State Lemon Laws - The Common Ground

Every state in America has its own state lemon law toextended warranty.
protect car owners from defective motor vehicles.4. The period of filing for claims varies with each state
The specifics of state lemon laws vary from state tolemon law. Some state lemon laws allow an extended
state, but they all have the same purpose, and thereperiod of up to 5 years for filing, while others require
are several areas of similarity.the car owner to file within the warranty period.
1. State lemon laws begin with the explanation of a5. All state lemon laws grant consumers a
lemon. Specific conditions are listed that wouldreplacement automobile or a reimbursement, following
determine whether a defective vehicle is actually acertain criteria. State lemon laws will oblige the
lemon or not. Typically, a lemon is any motor vehiclemanufacturer to grant a replacement vehicle or
that has been purchased by the consumer, found toreimburse the consumer's money, once certain criteria
be substandard in some way, and has beenare met. However, there are different criteria involved
repeatedly and unsuccessfully repaired.with every state lemon law, and you must consult your
2. State lemon laws allow car makers to try gettingown state's lemon law for clarity.
the vehicle to work again for a few times beforeMost state lemon laws entitle the consumer to a
officially considering a vehicle a lemon. However, thereplacement or refund after 4 unsuccessful attempts
actual number differs with each state lemon law.to eliminate the defect.
3. State lemon laws put the burden of repair costs onAs for the refunds, there are some state lemon laws
the manufacturer. All state lemon laws liberatethat award a full money-back benefit to the consumer,
consumers of the expenses of repairs, if thebut the majority of state lemon laws take into
malfunction is brought to light within a specific period ofconsideration the owner's mileage in computing the
time. Typically, this window lasts up to 24 months fromrepayment. Each state lemon law has a different
the date of purchase, or 24,000 miles, whichevercomputation for this refund reduction, and you must
comes first.check with your particular state lemon law to be sure.
Some state lemon laws also take into consideration6. Only about 50% of state lemon laws charge legal
the manufacturer's original warranty, but some statebills to the manufacturer. But perhaps more state
lemon laws allow the consumer to receive freelemon laws should include this clause, because there
restorations even if they did not purchase theare significantly more cases won in those areas.