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Chevy Silverado, Equinox, Bolt EV, or Tahoe defects in California? Margarian Law has handled 6,000+ lemon law cases. Free case review.
Chevrolet sells some of the highest-volume vehicles in California — from the Silverado pickup to the Equinox SUV to the Bolt EV. That volume has produced a substantial NHTSA recall history, Technical Service Bulletin activity, and class-action litigation across recent model years. If you purchased or leased a Chevrolet in California that continues to have problems after multiple repair attempts under warranty, you may be entitled to relief under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. The Margarian Law Firm has focused exclusively on automotive consumer protection for 20 years, with over $400 million recovered for clients across California.
Each page lists that model's documented defects, its full NHTSA recall history, and what they mean for a California lemon-law claim.
The recurring, documented problem areas across the lineup — the patterns behind many California claims.
Hard shifting, and torque-converter problems in 2015+ Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban — subject of ongoing class-action litigation against GM.
Electronic brake control module, and fuel pump defects across Silverado 1500, 2500HD, and Colorado model years.
GM N262556920): 513 trucks with steel road wheels (RPO RT3) and/or a steel spare (RPO SG8) whose wheel discs may crack at the vent holes and separate, reducing the driver's ability to steer; dealers inspect all four road wheels and the spare and replace as necessary, with owner letters expected September 14, 2026.
Settled Margarian Law cases on Chevrolet vehicles, published with the actual settlement math.
See every published case, with the settlement math shown →
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; results depend on the facts of each case.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires a manufacturer to repurchase or replace a vehicle it cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts under warranty. If your Chevrolet qualifies, the manufacturer — not you — pays the attorney fees.
Tell us what the dealer hasn't been able to fix. We'll tell you if you have a case — for free.
Recent Chevrolet lemon law claims in California have most frequently involved 8L90 8-speed transmission shudder on Silverado and Tahoe, L87 6.2L V8 engine failures (2021–2024 Silverado/Tahoe), Bolt EV high-voltage battery defects, Equinox oil consumption on 2.4L and 1.5L turbocharged engines, and infotainment failures across multiple models. Whether any of these qualifies in your specific case depends on your repair history and warranty status.
California lemon law claims against Chevrolet are filed under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act against General Motors LLC. The process typically begins with gathering all repair orders, confirming warranty status, and documenting the defect history. An attorney who focuses on lemon law can evaluate whether your case qualifies, prepare a formal demand to GM, and represent you through negotiation or litigation if necessary.
An active recall does not automatically make your Chevrolet a lemon, and it does not bar a lemon law claim. If the recall repair does not fully resolve the problem, or if the defect existed and went unresolved despite repair attempts, the recall history can actually strengthen a lemon law claim by documenting the defect.
When a lemon law claim is successful under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the manufacturer is responsible for paying the consumer's reasonable attorney fees and costs separately, in addition to the recovery. This means qualified Chevrolet consumers can pursue representation at no out-of-pocket cost when their case is successful.
No. A recall is GM's offer to fix a known defect at no cost. A lemon law claim is a separate legal action that seeks a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement when the defect substantially impairs the vehicle and GM has been unable to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts. Many Bolt EV owners have pursued California lemon law claims even after recall repairs were attempted.
In a Chevrolet lemon law buyback under California law, General Motors repurchases your vehicle and refunds the purchase price, less a statutory usage fee based on the mileage at the time the defect was first reported. A typical buyback may include reimbursement of payments made, payoff of the remaining loan or lease balance, sales tax, registration fees, finance charges, and documented out-of-pocket costs. Specific amounts depend on the facts of your case; there is no guarantee of any particular result.
Transmission shudder on the 8L90 8-speed automatic in Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban has been the subject of multiple GM Technical Service Bulletins and class-action litigation, which is direct evidence that the manufacturer has acknowledged a defect. If your dealer has been unable to resolve the shudder after multiple attempts, even if they have called it normal, you may have a lemon law claim under California law.
Timelines vary based on the strength of the documentation, GM's response, and whether the case settles or proceeds to litigation. Some cases resolve in a matter of months; others take longer. There is no guaranteed timeline for any particular case.
Yes. California's Lemon Law covers both purchased and leased Chevrolets, including Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, so long as the defect appears during the original manufacturer's warranty and the other statutory requirements are met.
Compensation under California's Lemon Law may include a manufacturer buyback, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement, depending on the facts of your case. Compensation may also include reimbursement of related expenses, payoff of loan or lease balances, and recovery of attorney fees and costs paid separately by GM when the case is successful. There is no guarantee of any particular outcome; results vary based on the facts of each matter.
A closer look at the Chevrolet issues our attorneys have covered.
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