What Are Lemon Laws and How Do They Work?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), new and used car buyers in the United States file thousands of warranty-related complaints each year. The FTC enforces the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.), a federal law that protects consumers when manufacturers fail to honor written warranties.

Alongside federal protection, every U.S. state has its own lemon law to protect buyers from defective vehicles. Buying a car that breaks down repeatedly within weeks feels frustrating, expensive, and unfair. Lemon laws exist to protect consumers in exactly that situation.

What Are Lemon Laws?

Lemon laws are consumer protection laws that require manufacturers to repair, replace, or refund defective vehicles that cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

In simple words, lemon laws protect buyers from defective new cars — and in some states, defective used cars — when the manufacturer fails to fix serious problems under warranty.

A vehicle becomes a “lemon” when:

• The defect substantially impairs use, safety, or value
• The defect occurs within a specific time or mileage limit
• The manufacturer cannot fix the problem after multiple repair attempts

Each U.S. state has its own lemon law statute. Federal law provides additional protection.

The Federal Lemon Law: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, passed in 1975, protects consumers nationwide.

This federal law applies to products costing more than $10 that come with written warranties, including motor vehicles.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act:

• Manufacturers must honor written warranties
• Consumers can sue for breach of warranty
• Consumers can recover attorney fees if they win

This law does not replace state lemon laws. It strengthens consumer rights.

State Lemon Laws: Why They Matter?

All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have lemon laws, but details differ.

State	Primary Coverage Focus	Key Provisions & Notes
Alabama	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; applies to self-propelled vehicles.
Alaska	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty period; excludes off-road vehicles.
Arizona	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; includes a specific used car warranty law (15 days/500 miles).
Arkansas	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; includes certain chassis for motor homes.
California	New & Used (w/ Warranty)	Song-Beverly Act: Broadest protections; covers used cars if sold with a written warranty.
Colorado	New Vehicles	1 year or warranty period; excludes motor homes and motorcycles.
Connecticut	New & Used	2 years or 24,000 miles; has a specific statutory warranty for used cars.
Delaware	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty period; applies to cars, motorcycles, and light trucks.
Florida	New Vehicles	First 24 months of ownership; covers leased vehicles; excludes off-road.
Georgia	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; includes a “Lemon Law Rights Period.”
Hawaii	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; requires manufacturer-funded arbitration.
Idaho	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; covers vehicles under 12,000 lbs.
Illinois	New Vehicles	1 year or 12,000 miles; does not cover used vehicles or motor homes.
Indiana	New Vehicles	18 months or 18,000 miles; covers cars, light trucks, and motorcycles.
Iowa	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; covers motorcycles and motor home chassis.
Kansas	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to vehicles under 12,000 lbs.
Kentucky	New Vehicles	1 year or 12,000 miles; excludes conversion vans and motor homes.
Louisiana	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; includes personal watercraft and motor homes.
Maine	New & Used	3 years or 18,000 miles; includes specific used car dealer disclosures.
Maryland	New Vehicles	2 years or 18,000 miles; applies to cars, light trucks, and motorcycles.
Massachusetts	New & Used	Strong used car lemon law based on mileage at time of sale.
Michigan	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; excludes motor homes and buses.
Minnesota	New & Used	Covers new cars for 2 years; has separate “Used Car Warranty Law.”
Mississippi	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; excludes off-road and motor homes.
Missouri	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to all new motor vehicles.
Montana	New Vehicles	2 years or 18,000 miles; covers motorcycles and quadricycles.
Nebraska	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to cars and light trucks.
Nevada	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
New Hampshire	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; includes motorcycles and off-road vehicles.
New Jersey	New & Used	2 years or 24,000 miles; has a separate Used Car Lemon Law.
New Mexico	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
New York	New & Used	2 years or 18,000 miles; includes a robust Used Car Lemon Law.
North Carolina	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; applies to cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
North Dakota	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; excludes off-road and motor homes.
Ohio	New Vehicles	1 year or 18,000 miles; applies to motorcycles and RVs.
Oklahoma	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
Oregon	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; covers motorcycles and motor homes.
Pennsylvania	New Vehicles	1 year or 12,000 miles; excludes motorcycles and off-road.
Rhode Island	New & Used	1 year or 15,000 miles; has a separate Used Car Lemon Law.
South Carolina	New Vehicles	1 year or 12,000 miles; excludes off-road and motorcycles.
South Dakota	New Vehicles	1 year or 12,000 miles; covers vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
Tennessee	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to vehicles under 10,000 lbs.
Texas	New Vehicles	Must file via TX Dept. of Motor Vehicles; covers cars, trucks, RVs.
Utah	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to cars, motorcycles, and RVs.
Vermont	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to all motor vehicles.
Virginia	New Vehicles	18 months from delivery; covers cars, motorcycles, and RVs.
Washington	New Vehicles	2 years or 24,000 miles; includes motorcycles over 750cc.
Washington, D.C.	New Vehicles	18 months or 18,000 miles; applies to all motor vehicles.
West Virginia	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to cars and light trucks.
Wisconsin	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to heavy-duty trucks and RVs.
Wyoming	New Vehicles	1 year or express warranty; applies to all motor vehicles.

You must check your specific state requirements because deadlines and repair attempt numbers vary.

What Qualifies as a Lemon in the USA?

A vehicle qualifies as a lemon when it meets 4 main conditions:

1. The Vehicle Has a Substantial Defect

The defect must affect:

• Safety (brake failure, steering problems)
• Use (engine stalls repeatedly)
• Value (major transmission failure)

Minor cosmetic issues like paint scratches usually do not qualify.

2. The Defect Occurs During the Warranty Period

Most state lemon laws apply within:

• 12 to 24 months
• Or 12,000 to 24,000 miles

Whichever comes first.

3. Reasonable Repair Attempts Were Made

Most states define “reasonable” as:

• 3 to 4 repair attempts for the same issue
• OR 1 repair attempt for a serious safety defect
• OR 30 cumulative days in the repair shop

For example:
Your car stays in the dealership repair shop for 35 total days within the first year. That meets the 30-day rule in many states.

4. Manufacturer Failed to Fix the Problem

The defect must still exist after repair attempts.

Learn More: What Is a Dram Shop Law? Legal Impact on Alcohol Sales

How Lemon Laws Work: Step-by-Step Process?

Here’s exactly how lemon laws work in the United States.

Step 1: Report the Problem Immediately

Document the defect as soon as it appears. Visit an authorized dealership for repair.

Step 2: Keep Written Records

Save:

• Repair invoices
• Work orders
• Warranty documents
• Communication emails

Without written proof, your claim becomes weak.

Step 3: Allow Required Repair Attempts

Follow your state’s repair attempt rule. Do not delay service.

Step 4: Send Formal Notice

Some states require written notice to the manufacturer before filing a claim.

Step 5: File a Lemon Law Claim

Options include:

• State arbitration program
• Manufacturer arbitration program
• Civil lawsuit

Step 6: Resolution

If successful, you receive:

• Refund (buyback)
• Replacement vehicle

Refund vs Replacement: What Do You Get?

Most state lemon laws offer two remedies.

1. Refund (Buyback)

Manufacturers must repay:

• Purchase price
• Taxes
• Registration fees
• Finance charges
• Incidental expenses

Minus a mileage usage deduction.

Example Calculation

Car price: $40,000
Miles before first defect: 5,000
State mileage divisor: 120,000

Usage deduction = (5,000 ÷ 120,000) × $40,000
= $1,666

Refund = $38,334

2. Replacement Vehicle

Manufacturer provides a comparable new vehicle at no extra cost.

Do Used Cars Qualify Under Lemon Laws?

Used vehicles qualify in some states.

States like:

• California
• New York
• New Jersey

Provide limited used car lemon law protection.

However, federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies to used cars that still have a manufacturer’s warranty.

Vehicles Covered Under Lemon Laws

Covered vehicles often include:

• Passenger cars
• SUVs
• Pickup trucks
• Vans

Some states include:

• Motorhomes
• Motorcycles
• Electric vehicles

Commercial vehicles over certain weight limits often do not qualify.

Time Limits to File a Lemon Law Claim

Time limits vary by state.

Common limits include:

• 18 to 24 months from purchase
• 12,000 to 24,000 miles
• 4-year statute of limitations for lawsuits

You lose protection if you miss deadlines.

Arbitration vs Lawsuit

Many manufacturers require arbitration before court.

Arbitration is:

• Faster
• Less formal
• Usually free

However, arbitration decisions may limit further legal options.

A lawsuit allows:

• Jury trial
• Attorney representation
• Potentially larger compensation

Common Mistakes That Ruin Lemon Law Claims

Avoid these 7 mistakes:

1. Waiting too long to report defects
2. Using unauthorized repair shops
3. Losing repair paperwork
4. Modifying the vehicle
5. Ignoring manufacturer recall notices
6. Failing to send written notice
7. Exceeding mileage/time limits

What Defects Qualify Under Lemon Law?

Qualifying defects include:

• Engine stalling
• Transmission slipping
• Brake failure
• Steering malfunction
• Electrical system failure
• Battery defects in electric vehicles

Non-qualifying issues:

• Wear and tear
• Cosmetic defects
• Owner-caused damage

Electric Vehicles and Lemon Laws

Electric vehicle lemon law claims increased significantly between 2020 and 2025.

Common EV defects include:

• Battery range loss
• Charging system failure
• Software malfunctions

Most state lemon laws apply to EVs the same way as gasoline vehicles.

How Long Does a Lemon Law Case Take?

Typical timelines:

• Arbitration: 30 to 60 days
• Settlement negotiation: 60 to 90 days
• Court case: 6 to 18 months

Many cases settle before trial.

Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney?

Most lemon law attorneys work on contingency.

You pay $0 upfront.
Manufacturer pays attorney fees if you win.

Hiring an attorney increases success rates significantly, especially in complex cases.

Final Thoughts

Lemon laws protect consumers from defective vehicles that manufacturers fail to repair. Federal law through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act strengthens those protections. State lemon laws provide detailed procedures, deadlines, and compensation formulas.

You deserve a safe, reliable vehicle. Document every repair, act quickly, and understand your state’s lemon law rules before time runs out. A defective vehicle costs money, time, and safety. Lemon laws exist to restore fairness in the marketplace.

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