What Is The Warranty Period?

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 manufacturer`s warranty and within the warranty period. It is important to understand that, for purposes of arbitration, the warranty period may be different from the actual manufacturer`s warranty. The law requires that the manufacturer`s warranty cover at least 1 year or 12,000 miles (whichever occurs first). An extended service contract is not an express manufacturer`s warranty.

When determining whether an attempt to diagnose or repair a defect meets the requirements for eligibility, the warranty period covers a diagnosis or repair occurring within 2 years from the original delivery date and 24,000 miles of operation of the vehicle.

The following are examples of how to determine whether a diagnosis or repair attempt occurred during the warranty period.

If the manufacturer provides the minimum warranty of one year or 12,000 miles (whichever occurs first), an eligible defect must have been:
- diagnosed or repaired at least once under the manufacturer`s warranty within 12 months and 12,000 miles; OR
- outofservice for a total of 30 or more cumulative calendar days due to diagnosis or repair of one or more defects that are covered by the manufacturer`s warranty; at least 15 calendar days must have occurred during the manufacturer`s warranty coverage of 12 months and 12,000 miles.
If the manufacturer provided a longer warranty (e.g., five years or 50,000 miles) an eligible defect must have been:
- diagnosed or repaired at least once under the manufacturer`s warranty and within two years and 24,000 miles; OR
- outofservice for a total of 30 or more cumulative calendar days due to diagnosis or repair of one or more defects that are covered by the manufacturer`s warranty; at least 15 calendar days must have occurred within two years and 24,000 miles.

Other Washington Lemon Law FAQs

Q: What Is The Lemon Law?
A: 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 … More
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: 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