A lemon car is a new or, in some states, used vehicle that has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. These defects must seriously impact the vehicle's use, value, or safety. Both federal and state lemon laws provide a legal framework for consumers to seek a refund or replacement vehicle.
The core principle is that if a recurring problem significantly impairs your new car, it's likely a lemon. The definition of a "reasonable number of attempts" varies, but it's often defined by state laws, which typically fall into two categories:
- The Number of Attempts: Most states have a specific threshold. For example, if the same substantial defect has been subject to four or more repair attempts, the car may qualify.
- Days Out of Service: If the car has been in the shop for a cumulative total of 30 days or more within a specific period (like the first year or 12,000 miles) for any number of issues, it may also be considered a lemon.
The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act provides a baseline for warranty enforcement, while individual state laws provide the specific criteria. The table below outlines examples of how different states define a "reasonable number of repair attempts" for a serious safety defect.
| State | Lemon Law Criteria (Example for a Serious Safety Defect) |
|---|
| California | 2 or more repair attempts |
| New York | 4 or more repair attempts, or 30 calendar days out of service |
| Texas | 2 repair attempts for a serious safety hazard (e.g., brakes, steering) |
| Florida | 3 repair attempts for the same issue, or 15 cumulative days out of service |
| Illinois | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service |
It's crucial to maintain detailed records of all repair orders, as this documentation is the primary evidence needed to file a claim. The defect must occur within the vehicle's warranty period, and you must notify the manufacturer of the issue to give them a final chance to fix it.
