Oklahoma Lemon Law Legal Help Guide

Updated on July 2nd, 2024 Author: Sergei Lemberg

Have you recently bought or leased a vehicle in Oklahoma with serious mechanical problems? If your vehicle has significant defects, Oklahoma’s Lemon Law can offer you protection. This law ensures you receive a replacement or a refund for your defective vehicle.

What is the Lemon Law in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma’s Lemon Law provides remedies for consumers who buy or lease new vehicles with substantial defects. According to the law, if a new vehicle has a serious issue affecting its use, safety, or value, and the dealer or manufacturer cannot fix it after a reasonable number of attempts, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon. The Lemon law protects consumers from the financial and safety risks associated with owning a defective vehicle.

Vehicles Covered Under the Oklahoma Lemon Law

The Oklahoma Lemon Law applies to new and leased vehicles registered in Oklahoma. In addition, it covers any passenger car or truck with a rated capacity of one ton or less.

Vehicles covered include:

• Passenger cars
• SUVs
• Vans
• Trucks (up to 3/4 ton)
• Motorcycles

The vehicle must have been purchased or leased primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Additionally, the coverage extends to the original owner or lessee and subsequent owners who acquire the vehicle within the warranty period.

Oklahoma’s Lemon Law mandates that manufacturers must repair new cars to meet all express warranties either within the warranty period or within one year of purchase. Therefore, you are required to give the dealer or manufacturer a “reasonable number of attempts” to fix the vehicle, which Oklahoma law typically recognizes as four attempts.

Repair Interval and Coverage Period

For braking or steering system issues, the vehicle requires one repair attempt. For other problems, the vehicle needs four repair attempts or must be out of service for a total of 30 calendar days. The coverage period extends to one year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Criteria for Lemon Law Protection

To qualify as a lemon under Oklahoma law, the vehicle must meet specific criteria:

Defect Occurrence

The defect must occur within the first year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Reasonable Repair Attempts

The manufacturer or dealer must have made at least four attempts to repair the same defect.

Out of Service

If the vehicle remains out of service for a total of 30 days or more due to repairs, it qualifies as a lemon.

Significant Defect

The defect must significantly impair the vehicle’s use, market value, or safety.

Documenting the Defects

When dealing with a potential lemon, you must document everything properly. Here’s what you should keep track of:

Repair Records

Keep detailed records of all repair attempts, including dates, the nature of the defect, and the repairs performed.

Communication

Save copies of all communication with the dealer or manufacturer regarding the defect and repair attempts.

Warranty Information

Keep the warranty information and any documentation related to the purchase or lease of the vehicle.

Steps to Take if You Have a Lemon

1. Take your vehicle in for repairs as outlined above.
2. Notify the Manufacturer: If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, notify the manufacturer. Outline the defects and repair attempts in a certified letter.
3. Request a Refund or Replacement: If the manufacturer cannot fix the defect after a reasonable number of attempts, you can request a replacement vehicle or a refund. The refund should cover the purchase price minus a reasonable allowance for use.
4. File a Complaint: If the manufacturer denies your request, you can file a complaint with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office or seek legal assistance.

Options

• Going to Court: Resolving a lemon law claim in court is an option, but there may be faster and less costly alternatives.
• Settlement: Many lemon law cases are settled out of court. Negotiations can occur at any point during litigation, and courts often have procedures to assist with these discussions.
• Arbitration: In arbitration, both parties choose a neutral third party to resolve their dispute. Arbitration can be either binding or non-binding, based on state rules and agreed terms.
• Mediation: Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps both sides negotiate a settlement. The mediator facilitates discussions but does not make a binding decision.

Understanding the Oklahoma Lemon Law

In Oklahoma, lemon vehicles fall under the Oklahoma Lemon Law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal lemon law), or both. These laws can provide various forms of relief, including a refund, replacement, or compensation for diminished value, as well as incidental and consequential damages. Additionally, qualified consumers can receive representation from Oklahoma lemon law attorneys at no cost because the law covers attorneys’ fees.

How Lemberg Law Can Help

Lemberg Law specializes in lemon law cases, offering comprehensive legal support to consumers facing vehicle defects. Here’s how we can assist you:

• Free Case Review: Lemberg Law offers a no-obligation evaluation to determine if your vehicle qualifies under the Oklahoma Lemon Law.
• Professional Legal Support: Our skilled attorneys will guide you through the legal process, ensuring you understand your rights and options.
• Pay Only if You Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we secure a successful outcome for your case.
• Established Experience: With a proven track record in lemon law cases, Lemberg Law has the experience handling even the most complex claims.

Why Choose Lemberg Law?

Choosing the right legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of your lemon law case. Here’s why Lemberg Law stands out:

• Consumer-Focused: Lemberg Law is dedicated to protecting consumer rights and ensuring fair treatment.
• Experienced Team: Our team of attorneys has extensive experience handling lemon law cases across various states, including Oklahoma.
• Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation to final resolution, Lemberg Law provides unwavering support throughout the process.

Contact Lemberg Law

If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, contact Lemberg Law for a free consultation. Our team is ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.

The Oklahoma Lemon Law protects consumers from the financial and safety risks of defective vehicles. By understanding your rights and taking the right steps, you can secure a replacement or refund for your lemon.

Lemberg Law provides expert legal assistance to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. With our support, you can turn a frustrating experience into a successful resolution. If you have a lemon, reach out to Lemberg Law today for a no-obligation 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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