What Would Be Considered A Lemon?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

A lemon automobile is one which does not conform to the express warranty and cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts at least four repair visits to correct the same malfunction during the warranty period or within one year of delivery of the vehicle; or if the vehicle has been out of service for repair for a combined total of at least 30 days during the same period. If the defect still exists, the manufacturer may replace the lemon with a new vehicle or may give a full refund.

What Do I Have Do To Get A Replacement Or Refund For A Lemon Vehicle?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

A buyer must first use the free mediation or arbitration procedures that the manufacturer has set up to deal with complaints. Be prepared by keeping all receipts for car maintenance and repairs, letters from mechanics and all records on the vehicle. If all else fails, file suit with an attorney.

What Is The Lemon Law?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The Lemon Law states that a manufacturer has a legal duty to repair a new motor vehicle. A lemon is defined as a new motor vehicle (it does not include newly leased or demonstrator vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, or mobile homes) that has a defect which substantially impairs the use and/or market value of the vehicle. This does not include defects caused by consumers abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification of the vehicle.

In addition, a lemon automobile is one which does not conform to the express warranty and cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts at least four repair visits to correct the same malfunction during the warranty period or within one year of delivery of the vehicle; or if the vehicle has been out of service for repair for a combined total of at least 30 days during the same period. If the defect still exists, the manufacturer shall replace the lemon with a new vehicle or give a full refund.

However, a buyer must first use the free mediation or arbitration procedures that the manufacturer has set up to deal with complaints. In mediation, the manufacturer tries to satisfy the customer through a settlement. If the customer is not satisfied, the two parties will proceed to the second step, arbitration. Here an impartial third party will make a decision without the intervention of lawyers. Consumers should be prepared for arbitration procedures by keeping all receipts for car maintenance and repairs, letters from mechanics, and all maintenance records on the vehicle.

What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The following table summarizes what is covered, how many times the vehicle has to be repaired for the same defect and the warranty period.

Vehicles Covered

Repair Interval and Coverage Period

All vehicles under 10,000 pounds except motor homes, motorcycles, and vehicles used for commercial purposes only.

4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.

Warranty period or 1 year.

Note:

Generally, the term Repair Attempts, as it relates to Lemon Law, refers to one or more attempts to fix the same defect although some states consider a vehicle to be a lemon if it required the specified number of repairs within the coverage period.

A car is out of service while being repaired or waiting for parts.

Warranty Period refers to the Manufacturer`s Express Warranty. Where the Coverage Period lists more than 1 option, the period applies to that option which occurs first.

This is only a summary, to get the complete Lemon Law Statute select your state from the combo box menu on the right side of this page, and click Get Statute.

Where Can I Get More Information About The Lemon Law?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Louisiana Attorney General`s Office
Consumer Protection Division
1 America Place
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 708049095
5043429638 or 8003514889
www.laag.com/conpro.cfm

Center for Auto Safety (CAS)
2001 S Street NW
Washington DC 200091160
2023287700
www.autosafety.org
CAS is a non profit consumer group specializing in auto issues. They can help you find out about safety recalls, Lemon Law, secret warranties, and other general information.

Car Talk Car Reports:
You might want to run a Car Talk Car Report (http://cartalk.cars.com/Tools/carreport.pl) on your car, to see if there have been any recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, or a large number of complaints on file relating to your particular problem.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590
Auto Safety Hotline: 8004249393
NHTSA can give you information on the safety recall history of your vehicle.

Free Lemon Law Attorney FAQs

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:06:59 GMT

Free Lemon Law Attorney FAQs