Plaintiffs attorneys and at least one car manufacturer have negotiated an end-of-session legislative deal to amend California's  "lemon law," the 42-year-old statute that requires automakers to refund the cost of or replace defective vehicles, sources familiar with the discussions said Friday.

Those involved in the talks declined to disclose specifics of the bill that is expected to be introduced next week. It is expected, however, to address manufacturers' complaints that some lawyers and law firms have exploited the law's provisions to rack up statutory attorneys fees and civil penalties that can be double the amount of an owner's actual damages.