What Is The Lemon Law?

The Washington State Motor Vehicle Lemon Law is designed to help new vehicle owners who have substantial continuing problems with warranty repairs. The law allows the owner to request an arbitration hearing through the Attorney General`s Office.

There will be no charge for the arbitration process. At the hearing, the arbitrator will decide whether a consumer`s claim meets the requirements under the law.

A special note about motor homes

If your vehicle is a motor home originally purchased or leased after June 30, 1998 there are different requirements under the law that are described below. If you have a motor home that was originally purchased or leased at retail on or prior to June 30, 1998 this information describes the standards and procedures which apply to your vehicle.

The Washington State Motor Vehicle Lemon Law is designed to help new vehicle owners who have substantial continuing problems with warranty repairs. The law allows the owner to request an arbitration hearing through the Lemon Law Administration of the Attorney General`s Office. There will be no charge for the arbitration process. At the hearing, the arbitrator will decide whether a consumer`s claim meets the requirements under the law and can distribute liability for repurchase or replacement between the motor home`s final stage, chassis and component manufacturers.

Other Washington Lemon Law FAQs

Q: What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?
A: The law covers most classes of motor vehicles including demonstrators which have an original retail purchase or lease in Washington and are originally registered in … More
Q: What Vehicles Are Not Covered Under Lemon Law?
A: The law does not cover problems caused by owner abuse or negligence, or any unauthorized modifications or alterations made to the vehicle. Nor does the Lemon Law cover … More
Q: What Is A Lemon?
A: Your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it has one or more substantial defects that have been subject to a reasonable number of attempts to diagnose or repair the … More
Q: What Is The Warranty Period?
A: To determine whether you have a claim under Lemon Law you will have to determine whether at least one attempt to diagnose or repair each defect occurred under the … More
Q: I Have A Lemon. What Should I Do?
A: Gather all your documents, records, and repair reports and organize them. Evaluate how your vehicle qualifies as a lemon based on your records. Write to the … More
Q: What Information Needs To Be Included On The Request For Arbitration Form?
A: When completing the form, clearly describe each defect, when each attempt to diagnose or repair occurred, the mileage on your vehicle at the time of each attempt, the … More
Q: What Is An Arbitration Hearing?
A: Arbitration hearings are much less complicated than court trialsthere are no formal rules of evidence or court procedures, and the hearings are designed to be as easy … More
Q: Scheduling An Arbitration Hearing
A: On the Request For Arbitration form you are asked to state a preferred time for the hearing. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT (AND … More
Q: Who Will Attend The Arbitration Hearing?
A: Hearings usually will be attended by you and any witnesses, a manufacturer`s representative, any manufacturer witnesses, and the arbitrator. All hearings are open to … More
Q: What Must I Prove At The Arbitration Hearing?
A: At the hearing you must establish that your vehicle is eligible and that the manufacturer received your written request for repurchase or replacement of the vehicle. … More