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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 26Pt. 5Ch. 2Art. 2§ 43205 Vehicle Emissions Warranty Requirements

§ 43205 Vehicle Emissions Warranty Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 43205 Vehicle Emissions Warranty Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Car makers must promise your car won't pollute too much for at least 3 years or 50,000 miles.
  • •If a part that helps control pollution costs more than $300 to replace, the car maker must cover it for 7 years or 70,000 miles.
  • •The promise doesn't count if you break your car on purpose or don't take care of it.
  • •Motorcycles don't follow these same rules.

Example

You buy a new car, and after 2 years, a special part that controls pollution breaks.

The car company must fix it for free if the part costs more than $300 to replace, as long as you didn't cause the problem by crashing or not taking care of the car.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 43205 Vehicle Emissions Warranty Requirements

(a)  Commencing with the 1990 model-year, the manufacturer of each light-duty and medium-duty motor vehicle and motor vehicle engine shall warrant to the ultimate purchaser and each subsequent purchaser that the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine meets all of the following requirements: (1)  Is designed, built, and equipped so as to conform with the applicable emissions standards specified in this part. (2)  Is free from defects in materials and workmanship which cause the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine to fail to conform with applicable requirements specified in this part for three years or 50,000 miles, whichever first occurs. (3)  Will, for a period of three years or 50,000 miles, whichever first occurs, pass a test established under Section 44012, but that the warranty shall not apply if the manufacturer demonstrates that the failure of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine to pass the test was directly caused by the abuse, neglect, or improper maintenance or repair of the vehicle or engine. (4)  Is free from defects in materials and workmanship in emission related parts which, at the time of certification by the state board, are estimated by the manufacturer to cost individually more than three hundred dollars ($300) to replace, for a period of seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever first occurs. (b)  The state board shall, by regulation, periodically revise the three hundred dollar ($300) replacement cost level specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) in accordance with the consumer price index, as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (c)  For purposes of this section and Sections 43204 and 43205.5, a motorcycle is not a light-duty vehicle. (Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1154, Sec. 4.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

regulationpollutionwarrantyvehicleemissiondutyworkmanshipunited states bureau

Related Statutes

  • § 43101.5 Vehicle Emission Standards Limits
  • § 43102 Vehicle Emission Certification Standards
  • § 43200 Vehicle Emission Label Requirement
  • § 43205.5 Heavy Vehicle Emission Warranty
  • § 43210 Assembly Line Emission Testing

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 43205.
View Official Source