after your warranty expires.
Does California lemon law cover used GM vehicles?
Only in limited cases. After a 2024 California Supreme Court ruling, a used vehicle sold with only the remaining original warranty no longer qualifies for a buyback.
A GM Certified Pre-Owned vehicle may still qualify, and other warranty laws may still help. An attorney can review your purchase and warranty paperwork.
More on GM Recalls
For details on other GM recalls and how they may relate to a lemon law claim, see:
This guide provides general information about GM recalls and California lemon law. Your rights depend on your specific vehicle, warranty, and repair history. Recall details are current as of October 2026, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest information on your vehicle.
