Buying a Dodge Ram is often a big investment that you expect to be reliable. But if your truck keeps having problems that remain unsolved after several repair attempts, then understanding your Dodge Lemon Law rights becomes very important.
These rights can help you get a refund, a replacement vehicle, or other compensation so you are not left with a defective truck. A Lemon Law lawyer can guide you through the process and help you get the fair outcome you deserve.
Easy Lemon is a well-known law firm with years of experience in helping lemon victims navigate the legal process of filing a Lemon Law claim. Our team works hard to protect your rights, handle negotiations with the manufacturer, and guide you toward the best possible outcome. Schedule a free case evaluation today.
This article is a comprehensive guide on what Dodge Lemon Law rights are, a step-by-step process on what to do if your Dodge Ram turns out defective, and your options for relief under the Dodge Ram Lemon Law.
What Are Dodge Ram Lemon Law Rights?
Lemon Laws are designed to protect consumers who find themselves stuck with a defective vehicle that can’t be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. For Dodge Ram trucks, a “lemon” usually involves repeated engine problems, transmission issues, or other significant defects that affect the truck’s use, value, or safety.
If you keep returning to the authorized dealer for repairs and the problem remains unsolved, Lemon Laws allow for a refund, a replacement vehicle, or cash settlements. It is important, as a Dodge Ram owner, to know your rights as well as the relief granted to you under the law to avoid losing on both sides.
More importantly, acting quickly once a manufacturing defect is detected can help preserve your right to relief. For instance, California’s Lemon Law sets strict timelines for filing a claim. So, the longer you wait, the harder it can be to seek compensation or reach a favorable outcome.
Generally, both federal and state Lemon Laws protect consumers who have become victims of a lemon. However, keep in mind that each state has its own rules on what counts as a reasonable number of repair attempts and the timeline for filing a claim.
What Common Issues Affect Dodge Ram Vehicles?
Despite its rugged structure and build-up, some Dodge Ram vehicles still experience common issues that can affect performance, safety, and reliability. These could include:
- Engine Problems: This is one of the most frequent complaints Dodge Ram owners report. They consist of issues such as engine failure, stalling, loss of power, excessive oil consumption, and difficulty starting.
- Transmission Issues: such as rough shifting, delayed gear engagement, heavy vibration, clutch failure, and sudden jerking while driving are other big concerns with Dodge Ram vehicles.
- Electrical Troubles: Some owners experience electrical system failures like malfunctioning infotainment screens, flickering dashboard lights, or cruise control malfunctions.
- Other common defects could include brake failures, steering and suspension defects, or alignment troubles.
How Do You Determine if Your Dodge Ram Qualifies as a Lemon?
As stated above, Lemon Law qualifications differ according to state. Knowing the specific qualification criteria for the state you reside in is vital to your Lemon Law claim. However, one of the general criteria all have in common is that the said defects must significantly impair the vehicle’s use, safety, and fair market value.
Also, the defects must defy every effort at repairs and still be under the manufacturer’s original warranty. Most importantly, the car must have been purchased from a dealer located within the state. If you purchased the Dodge Ram as a used vehicle, you may have a slim chance of getting relief under state laws, as only 12 states in the US offer Lemon Law protection for used cars.
But even if you bought the Dodge Ram used, you might still be able to get relief under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as long as the vehicle wasn’t sold ‘as is’ and is still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Below is a breakdown of the 50 US states, the type of vehicles covered, the number of reasonable repair attempts, and their mileage limits.
| State | Vehicles Covered | Reasonable Repair attempts | Mileage/Time Window |
| California | New, leased & certain used (under manufacturer’s new-car warranty) | 4 reasonable attempts, 2 for serious safety, or 30 days or more out of service | 18 months or 18,000 miles |
| Texas | New, leased & used | 4 number of attempts, 2 for serious safety, or 30 out-of-service days | 24 months or 24,000 miles |
| New York | New, leased & used | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 18,000 miles |
| New Jersey | New, leased & used | 3 attempts, 1 for serious safety, or 20+ days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Massachusetts | New, leased & used | 3 attempts or 15 business days out of service | 1 year or 15,000 miles |
| Connecticut | New | 4 attempts, 2 for safety hazard, or 30 days out of service. | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Georgia | New & leased | 3 attempts, 1 for life-threatening safety issues, or 30 days in the repair shop | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Florida | New & leased | 3 attempts or 15+ days out of service | 24 months from delivery |
| Washington | New & leased | 4 repair attempts, 2 serious safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Alabama | New | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Delaware | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | 1 year or warranty period |
| Alaska | New | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or warranty period |
| Wyoming | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year |
| Vermont | New, leased & used | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | Warranty period + 1 year after expiration |
| New Hampshire | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | While under warranty + 1 year |
| Louisiana | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | 1 year or warranty period |
| Montana | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 18,000 miles |
| Kentucky | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Iowa | New & leased | 3 repair attempts, 1 for serious safety issues, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Maine | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service | 3 years or 18,000 miles |
| Arizona | New & used | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles for new cars. 15 days or 500 miles for use. |
| Wisconsin | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or warranty term |
| Oregon | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Missouri | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | 1 year of warranty |
| Hawaii | New & leased | 3 repair attempts, 1 for a serious safety hazard, or 20 calendar days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Illinois | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 |
| District of Columbia | New & leased | 4 repair attempts, 1 for safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 18,000 miles |
| Colorado | New & leased | 4 repair attempts, 2 for serious safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 |
| West Virginia | New & leased | 3 repair attempts, 1 for serious safety issues, or 30 days out of service | 1 year or warranty term |
| Mississippi | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service | 1 year or term of warranty |
| Nebraska | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year |
| Michigan | New, leased & used | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or term of warranty |
| Arkansas | New | 3 repair attempts for the same defects, 5 repair attempts for different defects, 1 repair attempt for serious safety issues, or 30 calendar days out of service. | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Idaho | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Kansas | New & leased | 4 repair attempts, 10 repair attempts for separate defects, or 30 days out of service | 1 year |
| South Dakota | New & leased | 4 repair attempts plus 1 final attempt | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Utah | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 2 years |
| South Carolina | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Pennsylvania | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Oklahoma | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 45 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| New Mexico | New | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or warranty term |
| Minnesota | New, leased & used | 4 repair attempts, 1 for safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or a warranty period |
| Maryland | New & leased | 4 repair attempts, 1 for safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | 2 years or 18,000 miles |
| Nevada | New & used | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or manufacturer’s warranty |
| Indiana | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 18 months or 18,000 miles |
| North Carolina | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or more than 20 days out of service during any one year period | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| North Dakota | New & leased | 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 12,000 miles |
| Ohio | New & leased | 3 repair attempts for the same defects, 8 attempts for separate issues, 1 for serious safety issues, or 30 calendar days out of service | 1 year or 18,000 miles |
| Rhode Island | New, leased & used | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year or 15,000 miles |
| Tennessee | New & leased | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | 1 year |
| Virginia | New, leased & used | 3 repair attempts, 1 for safety hazards, or 30 days out of service | Warranty period or 18 months |
Steps to Take When You Have a Defective Dodge Ram
When dealing with a defective Dodge Ram, knowing the necessary steps can help secure your right to justice. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you’re stuck with a Dodge Ram Lemon.
Document Everything
The first step is documenting everything from repair orders and receipts to emails and text messages. Effective documentation can help prove that the motor vehicle has undergone several repair attempts without any significant changes. You can also take pictures and videos of the vehicle’s defect to show that the defect significantly impairs the vehicle’s use, value, and safety.
Contact the Manufacturer or Dealership
The next step is to contact the manufacturer or dealership with proof of the defect, allowing them a reasonable number of repair attempts depending on your state’s criteria. This could be done through certified mail or other written communication. Also, keep proper documentation of all communication with the vehicle’s manufacturer or dealership.
Consult With a Lemon Law Attorney
Before filing a Lemon Law claim, it is important to engage a Lemon Law attorney. They can help review your Lemon Law case and explain the best action to take. Many Lemon Law attorneys offer a free case evaluation. A significant advantage is that they primarily work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t get to pay them until they win the case.
File a Formal Lemon Law Claim
If the dealer or manufacturer is unable or unwilling to fix the lemon vehicle, your attorney will help you file a Lemon Law claim. Depending on your state, you could be entitled to a full refund or replacement vehicle. In some cases, attorney fees are also covered, so consumers are not left with extra costs while fighting for their rights.
Common Challenges in Dodge Ram Lemon Law Cases
One major challenge Dodge Ram Lemon Law cases face is the pushback from manufacturers over whether the defects are serious enough to meet the Lemon Law standard. They may claim that engine or transmission issues don’t significantly affect the vehicle’s safety, value, or usability, even after several repair attempts.
Another challenge involves strict filing deadlines. Most states have time limits on when a Lemon Law claim must be made after the vehicle is purchased or leased. Missing these deadlines can prevent owners from getting a refund or replacement, even if the case is valid.
Because of these obstacles, having a lawyer who understands Lemon Law rules and procedures can make a big difference. They can handle disputes, ensure deadlines are met, and guide owners through the process to help them reach the best possible outcome.
What Are My Options Under the Dodge Ram Lemon Law?
If your Dodge Ram turns out to be defective, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement vehicle, or additional repairs, depending on the case. Some states also allow for extended service contracts or reimbursement of incidental costs like rental cars or towing. Another option is the cash-and-keep settlement, where a manufacturer pays you a specific amount of money, and you still get to keep the truck.
However, this option usually comes with conditions like giving up the right to make future claims if the defects worsen. Hence, it is necessary to fully understand the different options available to you and the conditions that come with them. Having a Lemon Law attorney by your side can help tilt the balance of your case towards a favorable outcome.
What Is the Lemon Law Buyback Process for Dodge Rams?
The Lemon Law buyback process for Dodge Ram trucks usually starts with ensuring your vehicle qualifies. If your truck has been in the shop several times for the same problem or has stayed there for a good number of days without being fixed, you may have a Lemon Law case.
To begin the Lemon Law process, gather all your repair records, purchase papers, and any communication with the dealer or manufacturer. This proof shows that the truck had serious problems and that you gave them enough chances to fix it. Next, you need to give the manufacturer official notice.
Many states require you to send a written demand letter after a “reasonable number of repair attempts.” If the problems still aren’t fixed, the manufacturer may offer a buyback, where they refund what you paid for the truck minus a small amount for the miles you drove before the first repair. Some cases may also go through arbitration or legal review before a final agreement is reached.
The whole process usually takes one to three months, depending on how quickly the manufacturer responds and the strength of your evidence. Once approved, you get either a refund or a replacement truck, and in many cases, the manufacturer also covers legal fees. Talking to a Lemon Law attorney can help make sure you follow the right steps and get the best possible outcome.
How a Lemon Law Lawyer Can Help
A Lemon Law lawyer can help examine your case to see if it qualifies for a Lemon Law claim. They also provide legal guidance throughout the Lemon Law process, making sure that there are no mistakes. A lawyer can also help you handle negotiations and paperwork so you don’t have to do it yourself. Generally, a dedicated Lemon Law attorney can work to get the best result.
This may be a refund, a replacement vehicle, or a fair cash settlement. If the manufacturer refuses to cooperate, the lawyer can take the case to court on your behalf. Most Lemon Law attorneys don’t charge anything up front. In many states, the manufacturer must pay your legal fees if you win, so you can usually get professional help without financial risk.
Protect Your Dodge Ram Investment
As sturdy and well-built as the American Dodge Ram is, it can still end up being a lemon with serious defects that affect its safety, value, or performance. It can make a huge difference if you know the right steps to take when you are stuck with a defective Dodge Ram. Acting quickly not only protects your rights but also increases your chances of getting the fair compensation you deserve.
That’s where Easy Lemon comes in. Our dedicated team of Lemon Law attorneys has successfully represented thousands of consumers with defective vehicles and knows how to guide you through the entire process, from free case evaluation to securing the best possible outcome. Start by contacting us or visiting any of our offices today.
FAQ
Here are some common questions people often ask about the Dodge Ram Lemon Law and their respective answers
How Hard Is It to Win a Lemon Law Case?
Winning a Lemon Law case depends on having good records and meeting your state’s requirements. You have a better chance of winning if you have proof of repeated repair attempts for the same serious problem. Hiring a competent Lemon Law attorney can also make the process easier and increase the likelihood of success.
How Do I Complain About a Ram Dealership?
Start by contacting the dealership directly with your repair records and concerns. If they don’t respond or fix the issue, you can reach out to the manufacturer’s customer service or file a complaint with your state’s consumer protection office.
What Is the Typical Compensation Under the Dodge Ram Lemon Law?
Compensation can include a full refund, a replacement vehicle, or sometimes a cash settlement if you choose to keep the truck. The exact amount depends on factors like how much you paid, how many miles you drove before the first repair, and your state’s laws.
Can I Sell My Defective Dodge Ram Before Filing a Claim?
Selling your Dodge Ram before filing a Lemon Law claim is usually not a good idea because it can cause you to lose your right to remedies like a refund or a replacement vehicle. In addition, knowingly selling a defective car without disclosing its condition can violate deceptive trade practices laws, which could lead to legal trouble. It’s best to file your Lemon Law claim first and wait for the process to finish before considering a sale.
Do Lemon Laws Cover Used Dodge Ram Trucks?
Some states cover used vehicles under Lemon Laws, especially if they’re still under the original manufacturer’s warranty. Others have separate laws for used cars. It’s best to check your state’s rules or talk to a Lemon Law attorney for clear guidance.
