Lemon Law Basics

Updated on July 9th, 2024 Author: Sergei Lemberg

How Lemon Laws Work: Your Free Action Plan

Step 1: Be Prepared

• There is a time limit on Lemon Laws (which vary by state), so it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may get stuck with your defective lemon.
• Your lemon’s repair history is essential for successfully winning compensation. Continue to bring your vehicle in for repairs, and keep detailed records of what defect(s) the manufacturer attempts to fix; how many times the manufacturer attempts to fix the same defect; and how long your vehicle is out of service for repairs.
• If time has run out for Lemon Laws to help you, Lemberg Law can still help you take advantage of other useful warranty laws such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Call today for a free case evaluation!

Step 2: Find Out if You Qualify for Lemon Laws

• If you’ve noticed a defect with your vehicle that affects its safety; use; or value, call Lemberg Law today for a zero-cost, obligation-free consultation. Our expert legal team will evaluate your case and walk you through how Lemberg Law can help you.
• It’s best to take advantage of professional legal advice before deciding whether to take action. However, for a quick look at the basic qualifications for lemons, read through the section below.

Step 3: Take Action and Win Free Compensation

• Once you’ve confirmed that your vehicle is a lemon, Lemberg Law can help you file a claim or a complaint against the manufacturer or dealership that sold you your lemon.
• A successful case can result in a full refund, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement for your lemon. Furthermore, the responsible manufacturer or dealership must cover any towing or rental fees that your lemon caused.
• What’s more, the manufacturer or dealership must cover your court costs and attorney fees. This means Lemberg Law can win you the justice and compensation you deserve, and you won’t have to pay a dime for our expert legal services.

What Are the Basic Lemon Qualifications?

To be a lemon, your vehicle needs to meet these basic requirements:

• Your vehicle must be owned and operated by individuals or families for personal use.
• Your vehicle must have a “substantial defect,” covered by warranty, that occurs within a certain time after purchase. This time frame will depend on your state and your car’s warranty.

Additionally, if any of the following has occurred throughout your vehicle’s repair history, you may have a lemon:

• Your vehicle has been out of service for over thirty days while the manufacturer attempts to fix a problem covered under warranty.
• The manufacturer or dealership has attempted to repair the same serious safety defect two times in thirty days.
• The manufacturer or dealership has attempted to repair the same defect (that is not a serious safety defect) four times in thirty days.

The above qualifications provide a general outline for determining if your vehicle is a lemon. However, the only way to know for sure if you can take advantage of Lemon Laws is to speak to an expert Lemon Law attorney. If you have noticed a defect with your vehicle that affects its safety; use; or value, call Lemberg Law today for a free consultation. 

About the Author:

Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."

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