STATE LEMON LAW STATUTES – SUMMARIES
Qualification refers to the criteria specific to that state’s lemon law. Notification is what must have been provided to the manufacturer and or dealer and must be documented. Contact an experienced lemon law attorney in your state for more information on your rights under state and federal consumer protection laws.
Alabama
AL lemon law criteria to qualify under the law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days within shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles, provided 1 repair attempt, or;
- 1 day out of service is within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Certified mail notice to the manufacturer and the opportunity for final repair attempt within 14 calendar days. Leased vehicles are not covered under AL lemon law.
If you think you purchased a lemon in Alabama, visit Alabama Lemon Lawyers, Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center.
Alaska Lemon Law
AK lemon law qualifications:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice by certified mail to manufacturer and dealer (or repair facility) that problem has not been corrected in reasonable number of attempts and refund or replacement demanded within 60 days. Manufacturer has 30 calendar days for final repair attempt. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Alaska lemon law coverage is provided for leased vehicles.
Arizona Lemon Law
AZ lemon law criteria to qualify under the law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice and additionally, opportunity to repair to manufacturer. AZ lemon law affords coverage for leased vehicles as well as new.
For assistance with a lemon law claim in Arizona visit Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center.
Arkansas Lemon Law
Qualifying criteria for AR lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within longer of 24 months or 24,000 miles.
Notification: Certified or registered mail notice to manufacturer. Manufacturer has 10 days to notify consumer of repair facility, the facility has 10 days to repair.
California Lemon Law
To qualify under CA lemon law, consumer must have:
- 4 times subject to repair, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service (can be non-consecutive) within shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles, or;
- A reasonable number of attempts during entire express warranty period.
Notification: Direct written notice to manufacturer and delivery of car to repair facility for repair attempt within 30 days. UPDATED AS OF 1/1/01: only 2 times subject to repair allowed for safety defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Coverage has been expanded to include small businesses registering up to 5 vehicles, weighing up to 10,000 pounds each.
Colorado Lemon Law
Qualifying criteria for CO lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Prior certified mail notice for each defect occurrence and opportunity to repair for manufacturer.
Connecticut Lemon Law
CT lemon law requires one of the following criteria be met to qualify:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles or;
- 2 unsuccessful repairs of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within warranty period or 1 year.
Notification: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. Written notice to manufacturer only if required in owner’s manual or warranty. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Leased vehicles are covered under CT lemon law as well.
Delaware Lemon Law
DE lemon law qualifying criteria:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice and in addition, opportunity to repair to manufacturer. DE lemon law afford coverage for leased vehicles.
District of Columbia (D.C.) Lemon Law
DC lemon law qualification(s):
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of safety-related defect, within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Report of each defect occurrence to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Note: Enforcement is suspended until October 1, 2000. Law applies to and includes leased vehicles.
Florida Lemon Law
FL lemon law qualifications:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 15 calendar days within 24 months from delivery.
Notification: Written notice by certified or express mail to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days for final repair attempt after delivery to designated dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Coverage includes leased vehicles.
Georgia Lemon Law
Qualifications for GA lemon law:
- 1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 3 repair attempts or;
- 30 calendar days out of service for other problems.
- Repairs must have occurred within 24 months of purchase of vehicle or 24,000 miles of use
- Repair attempts must have been performed by a manufacturer’s authorized dealer or repair facility.
Notification: lWritten notice and the opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available.
Hawaii Lemon Law
Qualifications for HI lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repair attempts, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair attempt of defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of two years or 24,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice and the opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. HI state lemon law includes coverage for leased vehicles.
Idaho Lemon Law
Qualification:
- 4 repair attempts, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles, or;
- 1 repair of a complete failure of the braking or steering system likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer and opportunity to repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law is applicable to leased vehicles.
Illinois Lemon Law
Under IL lemon law one of these criteria would qualify a consume for relief:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. Il lemon law applies to leased vehicles.
Indiana Lemon Law
Qualifications for Indiana lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service within the shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer only if manufacturer included this requirement in the warranty. IN lemon law coverage applies to leased vehicles.
Iowa Lemon Law
IA lemon law qualifications:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice by certified registered mail, final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. IA lemon law covers leased vehicles.
Kansas Lemon Law
KS lemon law criteria for qualification:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service, or;
- 10 total repairs within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Actual notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Leased vehicles are covered under KS lemon law.
Kentucky Lemon Law
Qualifications for KY lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Kentucky lemon law provides coverage for leased vehicles as well as new.
Louisiana Lemon Law
Qualifications for coverage under LA lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Report to manufacturer or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Lemon Law covers leased vehicles.
Maine Lemon Law
ME lemon law qualifications for coverage, one must apply:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs (when at least 2 times the same agent attempted repair), or;
- 15 business days out of service within shorter of warranty or 2 years or 18,000 miles.
- Applies to vehicles within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years regardless of whether the claimant is the original owner.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer only if required in warranty or owner’s manual. Manufacturer has 7 business days after receipt for final repair attempt. State-run arbitration mechanism available. ME lemon law applies to leased vehicles.
Maryland Lemon Law
MD lemon law criteria for qualification:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, 30 calendar days out of service, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of braking or steering system within shorter of 15 months or 15,000 miles.
Notification: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested and opportunity to repair within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer or factory branch. The MD lemon law cover leased vehicles as well.
Massachusetts Lemon Law
Qualifying criteria for MA lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles.
Notification: Notice to manufacturer or dealer who has 7 business days to attempt final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available.
Michigan Lemon Law
Qualification:
- Total of 4 unsuccessful repairs within 2 years from the date of the first unsuccessful repair or;
- 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested, to manufacturer who has 5 business days to repair after delivery. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law applies to leased vehicles.
Minnesota Lemon Law
Qualifications for MN lemon law protection:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of total braking or steering loss likely to cause death or serious
bodily injury within shorter of 2 years or warranty.
Notification: Written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. The Minnesota lemon law specifically covers leased vehicles.
Mississippi Lemon Law
MS lemon law qualifying criteria:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 business days to repair after delivery to designated dealer. Leased vehicles are not covered under MS lemon law.
Missouri Lemon Law
Qualifications for MO lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days to repair after delivery to designated dealer. Missouri lemon law does not provide protection for leased vehicles.
Montana Lemon Law
Qualifications – MT lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service after notice within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Leased vehicles are included in MT lemon law protection.
Nebraska Lemon Law
NE lemon law qualifications:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or 40 calendar days out of service within 1 year or warranty, whichever is shorter.
Notification: Certified mail notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. NE lemon law protection extends to leased and purchased vehicles.
Nevada Lemon Law
To qualify for NV lemon law, you must either:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Nevada lemon law does not provide protection for leased vehicles.
New Hampshire Lemon Law
NH lemon law qualifying criteria includes:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs by same dealer, or;
- 30 business days out of service within warranty.
Notification: Report to manufacturer, distributor, agent or dealer (through forms provided by manufacturer) and final opportunity to repair before arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law applies to leased vehicles as well as new.
New Jersey Lemon Law
Your vehicle qualified for NJ lemon law if:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 20 calendar days out of service within whichever is shorter, 2 years or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested to manufacturer who has 10 days to repair. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
New Mexico Lemon Law
NM lemon law criteria to qualify for coverage:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice and the opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. NM lemon law does not cover leased vehicles.
New York Lemon Law
NY lemon law qualification include:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Notice to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Leased vehicles are covered under NY lemon law.
North Carolina Lemon Law
Qualifications for NC lemon law protection:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs within shorter of 24 months, 24,000 miles or warranty, or;
- 20 business days out of service during any 12 month period of warranty.
Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer + opportunity to repair within 15 calendar days of receipt only if required in warranty or owner’s manual. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
North Dakota Lemon Law
Criteria to qualify for ND lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Direct written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. (Manufacturers informal arbitration process serves as a prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. N. Dakota lemon law offers coverage for leased vehicles.
Ohio Lemon Law
Qualifications for OH lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs of same nonconformity.
- 30 calendar days out of service, 8 total repairs of any nonconformity, or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or 18,000 miles.
Notification: Report to manufacturer, its agent or dealer. Law applicable for leased vehicles.
Oklahoma Lemon Law
OK lemon law qualifications:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 45 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Leased vehicles are includes under OK’s lemon law.
Oregon Lemon Law
OR lemon law criteria for qualification:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Direct written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. OR lemon law coverage includes leased vehicles.
Pennsylvania Lemon Law
PA lemon law qualifications/criteria:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year, 12,000 miles, or warranty.
Notification: Delivery to authorized service and repair facility. If delivery impossible, written notice to manufacturer or its repair facility obligates them to pay for delivery. Manufacturer’s informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement. Under PA lemon law.
Rhode Island Lemon Law
RI lemon law criteria for qualification:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles.
Notification: Report to dealer or manufacturer who has 7 days for final repair opportunity. Manufacturers informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement. The RI lemon law is applicable for leased vehicles.
South Carolina Lemon Law
Qualifications for SC lemon law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 calendar days out of service whichever is shorter, 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice by certified mail and opportunity to repair (not more than 10 business days) to manufacturer however, only if manufacturer informed consumer of such at time of sale. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. SC lemon law offers coverage for leased vehicles.
South Dakota Lemon Law
SD lemon law qualifications:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs, 1 of which occurred during the shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service during shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles.
Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer and final opportunity to repair + 7 calendar days to notify consumer of repair facility.†(ManufacturerÃs informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)â€
Tennessee Lemon Law
Qualifying criteria for TN lemon law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer and final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Texas Lemon Law
TX lemon law qualifications:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs when 2 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, and
other 2 occur within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following second repair attempt; or;
- 2 unsuccessful repairs of a serious safety defect when 1 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles and other occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following first repair or:
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles and at least 2 attempts were made within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Leased vehicles are covered under TX lemon law.
Utah Lemon Law
Qualifications for UT Lemon Law
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. (Manufacturer’s informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.) UT lemon law afford coverage for leased vehicles.
Vermont Lemon Law
Qualifications for VT lemon law
- 3 unsuccessful repairs when at least first repair was within warranty, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within warranty.
Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer (on provided forms) after third repair attempt, or 30 days. Arbitration must be held within 45 days after notice, during which time manufacturer has 1 final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Virginia Lemon Law
Criteria for qualification under VA lemon law
3 unsuccessful repairs, or;
- 1 repair attempt of serious safety defect, or;
- 30 calendar days out of service within 18 months.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer. If 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 days already exhausted before notice, manufacturer has 1 more repair attempt not to exceed 15 days. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Washington Lemon Law
Criteria to quality for Washington Lemon Law:
- 4 unsuccessful repairs
- 30 calendar days out of service (15 during warranty period), or
- 2 repairs of serious safety defects first reported within shorter of warranty or 24 months or 24,000 miles.
- One repair attempt and 15 of the 30 days must fall within manufacturer’s express warranty of at least 1 year of 12,000 miles.
Notification: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles and new vehicles. Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 40 calendar days of request.
West Virginia Lemon Law
Criteria to qualify for WV Lemon Law:
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or;
- 30 calendar days out of service or;
- 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification: Written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles as well.
Wisconsin Lemon Law
Criteria to qualify for WI lemon law
- 4 unsuccessful repairs or
- 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty.
Notification – Report to manufacturer or dealer, Wisconsin Lemon Law does app apply to leased vehicles. Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 30 calendar days after offer to return title.
Wyoming Lemon Law
Criteria to Qualify in Wyoming
- 3 unsuccessful repairs or
- 30 business days out of service within 1 year.
Notification – Direct written notice and opportunity to repair to manufacturer. (Manufacturer’s informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)