Quick answer
Partly. California's lemon law treats the chassis, chassis cab, and drivetrain of a new motorhome as a "new motor vehicle," so the buyback-or-replace rules apply to defects there. The living quarters aren't part of that definition, but they're still consumer goods under the Song-Beverly Act, so the warranty must be honored and repeated failures can still lead to replacement or reimbursement.
Key takeaways
- Motorhome chassis, chassis cab, and the parts devoted to propulsion are covered as a new motor vehicle.
- The living quarters (cabinets, plumbing, slide-outs, appliances) are excluded from that definition.
- Living-quarters defects are still covered by Song-Beverly's rules for warranted consumer goods.
- RVs often have more than one warrantor, such as the chassis maker and the coach builder. Each must honor its own warranty.
- Keep every repair order, and note which manufacturer's warranty each repair was under.
What counts as a "new motor vehicle"
California's lemon law definition includes "the chassis, chassis cab, and that portion of a motor home devoted to its propulsion," but not "any portion designed, used, or maintained primarily for human habitation" (Civil Code § 1793.22(e)). Engine, transmission, brakes, steering, and chassis electrical problems fall on the motor vehicle side.
What about the living quarters?
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers more than cars. It applies to consumer goods sold with an express warranty. If the warrantor can't fix a covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts, it must replace the goods or reimburse the buyer, minus an amount for use before the problem was discovered (Civil Code § 1793.2(d)(1)). That gives RV owners a path for persistent slide-out, roof leak, plumbing, or electrical problems in the coach.
Why RV claims are more complex
- Two or more warranties: the chassis maker and the coach builder usually issue separate warranties.
- Dealer repairs: the dealer may work under both warranties, so repair orders need to show which one applied.
- Time in the shop: RVs often wait weeks for parts, which can matter for the 30-day presumption on the motor vehicle side.
What to do next
- Gather both warranties (chassis and coach) and every repair order.
- Separate the problems into drivetrain/chassis issues and living-quarters issues.
- Add up the days the RV has been at the dealer for repairs.
- Request a free case review.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- California Civil Code § 1793.22 (definition of new motor vehicle, including motorhomes)
- California Civil Code § 1793.2 (repair, replace, or reimburse)
This website provides general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your specific facts.
More on this topic: California lemon law overview