Lemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars in order to compensate for cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance. These vehicles are called lemons. The federal lemon law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) protects citizens of all states. State lemon laws vary by state and may not necessarily cover used or leased cars. The rights afforded to consumers by lemon laws may exceed the warranties expressed in purchase contracts. Lemon law is the common nickname for these laws, but each state has different names for the laws and acts.
Federal lemon laws cover anything mechanical. The federal lemon law also provides that the warranter may be obligated to pay the prevailing party's attorney in a successful lemon law suit, as do most state lemon laws
Here are the Lemon Laws for various states that covers both new and used automobiles. Click the Lemon Law summary link for each state to read a PDF with indepth analysis of the specific Lemon Law.
If you need a lemon law attorney, you may be surprised to learn the
Better Business Bureau
has a dispute resolution program that can help you resolve your lemon law complaint, and you don't even have to hire a lawyer. Their lemon complaint program covers car warranty issues against participating manufacturers.Get started by filing your lemon law complaint now!
CLICK HERE TO FILE COMPLAINT
State Lemon Laws
Wisconsin Lemon Law Summary
The Wisconsin lemon law covers any motor driven vehicle that (1) is required to be registered or is exempt from registration as a nonresident or foreign-registered vehicle, and (2) a consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in Wisconsin. This includes a demonstrator or executive vehicle, but does not include mopeds, semitrailers, or trailers designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor.
The lemon law does not cover previously -owned vehicles.
Full Wi. Lemon Law Summary
Manufacturers participating in Wisconsin:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Workhorse Custom Chassis
California Lemon Law Summary
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the California lemon law, included within in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and, in part, titled the Tanner Consumer Protection Act. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at California Civil Code § 1793.2 et seq.
The California lemon law covers a “new motor vehicle” (including the chassis cab of a motor home, a dealer-owned vehicle, a “demonstrator”, or other vehicle sold with a manufacturer’s new car warranty) that:
is used or bought for use primarily for personal, family or household purposes, or
has a gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds and be bought or used primarily for business purposes by any person or business to which at least one but not more than five motor vehicles are registered in California.
In addition, the motor vehicle must have been:
purchased or leased at retail in California, or
purchased or leased by a full-time active duty member of the Armed Forces who was stationed or residing in California at the time of purchase or lease or at the time the claim is filed.
Full Ca. Lemon Law Summary
Manufacturers participating in California:
Acura
AM General
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ferrari
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercury
Mini Cooper
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Subaru
Volkswagen
Workhorse
Florida Lemon Law Summary
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Florida lemon law. The complete text of he lemon law can be found at Florida Stat. Ann. Section 681.10 et seq.
The Florida lemon law covers cars and trucks that are sold in Florida to transport persons or property. This includes demonstrators, recreational vehicles (other than the living facilities), and also leased vehicles if the lessee is responsible for repairs. The Florida lemon law does not cover vehicles run only on tracks, off-road vehicles, trucks over 10,000 pounds G.V.W., motorcycles, mopeds, or the living facilities of recreational vehicles.
Full Fl. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Florida:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ferrari
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Ohio Lemon Law Summary
The Ohio lemon law covers (1) a passenger car, (2) a noncommercial motor vehicle, or (3) those parts of any motor home that are not part of the permanently installed facilities used for cold storage, cooking, eating and sleeping.
A “passenger car” is any motor vehicle that is designed and used for carrying not more than nine persons and includes any motor vehicle that is designed and used for carrying not more than fifteen persons in a ridesharing arrangement. Guidance from the Attorney General’s Office indicates that a pick-up truck used exclusively for business purposes is not covered by the lemon law.
Full Oh. Lemon Law Summary
Manufacturers participating in Ohio:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Subaru
Volkswagen
Workhorse
Illinois Lemon Law Summary
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Illinois lemon law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at 815 Ill. Comp. Stat. Sec. 380/1-8.
The Illinois lemon law covers the following new motor vehicles:
1.Passenger cars;
2.Motor vehicles with a vehicle weight of under 8,000 pounds that are designed for carrying more than 10 persons or used for living quarters, for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or implements of husbandry;
3.A vehicle purchased or leased by a fire department or fire protection district; and
4.Specified recreational vehicles.
Does not cover used vehicles.
Full Il. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Illinois:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Subaru
Volkswagen
Workhorse
Indiana Lemon Law Summary
The Indiana lemon law covers any person who, for purposes other than resale or sublease, enters into an agreement or contract in Indiana for the transfer, lease or purchase of a motor vehicle.
Full In. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Indiana:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Michigan Lemon Law Summary
The Michigan lemon law covers any motor vehicle designed as a passenger vehicle, sports utility vehicle, pickup truck, or van. The lemon law does not cover buses, trucks, and motor homes.
A “new motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle that is purchased or leased in Michigan or purchased or leased by a resident of Michigan, and that is covered by a manufacturer’s express warranty at the time of purchase or lease. The lemon law covers used motor vehicles transferred during the manufacturer’s express warranty.
Full Mi. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Michigan:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Georgia Lemon Law Summary
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act (“MVWR Act”), previously codified at Georgia Code Section 10-1-780 et seq.
The Georgia MVWR Act covers a new motor vehicle that is leased or purchased in Georgia or registered in Georgia by the original consumer. It also covers a demonstrator vehicle and the self-propelled vehicle and chassis of a motor home. The MVWR Act does not cover motorcycles, trucks with a G.V.W. rating of 10,000 pounds or more, or vehicles that are bought used.
Full Ga. Lemon Law Summary
Manufacturers participating in Georgia:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Mini Cooper
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Workhorse Custom Chassis
Massachusetts Lemon Law Summary
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Massachusetts lemon law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at General Laws Chapter 90, Section 7N½.
The Massachusetts lemon law covers motor vehicles and motorcycles sold, leased, or replaced by a dealer or manufacturer. The lemon law covers used vehicles sold or leased within the term of protection, but does not cover auto homes, vehicles built primarily for off-road use, or any vehicle used primarily for business purposes.
Full Ma. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Massachusetts:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Mini Cooper
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Arizona Lemon Law Summary
The Arizona lemon law covers motor vehicles, defined as self-propelled vehicles designated primarily for the transportation of persons or property over public highways, including the self-propelled vehicle and chassis of motor homes. The lemon law appears to cover used vehicles.
The lemon law does not cover the portions of a motor home designed, used or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office or commercial space, or vehicles with a declared gross weight over 10,000 pounds.
Full Az. Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in Arizona:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen
Workhorse Custom Chassis
North Carolina Lemon Law Summary
The North Carolina lemon law covers any new motor vehicle or new motorcycle, sold or leased in the state. The lemon law does not cover used vehicles, mopeds, house trailers, or any motor vehicle (1) purchased or leased before October 1, 2005 that has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more or (2) purchased or leased on or after October 1, 2005 that weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
Full NC Lemon Law summary
Manufacturers participating in North Carolina:
Acura
AM General
Audi
Bentley (Rolls-Royce)
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Ford
GMC Truck
Honda
Hyundai
Indian Motorcycle
Infiniti
Isuzu
Kia
Land Rover
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda
Mercury
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
smart USA
Volkswagen