| Every state in America has its own state | | | | 4. The period of filing for claims varies |
| lemon law to protect car owners from | | | | with each state lemon law. Some state lemon |
| defective motor vehicles. The specifics of | | | | laws allow an extended period of up to 5 |
| state lemon laws vary from state to state, | | | | years for filing, while others require the |
| but they all have the same purpose, and there | | | | car owner to file within the warranty period. |
| are several areas of similarity. | | | | |
| | | | 5. All state lemon laws grant consumers a |
| 1. State lemon laws begin with the | | | | replacement automobile or a reimbursement, |
| explanation of a lemon. Specific conditions | | | | following certain criteria. State lemon laws |
| are listed that would determine whether a | | | | will oblige the manufacturer to grant a |
| defective vehicle is actually a lemon or not. | | | | replacement vehicle or reimburse the |
| Typically, a lemon is any motor vehicle that | | | | consumer's money, once certain criteria are |
| has been purchased by the consumer, found to | | | | met. However, there are different criteria |
| be substandard in some way, and has been | | | | involved with every state lemon law, and you |
| repeatedly and unsuccessfully repaired. | | | | must consult your own state's lemon law for |
| | | | clarity. |
| 2. State lemon laws allow car makers to try | | | | |
| getting the vehicle to work again for a few | | | | Most state lemon laws entitle the consumer to |
| times before officially considering a vehicle | | | | a replacement or refund after 4 unsuccessful |
| a lemon. However, the actual number differs | | | | attempts to eliminate the defect. |
| with each state lemon law. | | | | |
| | | | As for the refunds, there are some state |
| 3. State lemon laws put the burden of repair | | | | lemon laws that award a full money-back |
| costs on the manufacturer. All state lemon | | | | benefit to the consumer, but the majority of |
| laws liberate consumers of the expenses of | | | | state lemon laws take into consideration the |
| repairs, if the malfunction is brought to | | | | owner's mileage in computing the repayment. |
| light within a specific period of time. | | | | Each state lemon law has a different |
| Typically, this window lasts up to 24 months | | | | computation for this refund reduction, and |
| from the date of purchase, or 24,000 miles, | | | | you must check with your particular state |
| whichever comes first. | | | | lemon law to be sure. |
| | | | |
| Some state lemon laws also take into | | | | 6. Only about 50% of state lemon laws charge |
| consideration the manufacturer's original | | | | legal bills to the manufacturer. But perhaps |
| warranty, but some state lemon laws allow the | | | | more state lemon laws should include this |
| consumer to receive free restorations even if | | | | clause, because there are significantly more |
| they did not purchase the extended warranty. | | | | cases won in those areas. |
| | | | |