A car is meant to be bought and driven without requiring visits to a repair facility for a factory defect. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, which is why the number of people asking the question: “Does Georgia have a Lemon Law?” has increased over the years. The answer is yes, Georgia has a Lemon Law that allows consumers with defective vehicles to seek relief from manufacturers.
But while the protection is there, the process isn’t as easy or quick as it sounds. From strict deadlines to complex arbitration processes, skipping a single requirement can ruin your chances of getting the relief you deserve, which is why you need a reliable Lemon Law lawyer.
Easy Lemon is one of the leading law firms with dedicated Georgia Lemon law attorneys and a success rate of 99.9% in helping defective car owners secure refunds, replacement vehicles, and cash settlements from manufacturers, at no upfront cost. You can contact us today for a free case evaluation.
This article covers what the Georgia Lemon Law entails, the eligibility criteria under the state’s law, and what to do if you’re stuck with a defective vehicle.
What Is the Georgia Lemon Law?
Georgia Lemon Law, also known as the Georgia Motor Vehicle Protection Act, is a law established to protect unsuspecting victims of lemons. It applies when a new motor vehicle has a serious defect or ongoing problem that the manufacturer or authorized dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts.
When this happens, it cripples the consumer’s ability to maximize the vehicle for ordinary use or its reasonable intended purposes. Therefore, the law requires the manufacturer to either buy back the vehicle or replace it. It’s designed to ensure that new buyers and lessees aren’t stuck with a defective vehicle.
The Georgia Lemon Law covers vehicles maintained primarily for personal, family, or household use, as well as certain business purposes, specifically, when a person buys or leases no more than ten new motor vehicles per year, excluding those used for limousine rental services. The law also applies to self-propelled vehicles and the chassis of motor homes.
However, it does not cover motorcycles, golf carts, boats, ATVs, trailers, campers, trucks over 12,000 pounds or vehicles primarily designed for commercial use or as living quarters. It also does not apply to a used vehicle. As such, it is important to note that this law protects only new motor vehicles purchased, leased, or registered in Georgia.
Does Georgia Have a Lemon Law?
Yes, Georgia does have a Lemon Law, officially known as the Georgia Lemon Law and found in Georgia Code § 10-1-780 et seq. As stated earlier, it protects consumers who purchase or lease eligible automobiles from a new motor vehicle dealer in the state. The law applies when the vehicle turns out to have defects not caused by the owner’s negligence or unauthorized modifications. Such defects must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, and must persist even after multiple repair attempts.
The law helps to maintain trust in the marketplace by making sure that motor vehicle dealers, manufacturers, and authorized agents promptly address significant quality issues. Enacted in 1990, the law was revised in 2009 and has remained unchanged since then, even as of 2025.
Does Georgia Have a Lemon Law for Used Cars?
No, Georgia does not have a Lemon Law that covers used cars. The state’s official Lemon Law only applies to new motor vehicles that are purchased, leased, or registered in Georgia. In short, used-car buyers don’t receive the same legal protections as new car buyers under Georgia’s Lemon Law.
While Georgia’s Lemon Law doesn’t apply to used vehicles, consumers may still have protections under other laws. If a used car is sold with a valid warranty from the dealer or manufacturer, it may be covered under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Additionally, Georgia’s Motor Vehicle Damage Disclosure Law requires that motor vehicle dealers disclose any defects they knew about prior to selling a vehicle. While this law doesn’t give the same protections as the Georgia Lemon Law, it makes it harder for dealers to hide serious problems from buyers.
So, if you’re buying a used car in Georgia, it is advisable to read all the transfer documents carefully, check that the odometer reading is accurate, and ascertain whether the car is being sold “as is” or with a limited warranty. Taking these steps can help you examine the car’s condition and improve your chances of getting help if repair problems come up later.
Are Leased Vehicles Covered Under the Georgia Lemon Law?
Yes, leased cars are covered under the Georgia Lemon Law. If you lease a vehicle in Georgia and it turns out to be defective, you can seek remedies under the Lemon Law as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Essentially, you have the same rights as someone who bought the vehicle.
For leased vehicles, the manufacturer reimburses the leasing company, refunds your lease payments and eligible incidental costs, minus a small deduction based on the number of miles you’ve driven before the first repair attempt. After the manufacturer pays the amount to the lessor and the lessee pays the lessor any past due payments, the lease agreement is terminated with no penalty for early termination.
This means you are free from the lease once the process is complete, and you won’t owe any future payments. In summary, leasing a vehicle doesn’t stop you from using the Georgia Lemon Law. As long as you meet the deadlines, follow the process, and give the manufacturer a fair chance to fix the issue, the law allows you to seek compensation whether you bought or leased the vehicle.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the Georgia Lemon Law?
For your vehicle to qualify as a Lemon under Georgia’s Lemon Law, it must meet some requirements. The very first is that your vehicle must have been purchased, leased, or registered in Georgia, and the title must have been issued to you as the first owner or lessee. Next, your vehicle must be covered under the law, meaning, as stated earlier, that it must not be a motorcycle, moped, or truck with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 12,000 pounds.
For motor homes, only the self-propelled vehicle and chassis are covered, not the commercial space or living quarters. If the vehicle is used for business purposes, it must not be part of a fleet of more than ten vehicles, purchased or leased within a year. Likewise, it must not be used for limousine rental services.
For a successful claim, the issue of the eligible vehicle must occur and be reported during the Lemon Law rights period, which is the period ending two years after the vehicle’s delivery or before the odometer reading reaches 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Most importantly, your vehicle is considered a Lemon if the problem meets one of these requirements:
- A serious safety defect: This means a life-threatening defect or one that substantially impairs the consumer’s ability to operate or control the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle must have been taken in for repair once without being fixed.
- 3 repair attempts: If it’s not a life-threatening defect, you can still qualify for a Lemon law claim if the problem impairs the car’s value, use, or safety. In this instance, you need three unsuccessful repair attempts for the same defect.
- 30 days out of service: If your vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative of 30 days due to repeated repairs for one or more defects, it can be said to be a Lemon. Note, these days do not need to be consecutive and may include both weekends and legal holidays. And if the vehicle is still at the repair facility when the Lemon law rights period expires, the law extends the time until that repair is completed.
Proper documentation is critical for a Lemon law claim. Therefore, endeavor to keep a well-detailed record of your repair orders from each visit, written correspondence to the manufacturer, and so on. This paperwork can prove vital when you eventually file a Lemon law claim.
What to Do if You Buy a Defective Vehicle in Georgia
If you ever find yourself with a defective vehicle that qualifies as a Lemon, here’s a step-by-step process on what you can do to protect your rights and increase your chances of relief:
Document the Issue and Communicate
The first step to take when you discover that your newly purchased or leased vehicle is a Lemon is to keep detailed records of all problems you experience with the vehicle and then communicate with the dealership or manufacturer in writing about the defect. If possible, you can take pictures and make videos of the defect to help strengthen your case.
Save every repair order, invoice, and any written or email correspondence with the dealer or manufacturer. Note the odometer reading and date each time the car is taken in for repairs. This documentation will help prove that the defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s value, safety, or use.
Request Repairs
The next step is to send a written request for repairs to the dealer or manufacturer. The state’s Lemon Law requires that the manufacturer be allowed a reasonable number of attempts to fix the defect. One attempt for a life-threatening defect, three for every other kind of defect, or 30 cumulative days in the shop for one or more defects. Always send notices by certified mail, with a return receipt so you can have proof.
Send a “Final Opportunity to Repair” Letter
If, after multiple repairs, the defect still persists, you must give the manufacturer one last chance to fix it before filing a claim. You must send a written notice by certified mail with a return receipt or by a statutory overnight delivery through the United States Postal Service (USPS) or a commercial package delivery firm, using the address in your owner’s manual.
Note that this step does not apply if your vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative of 30 days due to repairs. Once the manufacturer receives this notice, they must tell you within seven days where to bring the vehicle for the final attempt to repair it. After this, they have 28 days from the day they received your notice to complete the work.
If you deliver the vehicle more than 14 days after they received your notice, their 28-day repair period is extended, which means they have 14 days from the day you bring it in to finish the repair. If the manufacturer fails to respond within the deadlines or does not finish the repair in time, this final opportunity to repair requirement no longer applies.
Consult a Georgia Lemon Law Attorney
You should also consult a Lemon law attorney as early as possible. A Lemon law attorney can help evaluate your case and tell you the next step to take to your advantage. While the state’s Lemon Law applies only to new vehicles, an attorney can help you explore other legal options if your case involves a used vehicle, such as protections under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or Georgia’s general consumer protection laws.
Use the Dispute Resolution Process
If your Lemon law claim isn’t resolved through repairs, you may need to engage in dispute resolution. If the manufacturer uses an informal dispute settlement mechanism, you are required to go through that process before your case can go to the Georgia New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Panel. Note that the dispute resolution program must be certified by the Consumer Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Law, or else you won’t be mandated to go through it.
Nonetheless, you’re free to accept or reject the decision from this process if you’re not satisfied. If no decision is made within 40 days, you can then apply for state-run arbitration. Bear in mind that you can’t take legal action under the Georgia Lemon Law unless you’ve first completed these certified dispute steps.
Final Resolution
If the issue remains unsolved, the manufacturer must provide settlements, which could either be a replacement vehicle or a refund. Refunds cover the purchase price, collateral charges, and incidental costs, minus a reasonable offset for use. In the case of a leased vehicle, once the lessor is paid and any past-due amounts are covered, the lease is terminated with no penalty for early termination.
Can Consumers Seek a Refund Under the Georgia Lemon Law?
Yes, consumers in Georgia can get a refund, but only if their vehicle qualifies as a Lemon and the necessary requirements are met, and the procedures are followed. The refund for purchased vehicles includes the full purchase price, sales tax, title fees, dealer-installed options, and other related costs, minus a deduction for the miles driven before the first repair attempt.
For leased vehicles, the lessee gets back all payments made under the lease minus the mileage deduction, and the lessor is paid 110% of the adjusted capitalized cost. If you don’t want a refund, the law allows you to choose a replacement vehicle that’s identical or very close in value and features to your original one, with the manufacturer covering all related costs.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lemon Law Claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, you must start a Lemon law claim within one year after the Lemon law rights period ends. The rights period lasts for the first two years after delivery of the new vehicle to you, or the first 24,000 miles on the odometer, whichever comes first. If you’re using a certified informal dispute program first, you have either one year after the rights period or 60 days from the program’s decision, whichever is later, to request state arbitration.
There are some limited extensions to the Lemon Law statute of limitations. For example, if your vehicle is in the shop when the rights period expires, the period extends until the repair attempt is finished. Delays caused by events like strikes, natural disasters, or other emergencies may also extend the timeline. To protect your rights, it is advisable to start documenting problems as soon as they happen.
Need an Experienced Lemon Law Lawyer in Georgia?
It’s exhausting when you’ve invested a significant amount of money in a car, only to be stuck in a cycle of repairs that never fix the problem. In Georgia, filing a Lemon law claim isn’t as easy as it sounds, with strict deadlines and specific notice requirements. Missing one step could mean losing your right to a refund, replacement, or other remedies. That’s why having the right legal help can make a huge difference.
Easy Lemon is a reputable law firm known for its tenacity in handling Lemon law cases, no matter how complex they may be. With over $50 million recovered in settlements, our team of seasoned Georgia Lemon law lawyers has all it takes to protect your rights, negotiate with manufacturers, and secure the best possible relief for you. Contact us today to get started.
FAQ
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Georgia’s Lemon Law and clear answers to guide you.
Can I Return a Defective Car in Georgia?
Yes, but only if your new motor vehicle meets the requirements of the state’s Lemon Law, such as having a serious safety defect or nonconformity that the manufacturer or authorized dealer can’t fix. Then you may be eligible for a refund or replacement. Note that Georgia does not have a dedicated Lemon Law for used cars.
How Long Do You Have to Return a Car After Purchase in Georgia?
Georgia does not have a “cooling-off” period for vehicle purchases, so you generally cannot return a car just because you change your mind. Under the Lemon Law, you have two years from the date of delivery or 24,000 miles—whichever comes first—to report problems and begin the claim process
What Do I Do If a Dealership Sold Me a Bad Used Car in Georgia?
If the car was sold with a warranty, contact the dealer immediately for repairs. If it was sold “as-is”, your options are limited, but you can still check whether the dealer failed to disclose known defects or violated state consumer laws. Always keep your transfer documents, the odometer reading, and document any issues.
What Legal Rights Do Consumers Have Under the Georgia Lemon Law?
If your car is considered a motor vehicle nonconforming under the Georgia Lemon Law, you have the right to a repair, refund, or replacement.
How Do I File a Lemon Law Complaint in Georgia?
Start by documenting all repair attempts. Then send a certified mail notice to the manufacturer. If they fail to resolve the issue, you may need to go through a certified informal dispute resolution program before requesting state arbitration. Detailed instructions are available through the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit.
How Many Repair Attempts Are Required Before a Vehicle Is Considered a Lemon in Georgia?
Typically, one failed attempt for a life-threatening defect, three failed attempts for the same nonconformity, or a total of 30 days out of service during the Lemon law rights period will meet the threshold. These repairs must be done by the manufacturer, an authorized dealer, or an authorized agent.
