After finding out that your new car is actually a lemon, of course, you would want your money back or get a replacement vehicle.
A car considers a “lemon” if it has intermittent, unfixable problems. Each state in the US has a specific “lemon law” that would make sure customers get the car they deserve.
If your new car turns out to be a lemon, you are not alone.
Every year, some 150,000 cars turn out to be lemons.
Is Your Car Considered a Lemon?
To get the refund or the car replacement you deserve, you must first find out if your car qualifies as a lemon.
In most state laws, your car considers a lemon if it has significant defects that the warranty still covers and if you can’t fix it after going through repairs several times.
Usually, your car must be new to take advantage of the lemon law.
Substantial Defects
“Substantial defects” include problems with the steering, faulty brakes, and anything that could impair the safety and the value of the new car.
Less substantial defects like doorknob problems are not considered “substantial defects.”
There are circumstances, however, when the difference between significant and minor flaws is not clearly defined.
The significant defects must happen within one to two years after the car was bought or usually under 12,000 to 24,000 miles.
Repair Attempts
The dealer or the manufacturer must have performed reasonable, substantial repairs on the car. If it still isn’t fixed, then it is considered a lemon.
To be protected by your state’s lemon law, the defect must be considered a serious safety problem.
If that problem is not fixed after one reasonable repair attempt, it regards as a lemon.
Individual states require three to four repair attempts before the car is viewed as a lemon.
If it has been in the shop for over 30 days within a year to fix its warranty defects, then the vehicle is regarded as a lemon.