What Do I Need To Do Before I Can Claim That My Car Is A Lemon?

The vehicle must have been taken in for a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect(s). It is already presumed that your vehicle has undergone a reasonable number of attempts in the following situations:

• If you have taken the car in for at least three repair attempts—at least one of which occurred within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles for the same defect, and the defect continues to exist;
• Or, if the car has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days, including at least one repair within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, while being repaired for any number of defects.

Via certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested, you need to provide written notification to the manufacturer (not your dealer) describing the vehicle, the defect(s), and all previous attempts to correct the defect. In this notification, you need to request that the manufacturer make a final attempt to repair the condition. Be sure to include your name, address, day and evening contact information, the license number and model type of your vehicle, and the date and location purchased.

The manufacturer then has 7 calendar days from receipt of your notice ­ to notify you of a reasonably accessible repair facility, and then 14 calendar days after delivery of your vehicle to the repair facility to make this repair.