 Lemon Law: Information & Tips On Vehicle Lemon Laws
Posted by carsandtrucks on Monday, December 10 @ 09:06:27 PST
The "lemon law" was introduced to give consumers a refund or a replacement should they buy a new vehicle that has chronic mechanical failures that affect the safety or value of the vehicle. The laws vary from state to state, in terms of what qualifies as a "lemon" but all the state laws are similar in the sense that they protect the consumer. Each state has different qualifiers for what is covered by the law. For example, in my home state to qualify for coverage under the law your vehicle must be less then 18 months old, have less then 18000 miles, have experienced the same problem more then 3 times, and the defect(s) must be safety related, or value decreasing to be considered relevant. If you are going to be successful in receiving relief under the lemon law you must
keep detailed records of the problem, properly file with the state, and be prepared to meet with a manufactures representative at arbitration. Once you file, the manufacturer will receive notice of your intent to receive a replacement or refund. Most states afford the manufacturer a final opportunity to correct the defect. Usually, this means the manufacturer will send in a regional engineer to work with the dealership. This gives the manufacturer the opportunity to see first hand what the defect is. During the final repair attempt the manufacturer may find the root cause of the problem and correct it. If not, the next step in the process is arbitration. At this point both the consumer and manufacturer have the opportunity to present their findings. The arbitrator(s) findings are binding on the only the manufacturer. In other words if the state arbitrator finds in your favor, the manufacturer must accept the decision to refund your money or replace your vehicle. If the arbitrator sides with the manufacturer, you can take your case to the next level. There are consumer laws in every state that may override the "lemon law." In lemon law cases it is not necessary to hire an attorney. If you are going to pursue relief from the manufacturer outside of the lemon law I would recommend an attorney become involved. Remember lemon laws are for new vehicles within a specific time and mileage. If you have purchased a used car or truck, check your state regulations to determine if lemon laws apply.
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