Overview

If your 2024 Chevy Traverse has recurring problems—like rough shifting, warning lights, electrical glitches, or stalling—you may have rights under California’s lemon law.

California law can force the manufacturer to repurchase or replace a defective vehicle after a reasonable number of repair attempts . An experienced CA lemon law attorney can help you act quickly and protect your claim.

Do You Qualify?

  • Purchased or leased in CA: The vehicle must be bought or leased in California (or by a CA resident from a manufacturer with a CA repair facility).
  • Personal use: Primarily for personal, family, or household use. Small businesses may qualify if the GVWR is under 10,000 lbs and they own/lease 5 or fewer vehicles.
  • Under manufacturer warranty: Problems first occurred during the Chevy new-vehicle warranty (typically 3yr/36k miles bumper-to-bumper; 5yr/60k miles powertrain).
  • Substantial defect: The issue affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety (e.g., engine, transmission, brakes, steering, airbag, repeated electrical failures).
  • Reasonable repair attempts: You gave Chevy/its dealer a fair chance to fix it. Keep all repair orders and dates.
  • Authorized dealer repairs: Warranty repairs should be performed by an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
  • Documented history: Consistent records of complaints, diagnoses, and days out of service.

How CA Law Applies

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act protects new vehicles with warranty defects. The Tanner Consumer Protection Act creates a presumption of a lemon if, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first):

You can still win even if you’re outside these numbers—the presumption just makes proof easier.

Remedies include a buyback (refund of price, taxes, fees, incidental damages, minus a statutory mileage offset) or a replacement . The mileage offset is typically: purchase price × (miles at first repair ÷ 120,000).

If the manufacturer willfully violates the law, courts may add a civil penalty up to 2× your actual damages. The manufacturer must pay your reasonable attorney’s fees if you win.

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same issue, or
  • 2+ attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, or
  • 30+ total days out of service for repairs.

Step-by-Step: What to Do

  1. Step 1: Document and repair. Take the Traverse to a Chevy dealer for every issue. Describe symptoms clearly, ask they be written on the repair order, and keep copies. Save photos/videos, invoices, and days out of service. Check your VIN for recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
  2. Step 2: Notify the manufacturer. Open a case with Chevrolet Customer Assistance and provide repair orders. If your warranty requires written notice, send a dated letter or email and keep proof. Ask for a buyback or replacement if problems persist.
  3. Step 3: Call a CA lemon law attorney. Get a free case review. A lawyer can evaluate eligibility, calculate the mileage offset, and pursue buyback/replacement or a cash settlement. In CA, the manufacturer generally pays your attorney’s fees if you prevail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using independent shops for warranty issues: Go to an authorized Chevy dealer so repairs count toward your claim.
  • Leaving without paperwork: Always get a repair order showing your complaint, dates, mileage, and the dealer’s findings.
  • Downplaying safety symptoms: Clearly report stalls, loss of power, brake/steering issues, or airbag warnings.
  • Waiting too long: Deadlines apply. Claims are stronger when pursued promptly after repeated failures.
  • Accepting a “trade assist” too quickly: Dealer trade-ins often underpay compared to a statutory buyback and may require a broad release.
  • Modifying the vehicle: Aftermarket tunes or parts can complicate warranty coverage.

What You Should Do Next

Gather your purchase/lease agreement, warranty booklet, and all repair orders. List each defect, repair dates, and days out of service.

Schedule another dealer visit if the issue continues, then contact a California lemon law attorney to review buyback, replacement, or settlement options.

This is general information, not legal advice. A CA lawyer can give guidance based on your specific 2024 Chevy Traverse facts.