Lemon Law Info

Lemon Laws
were enacted to protect consumers from products that are plagued with serious defects. If an item cannot be satisfactorily repaired within a certain timeframe — usually within the warranty period - or if the item is not as good as new after so many repairs, it is considered a "lemon."

Consumers who find themselves stuck with lemons can find redress through lemon laws. Each state has its own version of these laws and requires consumers to take certain actions in order to remedy the situation.

There are different lemon laws that cover a wide array of products. For example, if you purchase or lease a vehicle, which subsequently develops one or more defects within the first year of purchase, that vehicle would likely be covered by your state's lemon law regarding new vehicles. The defect must be significant, and must be something that severely affects the safety, operation, or value of your vehicle.
Like most laws, lemon laws differ by state, so examine local guidelines carefully to determine what action you need to take to protect your investment.

A standard rule is that any vehicle that is not in working order for 30 days or more, or any vehicle that has required repair of the same defect on more than four occasions within the first year of purchase, is covered by a lemon law.



Some manufacturers will attempt to convince you that you waived your rights when you signed the purchase or lease contract, because of a clause that was inserted into the agreement. Any such clause or waiver is invalid, and lemon laws still apply in full force.

The manufacturer may also try to persuade you to engage in mediation rather than going to court. You are not required to participate unless the process complies with rules set out by the Federal Trade Commission. In some states, you must use mediation before suing under lemon laws, if the process is certified by that state's Department of Transportation. Even then, you are not required to accept any settlement that does not satisfy you.

As with most legal matters, it is wise to consult with a licensed, competent attorney in your area that knows the details of the law. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and do not charge a fee unless you win the case.

They even seek attorney's fees from the manufacturer, and the fees are usually granted to the prevailing party.

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Lemon Law Summaries

Lemon Law Summaries

  • Information derived from State and Federal Lemon Laws.
  • Generally, Repair Attempts may refer to one or more attempts to fix the same defect or multiple defects within the entire product.
  • Warranty Period refers to the Manufacturer's Express Warranty. Where the Coverage Period lists more than 1 option, the period applies to that option which occurs first.
  • Refer to Lemon Law Statutes for detailed information on the State and Federal Lemon Laws.
  • In most States, you will need to hire an attorney and take the manufacturer (not the dealer) to Court in order to resolve a Lemon Law dispute. If a State utilizes an Arbitration Board to resolve disputes, you sometimes must first present your case to the Arbitration Board (lawyer not required) and if you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may then sue in a Court of Law. However, some arbitration programs are not administered by the State but instead are private programs; click here to read an important article about these programs before participating.
  • Even if you don't think you have a lemon under these statutes, you may be a victim of auto fraud. Click here to learn about your basic consumer fraud rights and for important tips on how to prevent yourself from being victimized.

Location

Lemon Law Coverage

Repair Interval and Coverage Period

All StatesConsumers everywhere are protected by the Federal Lemon Law which applies to all consumer products, including automoblile, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and all other ordinary consumer products including computers and household appliances. 3 to 4 repairs for the same problem, or 6 to 8 repairs to the entire product during the warranty period.
Warranty period + up to 4 additional years.

Alabama

Every vehicle intended primarily for use and operation on the public highways which is self-propelled. Excludes motor homes or any vehicle with a GVW of 10,000 pounds or more.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

1 year or 12,000 miles

Alaska

Any land vehicle having four or more wheels, that is self-propelled by a motor, is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes, and is required to be registered. Does not include a tractor, farm vehicle, or a vehicle designed primarily for off-road use.

3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Arizona

A self-propelled vehicle designated primarily for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways. Only the chassis portion of a motor home is covered.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period, 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Arkansas

Any self-propelled vehicle licensed, purchased, or leased and primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public streets and highways, but does not include mopeds, motorcycles, the living facilities of a motor home, or vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW. The 10,000 pound limit does not apply to motor homes.

1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts for the same defect or 5 repair attempts for separate problems, or 30 calendar days out of service.

2 years or 24,000 miles.

California

A new motor vehicle that is used or bought for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Includes the chassis portion of motor homes.

2 repair attempts for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

18 months or 18,000 miles.

Colorado

A self-propelled private passenger vehicle, including pickup trucks and vans, designed primarily for travel on the public highways and used to carry not more than 10 persons. Excludes motor homes and motorcycles.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Connecticut

Passenger and commercial motor vehicles.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

2 years or 18,000 miles.

Delaware

Passenger motor vehicles. Does not include motor homes (other than the chassis) or motorcycles.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

District of
Columbia

Any vehicle sold or registered that is designed for transporting persons. Excludes buses, motorcycles, motor homes and recreational vehicles.

4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service.

2 years or 18,000 miles.

Florida

A new vehicle that is purchased or leased primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Does not include vehicles run only on tracks, off-road vehicles, trucks over ten thousand pounds gross weight, the living facilities of recreational vehicles or motorcycles or mopeds.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

24 months.

Georgia

Any self-propelled vehicle, primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways, that was leased, purchased or registered. Applies only to the chassis portion of motor homes. Does not include motorcycles or trucks with 10,000 pounds or more GVW.

1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems.

1 year or 12,000 miles.

Hawaii

A self-propelled vehicle primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over public streets and highways which is used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Does not include mopeds, motorcycles, or motor scooters, or vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW.

1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period, 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Idaho

A new motor vehicle used for personal business use or personal, family or household purposes. Does not include a motorcycle, farm tractor, trailer or any motor vehicle with a gross laden weight over 12,000 pounds.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period, 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Illinois

New cars. Light trucks and vans under 8,000 pounds. Recreational vehicles excluding trailers. Excludes motorcycles.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

1 year or 12,000 miles.

Indiana

Any self-propelled vehicle that has a declared gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds and is intended primarily for use and operation on public highways. Does not include conversion vans, motor homes, farm machinery, motorcycles, mopeds, snowmobiles, or vehicles designed primarily for offroad use.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

18 months or 18,000 miles.

Iowa

A self-propelled vehicle purchased or leased and primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over public streets and highways, but does not include mopeds, motorcycles, motor homes, or vehicles over ten thousand pounds GVW.

1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems.

2 years or 24,000 miles.

Kansas

A new motor vehicle which is sold or leased, and which is registered for a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less. Does not include the customized parts of motor vehicles which have been added or modified by second stage manufacturers, first stage converters or second stage converters.

4 repair attempts for the same defect, or 10 repair attempts for seperate problems or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Kentucky

All vehicles except conversion vans, motor homes, mopeds, motorcycles, farm machinery and vehicles with more than 2 axles.

4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service.

1 year or 12,000 miles.

Louisiana

All vehicles under 10,000 pounds except motor homes, motorcycles, and vehicles used for commercial purposes only.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Maine

Any vehicle purchased or leased. Excludes commercial vehicles over 8,000 pounds.

3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service

2 years or 18,000 miles.

Maryland

Any passenger car or truck with a rated capacity of 1 ton or less.

1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems.

15 months or 15,000 miles. 12 months or 12,000 miles for leased vehicles.

Massachusetts

All vehicles, except off-road vehicles, motor homes, motorcycles, and vehicles used for commercial purposes.

3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service.

1 year or 15,000 miles.

Michigan

Any new car, van or truck bought by a resident of Michigan for personal or family use.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service

Warranty period or 1 year.

Minnesota

A new motor vehicle used for personal, family, or household purposes at least 40 percent of the time.

1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service for other problems.

Warranty period or 2 years.

Mississippi

Vehicles used primarily for personal, family or household purposes. Excludes off-road vehicles, mopeds, motorcycles. Includes motor home chassis.

3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Missouri

A new motor vehicle, primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes. Does not include commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, mopeds, motorcycles or recreational vehicles.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Montana

Any vehicle, including the nonresidential portion of a motor home, propelled by its own power, designed primarily to transport persons or property upon the public highways. Does not include trucks with 10,000 pounds or more GVW or motorcycles.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service

2 years or 18,000 miles.

Nebraska

A new motor vehicle normally used for personal, family, household, or business purposes, excluding motor homes.

4 repair attempts or 40 days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Nevada

A new motor vehicle normally used for personal, family or household purposes, except a motor home or off-road vehicle.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

New Hampshire

Any 4-wheel motor vehicle with a gross weight not exceeding 9,000 pounds. Also includes off highway recreational vehicles, mopeds and motorcycles.

3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service

Warranty period *plus* 1 year.

New Jersey

Passenger automobiles and motorcycles. Includes the non-living portions of motor homes.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

2 years or 18,000 miles.

New Mexico

A passenger motor vehicle including an automobile, pickup truck, motorcycle or van normally used for personal, family or household purposes with a gross vehicle weight less than 10,000 pounds.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

New York

Any non-commercial motor vehicle purchased or leased, except for motorcycles, certain motor homes, and off-road vehicles.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

2 years or 18,000 miles.

North Carolina

Any new motor vehicle other than a house trailer, provided that the vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more. This includes pickup trucks, motorcycles and most vans.

4 repair attempts or more than 20 days out of service during any 12 month period.

2 years or 24,000 miles.

North Dakota

Passenger motor vehicles and trucks 10,000 pounds GVW or less, normally used for personal, family or household purposes.

3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Ohio

Passenger car, light truck (no more than one ton load capacity and not used in business), or motorcycle. Also includes chassis portion of motor homes.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 8 repair attempts for different problems. 1 attempt to repair condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.

1 year or 18,000 miles.

Oklahoma

Any motor driven vehicle required to be registered, excluding vehicles above 10,000 pounds GVW and the living facilities of motor homes.

4 repair attempts or 45 days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Oregon

A new motor vehicle normally used for personal, family or household purposes.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

1 year or 12,000 miles.

Pennsylvania

Vehicles used primarily for personal, family or household purposes except motor homes, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service

Warranty period, 1 year or 12,000 miles.

Rhode Island

An automobile, truck, motorcycle, or van having a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service

1 year or 15,000 miles.

South Carolina

Passenger motor vehicles including cars, vans, and small trucks.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service

1 year or 12,000 miles.

South Dakota

All vehicles intended primarily for use and operation on the public highways which is self-propelled. Does not include motor homes or vehicles with a GVW of 10,000 pounds or more.

4 repair attempts plus 1 final attempt.

1 year or 12,000 miles.

Tennessee

Any motor vehicle not including motorized bicycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles or off-road vehicles and vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service

Warranty period or 1 year.

Texas

New vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, motor homes and towable recreational vehicles.

4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service. 2 repair attempts for a serious safety hazard.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Utah

A car or truck weighing less than 12,000 pounds, or a motor home.

4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Vermont

Passenger motor vehicles and trucks under 10,000 pounds GVW. Does not include snowmobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, or the living portion of recreational vehicles.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period.

Virginia

A motor vehicle used in substantial part for personal, family, or household purposes.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 1 repair attempt for a serious safety defect.

18 months.

Washington

Any new self-propelled vehicle, including a new motorcycle, primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways. Does not include living portions of motor homes or trucks with 19,000 or more GVW.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 attempts for a serious safety defect.

2 years or 24,000 miles.

West Virginia

Passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, vans and motor home chassis used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 1 attempt for a condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Wisconsin

All vehicles except mopeds, semi-trailers or trailers designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor.

4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service

Warranty period or 1 year.

Wyoming

All vehicles under 10,000 lbs. GVW.

3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service

1 year.

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