Lemon Law
In one sentence
State laws protecting consumers who buy defective vehicles that the manufacturer cannot repair.
Plain English
Lemon laws are consumer protection statutes that give buyers the right to a refund or replacement if they purchase a new vehicle with serious defects that the manufacturer cannot fix within a reasonable number of attempts. These laws vary by state but generally apply to vehicles still under warranty. If a car qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer must either replace it or refund the purchase price, minus a small deduction for mileage. Lemon laws protect consumers from being stuck with expensive, unreliable vehicles.
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Example
A person buys a new car that repeatedly has transmission problems. After four failed repair attempts within the warranty period, the manufacturer is required under lemon law to refund the full purchase price.
Used in a sentence
“The lemon law allowed her to return the defective vehicle and receive a full refund from the manufacturer.”
How Lemon Law differs by state
Lemon Law can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable time or replace/refund the vehicle.
Alaska
Alaska requires three repair attempts or 30 cumulative days out of service before triggering lemon law protection.
Arizona
Arizona requires two repair attempts for the same defect or four total repair attempts within one year of purchase.
Arkansas
Arkansas requires three repair attempts or 30 cumulative days out of service within one year of purchase.
California
California requires four repair attempts or two attempts for a safety defect, or 30 days out of service within warranty period.
Colorado
Colorado requires manufacturers to repair defects within one year or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires one repair attempt for serious safety defects or four attempts for other defects within two years.
Delaware
Delaware requires four repair attempts or ten business days out of service within one year of purchase.
Florida
Florida requires three repair attempts or fifteen calendar days out of service within two years of purchase.
Georgia
Georgia requires three repair attempts or thirty calendar days out of service within two years of purchase.
Hawaii
Hawaii requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable time or replace/refund the vehicle.
Idaho
Idaho lemon law covers defects discovered within one year or during the manufacturer's warranty period.
Illinois
Illinois requires repair within four attempts or 30 days out of service; consumers may then seek refund or replacement.
Indiana
Indiana lemon law applies to defects within one year; manufacturer gets four repair attempts or 30 days out of service.
Iowa
Iowa requires manufacturers to repair defects within one year; four failed repairs or 30 days out of service triggers remedy rights.
Kansas
Kansas requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable time or replace/refund the vehicle.
Kentucky
Kentucky's lemon law requires repair, replacement, or refund if defects persist after reasonable repair attempts.
Louisiana
Louisiana requires manufacturers to repair or replace defective vehicles within one year of purchase.
Maine
Maine requires repair, replacement, or refund if defects are not fixed within a reasonable time.
Maryland
Maryland requires manufacturers to repair defects or provide replacement/refund if repairs fail within warranty.
Massachusetts
Manufacturers must repair defects within a reasonable time or replace the vehicle; consumers can seek refunds after failed repair attempts.
Michigan
Manufacturer must repair defects within a reasonable time; consumers get refunds or replacements if repair fails within warranty period.
Minnesota
Manufacturer must repair defects; consumers can seek refunds or replacements if repair attempts fail within one year of purchase.
Mississippi
Manufacturer must repair defects within a reasonable time; consumers may seek refunds or replacements if repairs fail.
Missouri
Manufacturer must repair defects within a reasonable time; consumers can obtain refunds or replacements if repair attempts fail.
Montana
Montana requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts or offer a refund or replacement.
Nebraska
Nebraska's lemon law covers defects reported within one year and requires the manufacturer to repair or replace the vehicle.
Nevada
Nevada requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts or provide a full refund or replacement.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable time or provide a refund or replacement vehicle.
New Jersey
New Jersey requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts or provide a refund or replacement within one year.
New Mexico
Manufacturers must repair defects within four attempts or 30 days; buyers can seek replacement or refund.
New York
Manufacturers have two repair attempts for the same defect; vehicles must fail within one year or 18,000 miles.
North Carolina
Manufacturers get four repair attempts within 24 months or 24,000 miles to fix defects affecting safety or use.
North Dakota
Manufacturers must repair defects within four attempts or one year; replacement or refund available if repairs fail.
Ohio
Manufacturers have three repair attempts or 30 days for the same defect; replacement or refund required if unsuccessful.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable time or replace/refund the vehicle.
Oregon
Oregon requires repair within four attempts or 30 days; consumers can pursue replacement or refund.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires repair within four attempts or 30 days; refund includes a deduction for mileage.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires repair within three attempts or 15 business days for a substantial defect.
South Carolina
South Carolina requires repair within three attempts or 30 days; manufacturer can refund or replace.
South Dakota
South Dakota requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts before you can seek a refund or replacement.
Tennessee
Tennessee requires four or more failed repair attempts or 30+ days out of service before you qualify for a refund or replacement.
Texas
Texas requires four repair attempts or 30 days out of service within the first year or 12,000 miles to qualify for relief.
Utah
Utah requires four repair attempts or 30 days out of service within one year to qualify for a refund or replacement vehicle.
Vermont
Vermont requires three repair attempts or 30 days out of service within one year to qualify for a refund or replacement.
Virginia
Virginia requires manufacturers to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts before you can seek a refund or replacement.
Washington
Washington allows you to pursue a refund or replacement if the manufacturer cannot fix a defect within a reasonable number of repair attempts.
West Virginia
West Virginia requires the manufacturer to repair defects within a reasonable number of attempts or provide a refund or replacement.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires manufacturers to repair defects or provide a refund within a reasonable time and number of repair attempts.
Wyoming
Wyoming requires the manufacturer to repair defects or provide a refund or replacement vehicle after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
District of Columbia
DC's lemon law covers defective vehicles within two years or 24,000 miles, requiring manufacturer repair attempts before buyback.
Related terms
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Federal law requiring clear warranty disclosures and limiting warranty disclaimers for consumer products.
Good Faith and Fair Dealing
A legal duty to act honestly and fairly when making and performing contracts.
Actual Condition
The real state of something at a specific moment in time.
Pro Bono
Legal work performed without charge for the public good or those who cannot afford it.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.