The law suit names Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan as defendants.
It was filed by California’s Attorney-General, Bill Lockyer in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
The claim alleges these carmakers are among the world's largest contributors to global warming and the adverse impacts on California.
It estimates the impact on the environment, economy, agriculture and public health is costing millions of dollars.
"Vehicle emissions are the single most rapidly growing source of the carbon emissions contributing to global warming,” it says.
“Yet the federal government and automakers have refused to act.”
“It is time to hold these companies responsible for their contribution to this crisis," he said.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers seemed undaunted by the prospect of court proceedings, dismissing it as a nuisance suit.
Massive problem
California is America’s richest and most populous US state with a population of more than 35 million people.
Together they have put some 32 million vehicles on the roads.
The biggest metropolitan area, Los Angeles, usually tops the list of the most polluted US cities.
California’s Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has broken away from federal government policy on environmental issues.
Mr Schwarzenegger has said he will sign legislation committing to greenhouse gas reductions in line with the Kyoto Protocol.
America has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol which sets out measures for tackling greenhouse gas pollution.
California is also spending millions of dollars on planning, monitoring, and infrastructure changes to address a large spectrum of current and anticipated impacts."