Indiana Lemon Law Firms and the Indiana lemon law code.

Indiana Code § 24-5-13-1 to § 24-5-13.5-14

24-5-13-1

This chapter applies to all motor vehicles that are sold, leased, transferred, or replaced by a dealer or manufacturer in Indiana.

24-5-13-2

As used in this chapter, "business day" means a day other than Sunday or a legal holiday (as defined in IC 1-1-9-1).

24-5-13-3

As used in this chapter, "buyer" means any person who, for purposes other than resale or sublease, enters into an agreement or contract within Indiana for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a motor vehicle covered under this chapter.

24-5-13-3.4

As used in this chapter, "lease" means a contract in the form of a lease or bailment for the use of a motor vehicle by a person for more than four (4) months, whether or not the lessee has the option to purchase or otherwise become the owner of the property at the expiration of the lease.

24-5-13-3.7

As used in this chapter, "lessor" means a person who:

( 1) holds title to a motor vehicle leased to a lessee under a written lease agreement; or

(2) holds the lessor's rights under an agreement described in subdivision (1).

24-5-13-4

As used in this chapter, "manufacturer" means any person who is engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles, or, in the case of motor vehicles not manufactured in the United States, any person who is engaged in the business of importing motor vehicles.

24-5-13-5

As used in this chapter, "motor vehicle" or "vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle that:

(1) has a declared gross vehicle weight of less than ten thousand (10,000) pounds;

(2) is sold to:

(A) a buyer in Indiana and registered in Indiana; or

(B) a buyer in Indiana who is not an Indiana resident (as defined in IC 9-13-2-78);

(3) is intended primarily for use and operation on public highways; and

(4) is required to be registered or licensed before use or operation.

The term does not include conversion vans, motor homes, farm tractors, and other machines used in the actual production, harvesting, and care of farm products, road building equipment, truck tractors, road tractors, motorcycles, mopeds, snowmobiles, or vehicles designed primarily for off road use.

24-5-13-6

As used in this chapter, "nonconformity" means any specific or generic defect or condition or any concurrent combination of defects or conditions that:

(1) substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle; or

(2) renders the motor vehicle nonconforming to the terms of an applicable manufacturer's warranty.

24-5-13-7

As used in this chapter, "term of protection" means a period of time that:

(1) begins:

(A) on the date of original delivery of a motor vehicle to a buyer; or

(B) in the case of a replacement vehicle provided by a manufacturer to a buyer under this chapter, on the date of delivery of the replacement vehicle to the buyer; and

(2) ends the earlier of:

(A) eighteen (18) months after the date identified under subdivision (1); or

(B) the time the motor vehicle has been driven eighteen thousand (18,000) miles after the date identified under subdivision (1).

24-5-13-8

If a motor vehicle suffers from a nonconformity and the buyer reports the nonconformity within the term of protection to the manufacturer of the vehicle, its agent, or its authorized dealer then the manufacturer of the motor vehicle or the manufacturer's agent or authorized dealer shall make the repairs that are necessary to correct the nonconformity, even if the repairs are made after expiration of the term of protection.

24-5-13-9

(a) A buyer must first notify the manufacturer of a claim under this chapter if the manufacturer has made the disclosure required by subsection (b). However, if the manufacturer has not made the required disclosure, the buyer is not required to notify the manufacturer of a claim under this chapter.

(b) The manufacturer shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to the buyer, in the warranty or owner's manual, that written notification of the nonconformity is required before the buyer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle. The manufacturer shall include with the warranty or owner's manual the name and address to which the buyer must send notification.

24-5-13-10

If, after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer is unable to correct the nonconformity, the manufacturer shall accept the return of the vehicle from the buyer and, at the buyer's option, either, within thirty (30) days, refund the amount paid by the buyer or provide a replacement vehicle of comparable value.

24-5-13-11

(a) If a refund is tendered under this chapter with respect to a vehicle that is not a leased vehicle, the refund must be the full contract price of the vehicle, including all credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicle and less a reasonable allowance for use.

(b) To determine a reasonable allowance for use under this section, multiply:

(1) the total contract price of the vehicle; by

(2) a fraction having as its denominator one hundred thousand (100,000) and having as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled before the manufacturer's acceptance of its return.

(c) The refund must also include reimbursement for the following incidental costs:

(1) All sales tax.

(2) The unexpended portion of the registration fee and excise tax that has been prepaid for any calendar year.

(3) All finance charges actually expended.

(4) The cost of all options added by the authorized dealer.

(d) Refunds made under this section shall be made to the buyer and lien holder, if any, as their respective interests appear on the records of ownership.

24-5-13-11.5

(a) If a refund is tendered under this chapter with respect to a leased motor vehicle, the refund shall be made as follows:

(1) The lessee shall receive all deposit and lease payments paid by the lessee to the lessor, including all credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicles, less a reasonable allowance for use.

(2) The lessor shall receive:

(A) the lessor's purchase cost, including freight and accessories;

(B) any fee paid to another to obtain the lease;

(C) any insurance premiums or other costs expended by the lessor for the benefit of the lessee;

(D) sales tax paid by the lessor; and

(E) five percent (5%) of the amount described in subdivision (2)(A);

less the total of all deposit and lease payments paid by the lessee to the lessor, including all credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicle.

(b) To determine a reasonable allowance for use under this section, multiply:

(1) the total lease obligation of the lessee at the inception of the lease; by

(2) a fraction having as its denominator one hundred thousand (100,000) and as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled before the lessor's acceptance of its return.

24-5-13-12

(a) If a vehicle is replaced by a manufacturer under this chapter, the manufacturer shall reimburse the buyer for any fees for the transfer of registration or any sales tax incurred by the buyer as a result of replacement.

(b) If a replaced vehicle was financed by the manufacturer, its subsidiary, or agent, the manufacturer, subsidiary, or agent may not require the buyer to enter into any refinancing agreement concerning a replacement vehicle that would create any financial obligations upon the buyer less favorable than those of the original financing agreement.

24-5-13-13

Whenever a vehicle is replaced or refunded under this chapter, the manufacturer shall reimburse the buyer for necessary towing and rental costs actually incurred as a direct result of the nonconformity.

24-5-13-14

A buyer has the option of retaining the use of any vehicle returned under this chapter until the time that the buyer has been tendered a full refund or replacement vehicle of comparable value. The use of any vehicle retained by a buyer after its return to a manufacturer under this chapter must, in cases in which a refund is tendered, be reflected in the reasonable allowance for use required by section 11 of this chapter.

24-5-13-15

(a) A reasonable number of attempts is considered to have been undertaken to correct a nonconformity if:

(1) the nonconformity has been subject to repair at least four (4) times by the manufacturer or its agents or authorized dealers, but the nonconformity continues to exist; or

(2) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of any nonconformity for a cumulative total of at least thirty (30) business days, and the nonconformity continues to exist.

(b) The thirty (30) business day period in subsection (a)(2) shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available as a direct result of a strike. The manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer shall provide or make provision for the free use of a vehicle to any buyer whose vehicle is out of service by reason of repair during a strike.

(c) The burden is on the manufacturer to show that the reason for an extension under subsection (b) was the direct cause for the failure of the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer to cure any nonconformity during the time of the event.

24-5-13-16

(a) A manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer may not refuse to diagnose or repair any vehicle for the purpose of avoiding liability under this chapter.

(b) A manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer shall provide a buyer with a written repair order each time the buyer's vehicle is brought in for examination or repair. The repair order must indicate all work performed on the vehicle including examination of the vehicle, parts, and labor.

24-5-13-18

It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter that:

(1) the nonconformity, defect, or condition does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the motor vehicle; or

(2) the nonconformity, defect, or condition is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of the motor vehicle by the buyer.

24-5-13-19

This chapter does not apply to any buyer who has not first resorted to an informal procedure established by a manufacturer or in which a manufacturer participates if:

(1) the procedure is certified by the attorney general as:

(A) complying in all respects with 16 C.F.R. 703; and

(B) complying with any other rules concerning certification adopted by the attorney general, including but not limited to the requirement of oral hearings, pursuant to IC 4-22-2; and

(2) the buyer has received adequate written notice from the manufacturer of the existence of the procedure.

Adequate written notice includes the incorporation of the informal dispute settlement procedure into the terms of the written warranty to which the motor vehicle does not conform.

24-5-13-20

This chapter does not limit the rights or remedies that are otherwise available to a buyer under any other applicable provision of law.

24-5-13-21

A buyer may bring a civil action to enforce this chapter in any circuit or superior court.

24-5-13-22

A buyer who prevails in any action brought under this chapter is entitled to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggregate amount of cost and expenses, including attorney's fees based on actual time expended by the attorney, determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the buyer for or in connection with the commencement and prosecution of the action.

24-5-13-23

(a) An action brought under this chapter must be commenced within two (2) years following the date the buyer first reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer.

(b) When the buyer has commenced an informal dispute settlement procedure described in section 19 of this chapter, the two (2) year period specified in subsection (a) is tolled during the time the informal dispute settlement procedure is being conducted.

24-5-13-24

Nothing in this chapter imposes any liability on a dealer or creates a cause of action by a consumer against a dealer, and a manufacturer may not, directly or indirectly, expose any franchised dealer to liability under this chapter.

24-5-13.5-1

This chapter applies to all motor vehicles that are sold, leased, transferred, or replaced by a dealer or manufacturer in Indiana

. 24-5-13.5-2

As used in this chapter, "bureau" refers to the bureau of motor vehicles created by IC 9-14-1-1.

24-5-13.5-3

As used in this chapter, "buyback vehicle" means a motor vehicle that has been replaced or repurchased by a manufacturer or a nonresident manufacturer's agent or an authorized dealer, either under this chapter or IC 24-5-13 by judgment, decree, arbitration award, settlement agreement, or voluntary agreement in Indiana or another state, but does not include a motor vehicle that was repurchased pursuant to a guaranteed repurchase or satisfaction program advertised by the manufacturer and was not alleged or found to have a nonconformity as defined in IC 24-5-13-6.

24-5-13.5-4

As used in this chapter, "buyer" means a person who, for purposes other than resale or sublease, enters into an agreement or a contract within Indiana for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a buyback vehicle.

24-5-13.5-5

As used in this chapter, "dealer" means a person engaged in the business of buying, selling, leasing, or exchanging motor vehicles. A person is a "dealer" under this section if the person sells, leases, or advertises the sale or lease of more than four (4) motor vehicles within a twelve (12) month period.

24-5-13.5-6

As used in this chapter, "manufacturer" has the meaning set forth in IC 24-5-13-4.

24-5-13.5-7

As used in this chapter, "motor vehicle" has the meaning set forth in IC 24-5-13-5.

24-5-13.5-8

As used in this chapter, "nonconformity" has the meaning set forth in IC 24-5-13-6.

24-5-13.5-9

As used in this chapter, "warranty" means:

(1) a written warranty issued by the manufacturer; or

(2) an affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer, excluding statements made by the dealer;

in connection with the sale or lease of a motor vehicle to a consumer that relates to the nature of the material or workmanship and affirms or promises that such material or workmanship is free of defects or will meet a specified level of performance.

24-5-13.5-10

A buyback motor vehicle may not be resold in Indiana unless the following conditions have been met:

(1) The manufacturer provides the same express warranty the manufacturer provided to the original purchaser, except that the term of the warranty need only last for twelve thousand (12,000) miles or twelve (12) months after the date of resale.

(2) The following disclosure language must be conspicuously contained in a contract for the sale or lease of a buyback vehicle to a consumer or contained in a form affixed to the contract:

IMPORTANT

This vehle was previously sold as new. It was subsequently returned to the manufacturer or authorized dealer in exchange for a replacement vehle or a refund because it did not conform to the manufacturer's express warranty and the nonconformity was not cured within a reasonable time as provided by Indiana law.

(3) The manufacturer provides the dealer a separate document with a written statement identifying the vehicle conditions that formed the basis for the previous owner's or lessee's dissatisfaction and the steps taken to deal with that dissatisfaction in 10-point all capital type.

24-5-13.5-11

Before reselling a buyback motor vehicle in Indiana, a dealer must provide to the buyer the express warranty required by section 10(1) of this chapter and the written statement of disclosure required by section 10(3) of this chapter and obtain the buyer's acknowledgment of this disclosure at the time of sale or lease as evidenced by the buyer's signature on the statement of disclosure.

24-5-13.5-12

A manufacturer who accepts return of a motor vehicle that is considered a buyback vehicle under this chapter shall do the following:

(1) Before transferring ownership of the buyback vehicle, stamp the words "Manufacturer Buyback A Disclosure on File" on the face of the original certificate of title.

(2) Not more than thirty-one (31) days after receipt of the certificate of title, apply to the bureau for a certificate of title in the name of the manufacturer and provide to the bureau a copy of the disclosure document required by section 10(3) of this chapter.

24-5-13.5-13

(a) A person who fails to comply with section 10, 11, or 12 of this chapter is liable for the following:

(1) Actual damages or the value of the consideration, at the election of the buyer.

(2) The costs of an action to recover damages and reasonable attorney's fees.

(3) Not more than three (3) times the value of the actual damages or the consideration as exemplary damages.

(4) Other equitable relief, including restitution, as is considered proper in addition to damages and costs.

(b) Actual damages under this section include the following:

(1) The difference between the actual market value of the vehicle at the time of purchase and the contract price of the vehicle.

(2) Towing, repair, and storage expenses.

(3) Rental of substitute transportation.

(4) Food and lodging expenses.

(5) Lost wages.

(6) Finance charges.

(7) Sales or use tax or other governmental fees.

(8) Lease charges.

(9) Other incidental and consequential damages.

(c) Lack of privacy is not a bar to an action under this section.

(d) This subsection does not apply to consent orders or stipulated judgments in which there is no admission of liability by the defendant. A permanent injunction, final judgment, or final order of the court obtained by the attorney general under section 14 of this chapter is prima facie evidence in an action brought under this section that the defendant has violated section 10, 11, or 12 of this chapter.

(e) An action to enforce liability under this section may be brought within two (2) years from the date of discovery by the buyer.

24-5-13.5-14

A manufacturer or dealer who fails to comply with section 10, 11, or 12 of this chapter, as applicable to the manufacturer or dealer, commits a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general under IC 24-5-0.5-4 and is subject to the remedies and penalties set forth in IC 24-5-0.5.

Essentially, the Lemon Laws specify that if you purchase (and in various states, lease) a new or pre-owned car or other vehicle with a manufacturer's warranty that struggles to consistently run after repair attempts, and the original equipment manufacturer can't recondition it in spite of consecutive attempts (inside a fixed time limit that varies from state to state), or if the car is in the shop for a designated period of time (typically 30 days) due to its shortcomings, you are qualified to a broad range of breaks, inclusive of:

1. Monetary restitution
2. A compensation of the purchase cost
3. A brand new automobile
Also, almost all the Lemon Laws (as well as the Federal Warranty Law) feature a fee changing component that states that if you win your case, the manufacturing business or car dealership that sold you the lemon is obliged to compensate you for court expenses.


Lemon Law Statutes
State-specific Lemon Law Regulations
Each of the 50 states has a different Lemon Law statute. Although the protections of each state's statute differ, the conventional state Lemon Law statute affords cure for owners with a impared car purchased with a warranty if:

1. The dealer or manufacturing business just can't legitimately remedy a particular fault in the product after a fair number of repair attempts (ordinarily at least three);
2. The car can't be driven for at least 30 days due to defects in the motor vehicle; or
3. The car dealership or manufacturing business just can not remedy a defect that is a considerable safety risk.

By and large, a faulty car is a car with a problem or condition that considerably degrades its use, value, or safety to the consumer and doesn't comply with the warranty. Frequently, the period of time in which the Lemon Laws apply are relatively short; the problems and consequential repair efforts (or out-of-service period of time) occasionally will occur during the first 2-years or 24,000 miles in which the purchaser owns the motor vehicle. However, a number of states have even shorter periods. Moreover, virtually all states have notice and activation requirements, such as expecting the consumer to send registered mail notice to the original producer of the troubles and establishing the car dealership a chance to fix the car. Furthermore, various states necessitate that Lemon Law lawsuits be resolved through an arbitration system.

Generally, state Lemon Law statues also are applicable to leased automobiles and used automobiles purchased whilst under the makers factory warranty. A number of state Lemon Laws also are applicable to cars other than passenger vehicles. based on the consumer's home state, or the state where the consumer bought the motor vehicle, Lemon Laws may be applicable to:

-RV's
-Motorcycles
-Pleasure Boats
-Other consumer items (such as televisions)
There are a number of effective resolutions possible under the Lemon Laws. Statesten times, if the original maker cannot fix the motor vehicle, the consumer can either expect the original maker to replace the vehicle, or insist the original maker to reposess the car and payback the purchase price along with incidental damages, such as all fees, towing costs, repair charges, alternative travel costs and other charges incurred by the consumer as a result of the faults in the car. Another important remedy possible under most Lemon Laws is litigation fees. In almost all states, if you win in a Lemon Law case, you will not have to pay any litigation fees-the auto manufacturing business that sold you your lemon is required to pay your court bills.

The defendant automobile manufacturing business can employ several defenses to a Lemon Law claim. The general regulation affords that the original maker is not responsible if it can verify that the flaws at issue were caused by exploitation, forget about, or the alteration or tampering of a motor vehicle by a party other than the maker, an agent, or an authorized dealership. Restated, if the consumer damages his or her own automobile, or the problems were caused by modifications or alterations performed by an unauthorized party, the maker could not be responsible.


Federal Lemon Law Statutes
The Magnuson Moss Act
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Sanctioned by Congress in 1975, the Magnuson Moss Act requires makers and sellers of consumer items to give customers explanatory information about warranty coverage claims. Also, it infects both the rights of consumers and the responsibilities of warrantors under original warranties.

Although the Magnuson Moss Act does not call for an auto maker to provide customers with a warranty, if a warranty is supplied, the Magnuson Moss Act offers many protections for the consumer. The Magnuson Moss Act makes it easier for consumers to sue for breaking the warranty by making breach of warranty noncompliance of federal law, and by permitting consumers to recuperate legal charges and sensible attorney's fees.

The Magnuson Moss Act is often beneficial in a lemon situation in which, for some reason, a state Lemon Law claim is not possible or otherwise unfavorable. For example, contrary to the generally short period of time provided to consumers with most Lemon Laws, you may record a claim for breach of warranty after the warranty period has passed as long as the troubles occurred during the warranty time period. In addition, although many Lemon Laws limit their coverage to a very specific offering of automobiles, the Magnuson Moss Act applies to nearly all consumer goods. The Magnuson Moss Act could also be applicable if you purchased or leased a expended automobile without a manufacturing business warranty, or if the automobile is covered by a third party agreement or other variety of extended warranty.


The Uniform Commercial Code
The Uniform Commercial Code (referred to as "UCC") has been ratified in every U.S. state. It is the prime basis of law regulating consumer warranties, including motor vehicles and other items. The UCC affords another legal channel for customers with lemon troubles.

UCC code says that the consumer of a product is entitled to return products which fail in any feature to the contract. In essence, if your new car doesn't operate as bound by the original equipment manufacturer (your written warranty is part of your agreement), you may file a claim citing the UCC in addition to any additional claims you might have.

The period for rejecting a motor vehicle with the UCC is not unlimited. If you discover a fault in your vehicle inside a fair posession time period, you can return the vehicle. Unfortunately, new cars can be typically mechanically enigmatic and you may not know whether your motor vehicle conforms to the consumer warranty until after you acquire the motor vehicle and defects start to develop. Fundamentally, if Following this posession time you do not refuse the motor vehicle, you will be deemed to have okayed it and may have no claim through the UCC.

The length of the inspection period is not specified in the statute. State courts decide how long the sensible inspection period is based on the purchaser's familiarity and personal experience, the purchaser's difficulty in discovering the fault, and the purchaser's chance to expose the defect.

In spite of this restriction, the UCC says that in certain examples where a buyer is deemed to have accepted goods (i.e. the sensible inspection time period has expired), a buyer may still take back his favorable reception of those goods where the non-conformity largely cripples the economic value of the goods to him. Those cases include instances in which it was toilsome to notice the nonconformity or the buyer was assured that the non-conformity would be repaired. Put differently, the local court will pardon the buyer from not having rejected the goods where the buyer could not have reasonably done so, or where the manufacturer promised the buyer that the problems would be repaired.
When a auto excessively gives out and you have to keep taking it back to the car dealership for repair under the written warranty, the auto lemon law might be your next course of action. The failing should be substantial in which it impedes your driving the automobile or your safety. A automobile stalling frequently is a substantial failing. This is precisely the type of problem that may hamper your driving and your safety. Under the auto lemon law you are not expected to demonstrate why the auto is stalling, you only have to show that it is stalling. Thus you need to go over the lemon law in these 3 instances: the auto keeps dying within the warranty period, the auto is a safety hazard, the car dealership is not able to recondition the auto when it is warranted.

If you own a product which is a lemon you can directly write to the maker and ask for another equivalent product. If this request is not satisfactory to the maker, you could enter into an arbitration arrangement. A few makers have their own arbitration program. Other makers utilise external arbitration program such as Autoline by the Better Business Bureau. The proposal of the arbitrators is binding on the maker but not on the buyer. If unsatisfied with the assessment, the buyer can take the maker to court.

Virtually all ordinances state that the buyer ought to be restored back to the fiscal status they were in prior to purchasing the motor vehicle, less the amount that the buyer benefited from by using the motor vehicle. To get the restitution sum many factors are considered such as was it a sale or a lease, the purchase price, taxes and license, and mileage etc.
Some almost new used automobiles will qualify under basic lemon laws. For example, a pre-owned auto may fall under normal lemon laws if it is less than one year old and has got less than 12,000 miles on the odometer. States that do have a pre-owned car lemon law will be additionally generous with the age and amount of mileage. Still, the car needs to be sold by a dealership that extends a written warranty. Private sales are not governed, nor are cars sold under a specific original price paid. There may be other restrictions to a used car lemon law such as the functions in which the motor vehicle is driven or the categorisation of motor vehicle. Vintage automobiles, are normally excluded from used car lemon laws. Used car lemon laws ordinarily cover a much shorter period than new car regulations. They often range from 30 to 90 days, depending on your used automobile's mileage.
When finding an attorney for your lemon case, make sure that your lawyer is knowledgeable about the laws that apply to your state. Also enquire about the fee structure. Many lemon law attorneys take a rather humble retainer to manage a lemon law claim, and thereafter, the attorney's bills are billed to the original producer. Therefore, lemon law claims are typically very affordable to purchasers. The reimbursement of attorney charges varies from state to state. About one-half of the states permit you to recover your Lawyer bills if you win. The attorney's fee is based upon actual time used instead of being attached to any other percentage of the recovery. In some States, you must pay the manufacturing business* attorney's charges if you lose.

Consumers should put their concerns in writing and hold a copy. In any written communication, always delineate how difficult it is to take the car to the dealer for work and that the reliability that the buyer thought She was getting has been non-existent. Any written communication with a dealership or original producer should be sent using certified mail service. In many claims the makers claim that they haven't had the needed number of endeavors to repair the problem. They rely on the fact that the buyer does not retain repair receipts for each instance they have taken the car into the authorized repair facility. They also bet on the possibility that the repair receipts have seperate parts repaired every occurance showing that they haven't repaired the same problem. Consumers should respond by asking that dealerships always present them a warranty repair order. Consumers should also indicate that these undocumented visits are attempts.

Make sure to be knowledgeable of your lemon law rights. Upon purchase, immediately read your owner's manual and warranty info thoroughly, along with the reference pertaining lemon law rights that you ought to obtain when you purchase your vehicle. Don't rely on your car dealership to show you what problems are covered by warranty. If your car dealership states that a problem is not covered and you think that he or she is being deceptive, be calm but assertive. Don't be scared to bring out the part of the warranty that is relevant, or to call the original maker for verification using the contact info included with your owner's manual. You should not have to pay for repairs related to lemon law complaints. It's also crucial to notify the original maker of a complaint as soon as possible. If you believe that your car has a condition that just can not be fixed, check out your lemon law rights to see when you are able to file a lemon law complaint.

Lemon Law Tips:

1. Take your car in early - as soon as something appears wrong.
2. Hold onto repair orders - Always obtain a work order when you take the vehicle for repairs, and always obtain a completed repair order when work is completed. Be sure the work order reflects your own thoughts and comments regarding your complaints. If the technician summarizes or changes your complaint too much, have that technician add your corrected comments. Sign and receive a copy of the repair Order before leaving.
3. Be consistent in your complaints. Lemon Laws generally require that a manufacturer's authorized repair facility be provided with a reasonable number of opportunities to repair the same problem(s). Therefore, be as consistent as possible on each repeated repair attempt in describing the problem(s) you are having. This will establish that the problem is the same recurring problem, and will make any potential lemon law claim easier to establish and prove.

4. Look for TSBs: Technical Service Bulletins are issued by manufacturers regarding common defects or repairs in certain automobile models. Your dealer will not seek to tell you about TSBs unless you ask. Ask the dealer to make note of your TSB request on the repair order, even if your dealer tells you that none exist for your problem.
5. Watch for bad advice - Dealers and manufacturers personnel, without intending to, frequently practice law by giving you their version of lemon laws. Typically it is wrong and may be detrimental to your case. It doesn't matter whether the reason for this misinformation is unintentional or not. The effect is similar. So check any advice given by the dealer or manufacturer before making any decision that may harm your case.

6. Beware of arbitration - Manufacturers frequently recommend arbitration or even imply that it is a mandatory prerequisite to resolving your problem. Arbitration is neither desirable nor mandatory! And it is absolutely not a prerequisite for making a lemon law demand!
Leading Misconceptions regarding the Lemon Laws

If my case does not qualify for the lemon law there is nothing I can do.
Attorneys regularly take cases that do not meet the lemon law criteria. All purchasers of defective products have a legal right to compensation. They frequently take cases which do meet the mileage or repair criteria of the lemon law, bring them in court, and secure compensation or other relief for the buyer.

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