When you spend over $80,000 on a new Airstream Travel Trailer, you expect the quality and safety the brand promises. For one California woman, however, her 2025 Bambi RV quickly turned into a safety nightmare.
Less than two weeks after purchase, with zero miles on the odometer, sewage backup began flooding the shower drain. Airstream sent a “certified” representative to inspect the damage. He suggested she use Clorox, which would damage the pipes, and later blamed the problem on her cooking.
Soon after, an RV lock failure trapped her inside, escalating her situation from frustrating to dangerous. Airstream technicians changed the lock three times, yet the door continued to malfunction.
When the refrigerator stopped working, she returned her RV to Airstream for repairs. Technicians claimed they repaired the refrigerator, lock, and flooding shower drain and offered her a courtesy cleaning. However, when her trailer was returned, none of the issues were fixed and the cleaning had not been performed.
By the time a serious gas leak was detected, Airstream told the owner she was “just paranoid” and refused to reimburse her or buy the unit back. That’s when she decided to take legal action.
Your Lemon Law Rights
When repeated defects, unresolved safety problems, and failed fixes become a warranty breach, consumers are protected by California lemon law. Under both the Song-Beverly Act and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers are required to honor their warranties and correct defects that substantially impair safety, use, or value.
Song-Beverly Act and Implied Warranties
In addition to written warranties, California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act creates automatic legal protections — or implied warranties — when a new consumer product is sold.
Two of the most important implied warranties are merchantability and fitness for use. Under an implied warranty of merchantability, a product must:
- Be fit for ordinary use
- Be of acceptable quality
- Be safe and substantially free from safety issues
- Perform reasonably as intended
This means an RV should be drivable/towable, livable, sanitary, and safe — not trap the owner inside, leak sewage, or release gas.
While merchantability covers “ordinary” use, an implied warranty of fitness covers “specific” use:
- The seller knows the specific purpose for which a product is bought.
- You rely on their expertise in choosing that product.
For example, if a seller knows a buyer is purchasing a trailer for long-term living or remote travel, the law implies the RV must be fit for that use. If the RV fails to meet those requirements, the implied warranty may be breached.
The Song-Beverly Act and Remedies
Under the Song-Beverly Act, manufacturers are given a reasonable opportunity to fix problems. But when repeated repair attempts fail to correct serious defects, the RV may be in nonconformity with the warranty. A manufacturer can also violate the Song-Beverly Act despite performing repairs if the RV remains unmerchantable or unfit for use.
In cases where a manufacturer acts willfully, dismisses known problems, or forces an owner to live with ongoing safety risks, California courts can impose a civil penalty on top of actual damages. This is designed to punish manufacturers and protect consumers from being stuck with unsafe products.
Together, these protections make the Song-Beverly Act one of the strongest consumer warranty laws in the country. When a new RV is not merchantable, fit for use, and cannot be repaired, the burden should never fall on the consumer.
Hidden Venue Clauses and CLRA Violations
Airstream and other manufacturers often attempt to bypass California’s strong consumer protections using hidden venue clauses. These may include an Ohio clause or similar choice of venue to force California residents to litigate out of state.
These tactics are clear Song-Beverly and CLRA violations, designed to make it harder for consumers to pursue their rights. CLRA Section 1770 prevents companies from misleading consumers, warranty concealment, using bait-and-switch tactics, or failing to include mandatory fees in advertised prices.
Don’t let fine print trap you with a lemon. If your RV is defective or unsafe, or the manufacturer is hiding behind deceptive warranty practices, California law is on your side. Contact a consumer protection attorney today to understand your consumer legal remedies and fight back.