California Lemon Law
Kia Lemon Law Attorney
Speak with a California Kia lemon lawyer about a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement.
Kia shares Hyundai's engine defect and recall history. If your Kia has a warranty problem the dealer can't fix after reasonable attempts, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.
Commonly Reported Kia Defects
These are commonly reported issue categories — not every Kia is affected. Any substantial, warranty-covered defect that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts may support a claim.
Is My Kia a Lemon?
In plain terms: your Kia is a lemon if it has a substantial defect covered by the warranty that Kia America, Inc. can't fix after a reasonable number of attempts — or if it's been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days. If that sounds like your vehicle, you may be owed a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement, and Kia pays the legal fees.
Because Kia America opted into California’s AB 1755 procedures, the filing window on a Kia claim is shorter than most owners realize: generally one year from your warranty’s expiration, and no later than six years from the vehicle’s original delivery date. That is materially tighter than the four-year rule that applies to manufacturers who did not opt in — and several competing firms still publish the four-year figure for Kia. If your warranty has lapsed or is close to it, the clock is the first thing to check, not the last.
Kia has been among the most recall-active manufacturers in the United States, and its defects tend to be serious rather than cosmetic: engine fires, seat-motor fires, and EV charging systems that leave the car dead. When a defect has already been recalled, Kia has conceded it exists — so the question in your case is not whether the problem is real. It is whether the repair worked.
Your Kia may qualify under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act if a substantial, warranty-covered defect survives a reasonable number of repair attempts, or if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days. Fire risk and charging failure clear the “substantial” bar without argument — a car you are afraid to park in your garage is not a car you can reasonably be asked to keep.
If any of that sounds like your vehicle, talk to a Kia lemon lawyer before you agree to another repair attempt. Our Kia lemon law attorneys have brought this claim against Kia America, Inc. before, and we will tell you honestly in the first call whether yours is worth bringing.
Take the 60-second “is my car a lemon?” checkWhat Kia Defects Trigger California Lemon Law Claims?
| Defect category | Commonly reported issues |
|---|---|
| Telluride — power seat fire risk | Kia recalled more than 462,000 Telluride SUVs over a front power seat motor that may cause a fire (26V105). The Telluride is also subject to structure (25V494) and tire (25V745) campaigns. |
| EV charging (ICCU) | EV6 charging-control failures that can leave the vehicle unable to charge or drive — the same ICCU defect family as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and one owners report recurring after replacement. |
| Engine (Theta II) | Bearing wear, knocking, oil consumption, stalling and fire risk — the defect behind years of Kia engine recalls and extended warranties across the Optima, Sorento and Sportage. |
| Fuel system | The 2024 Carnival is subject to a gasoline fuel-system recall (26V232). |
| Transmission (DCT) | Dual-clutch hesitation, shuddering and lurching at low speed. |
Check whether your Kia needs one of these recalls
Not every Kia is affected. Enter your VIN in NHTSA's free federal database to see the open recalls, complaints and investigations on your exact vehicle. It takes about thirty seconds, and it is the same record we would pull for your case.
Look up your VIN at NHTSA.govA recall is not automatically a lemon — and a defect does not have to be recalled to support a claim. Any substantial, warranty-covered defect that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts may qualify.
What a Kia Lemon Lawyer Will Ask You For
Strong documentation is what turns a frustrating ownership experience into a provable claim against Kia America, Inc.. Gather what you can before your consultation — and don't worry if you're missing something, because we can request records directly from the dealer.
Kia Models We Handle
Don't see your model? We handle all Kia vehicles — and every other manufacturer.
Active Kia Recalls
A recall doesn't automatically make your Kia a lemon — but if the repair is delayed or doesn't work, it can. Open a recall to see what to do.
Kia Lemon Law by Model
How California's Lemon Law Works for Your Kia
California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) protects you when a new, leased, or certified pre-owned Kia has a substantial defect that the manufacturer or dealer can't repair after a reasonable number of attempts — or when it's been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.
If your vehicle qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement. Best of all, Kia is required to pay your attorney fees on a successful claim — so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.
Estimate your Kia buyback with our free calculatorKia has opted into California's AB 1755 — don't wait
Kia is one of the manufacturers that has opted into California's AB 1755 procedures, which means a shorter filing deadline can apply to your claim — generally within one year of your warranty's expiration, and no later than six years from the vehicle's original delivery date. If your Kia keeps failing, acting promptly protects your rights.
Check if you qualify and see the deadlinesKia Lemon Law FAQs
Is there a deadline to file a Kia claim in California?
Yes. Kia America opted into California’s AB 1755 procedures, so the window is generally one year from your warranty’s expiration and no later than six years from the vehicle’s original delivery date — shorter than the four-year rule that applies to non-opted-in manufacturers.
My Telluride was recalled for a seat fire risk. Does that make it a lemon?
Not automatically — a recall is Kia offering a free fix. But Kia recalled more than 462,000 Tellurides over a front power seat motor that may cause a fire. If the remedy is delayed, or the fix does not hold, a vehicle you cannot safely park is one whose use, value and safety have been substantially impaired.
My EV6 keeps losing its charging system. Is that a claim?
It is one of the strongest EV patterns we see. The ICCU can fail and leave the car unable to charge or even drive, and owners frequently report the replacement part failing too. A component that is replaced and fails again is precisely what the Lemon Law was written for.
Kia extended my engine warranty. Does that end my claim?
No — and it may strengthen it. An extended warranty is Kia acknowledging a known defect. If your engine still knocks, burns oil or stalls after repairs, the extended coverage documents the problem rather than erasing your rights.
What does a Kia lemon law attorney cost?
Nothing out of pocket. Kia pays your attorney fees on a successful claim.
Recent Results
Engine Issues
Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S
Transmission & Engine Issues
Hit-and-Run Collision
Settled in 3 months
EV Charging Issues
Screen Issues
Mercedes-Benz
Jeep 4xe Fire Risk
Tail Light Issues
Window Issues & Rattling
Hybrid Battery & Engine Issues
2024 Chrysler Pacifica
Every case is different and the outcome depends on its own facts and circumstances. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case.
What Our Clients Say
“I worked with Arvin on two separate cases, a personal injury case from a car accident last year and a lemon law case more recently, and I honestly could not have asked for a better attorney. From the beginning, Arvin was extremely responsive, transparent, and easy to work with. He took the time to explain the process clearly, answered every question I had, and made sure I always knew what was going on.”
Lukas Nouri
Google Review
“I've worked with Arvin on multiple cases (lemon law and personal injury) and he has been exceptional every time. He's knowledgeable, responsive, and extremely thorough. He made the entire process straightforward and kept me informed at every step. Most importantly, he delivered strong results and made sure there was nothing left on the table.”
Shaviv Delkhah
Google Review
“This is the best law firm in Woodland Hills hands down! (and I've spoken to a lot of them). Arvin is super helpful and always updated me on my case. Got me paid out pretty quickly too!”
Daniel Friedman
Google Review
“I had a great experience with Mousavi Law. They handled my lemon law claim from start to finish with the utmost professionalism. Their team was incredibly responsive, kept me updated at every step, and made the whole process feel straightforward. Most importantly, they delivered an excellent result!”
Kian Abbassi
Google Review
“Arvin is the most honest lawyer I've ever dealt with. He and his team made lemoning my Range Rover a breeze. I'm thankful for him and he has highest recommendation.”
Aleksandar Gajic
Google Review
“Mousavi Law helped me get the maximum settlement on my car. I'm extremely grateful to Arvin and his team! They were cordial and quick to respond to any of my concerns.”
Misha Semenov
Google Review
“Love Arvin and his firm. Him and his team take the time to support their clients and ensure they receive the best representation. Highly recommended.”
David Khakshooy
Google Review
“Mousavi law recently helped me lemon my Tesla Model Y and they made the process so easy. I was referred to them by a family friend and it was such a great decision to choose them! Highly recommend working with Arvin for the absolute best results!”
Shawn Mines
Google Review
“Highly recommend Arvin for any lemon law issue! My family bought a new Tesla that turned out to have serious ongoing problems despite several repair visits. We were getting stonewalled by corporate, so we contacted this firm. They were quick to respond, very thorough in explaining our rights under the lemon law, and handled everything professionally from start to finish.”
Kasra
Google Review
“Arvin genuinely cared about my case and took the time to explain every step. I never felt rushed or ignored. Professional, thorough, and trustworthy.”
Aria Soltankhah
Google Review
“I've had the pleasure of working with Mousavi Law Firm and they were very professional and took great care of me. I couldn't be happier and would highly recommend giving them a call regarding your personal injury needs.”
Arian Mosazadeh
Google Review
“I had a PI car crash case with MLF and my experience was great. Arvin was always responsive and willing to answer my questions. I hear stories about PI cases taking years, but we were able to recover from the other person's insurance and my own within a year from the accident.”
Jason Mostadim
Google Review
“This guy is an absolute beast with lemon law. Super easy to deal with, always responsive, and clearly knows how to get results. I felt like he actually cared instead of just pushing paperwork. He handled everything, kept me updated, and got it done way faster than I expected.”
Mark Buson
Google Review
“Mousavi Law changed my opinion on lawyers. Such a caring, proactive, and most importantly NOT GREEDY professional.”
Joseph Dafesh
Google Review
“Answered all my questions and closed my case in less than 6 months! Another attorney told me my case was worth nothing and Arvin got me PAID.”
Daniel Panhassi
Google Review
“Amazing communication, always willing to answer my questions. Super responsive and works very quickly.”
Nick Hashemi
Google Review
“Arvin helped me a lot with lemoning my Jeep. He is extremely professional and very polite to deal with! Highly recommend.”
David Acimovic
Google Review
“This law firm was very professional. Arvin assisted us through the whole process without any worry. Any and all questions about our vehicle issues were answered in a timely manner. He was very thorough when explaining each different outcome. I would definitely recommend this law firm to anyone looking to file for a lemon law.”
Mario Valencia
Google Review
“Working with Arvin at Mousavi Law Firm was one of the best business decisions I've made. He took on my vehicle case against a massive auto manufacturer and delivered a flawless result. If you are dealing with a vehicle defect and corporate pushback from an auto manufacturer, do not hesitate to hire Arvin at Mousavi Law Firm.”
Michael Rutchland
Google Review
“I contacted Arvin regarding a legal matter I was dealing with. From the first call, his response time was fast and the process was explained clearly. I never had to chase him down for updates. He kept me informed at every step and handled everything professionally.”
Tyler
Google Review
“Mousavi Law went above and beyond to help settle my case, and I couldn't be more grateful for their work. From the start, they were professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in getting me the best outcome.”
Arshia Mehdian
Google Review
“Major shout out to Arvin for his services regarding my BMW Lemon Law. He had great communication and worked really hard and got me a settlement in under two months. Thank you so much to the entire staff and team. Really appreciate it. Highly recommend!!”
Jacob Shay
Google Review
“Mousavi Law Firm was extremely refreshing to work with after having dealt with other lawyers. Arvin and his team helped me with my lemon case for my Tesla and were absolutely professional with answering all of my questions along with keeping me up to date every step of the way.”
Ashkan Mapar
Google Review
“Best lemon lawyer in Los Angeles. Only lawyer I've had that personally answers my calls and doesn't kick me off to an assistant.”
Shant Goorjian
Google Review
“Super professional and works fast! Had my lemon case settled in 2 months. Highly recommend.”
Michael Amini
Google Review
“Excellent attorney, one who gets the job done as promised, fast and smooth. I would recommend him and his law firm to everyone I know. Thank you Arvin.”
Maryam Moshaie
Google Review
“I had a great experience working with Arvin Mousavi and Mousavi Law Firm on my Jeep Wrangler 4xe lemon law claim. From start to finish, Arvin was professional, knowledgeable, and always kept me informed about what was happening with my case.”
Dillon Bard
Google Review
“Excellent result. Transparent and timely communication. Highly recommend.”
Jamal Baghlani
Google Review
Kia Lemon Law Articles
Lemon Law Resources
Is Your Kia a Lemon?
Free, no-obligation case review. We don't get paid unless you win — and the manufacturer pays our fees.
Call Now: 844-MOUSAVI