Lemon Law

What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?

Last updated July 2, 2024

The lemon law does not apply just to passenger cars. It covers any new motor vehicle other than a house trailer, provided that the vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more. Thus, the law covers pickup trucks, motorcycles and most vans, as well as cars. And the purpose for which the vehicle is purchased or leased is not relevant. But, any cars purchased or leased prior to October 1, 1987 is not covered by the lemon law.

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

Any new motor vehicle other than a house trailer, provided that the vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more. This includes pickup trucks, motorcycles and most vans.

4 repair attempts or more than 20 days out of service during any 12 month period.

2 years or 24,000 miles.

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.