Lemon Law Information

In 1982, California became the first state to pass a law guaranteeing relief to consumers who purchased a new vehicle that suffered from recurring mechanical problems. Prior to that, consumers had a difficult time obtaining relief when they purchased a car that would not operate reliably even when new. The California lemon law began a new era in consumer rights.

Connecticut followed with a similar law, and since 1993, all 50 states now offer consumers protection if they buy a car that turns out to be a “lemon.” Such laws are referred to as “lemon laws.”

The laws, of course, vary slightly from state to state, but the laws generally define a “lemon” as a new vehicle that:

Has required dealer maintenance for the same repair at least four times,
Has been incapable of operation for a total of 30 days during the first 12 (or in some states, 24) months or 12,000 miles (sometimes 18,000 miles.)

These problems generally must be major defects that affect the vehicle’s safety, reliability or value. An engine with a block that repeatedly cracks will qualify; a faulty stereo may not.