Lemon Law FAQ

The Lemon Law protects consumers who unknowingly buy defective cars, ensuring they get a refund or replacement if the manufacturer can’t fix the issue. Imagine buying a new car, only to stall unexpectedly on the highway with no straightforward fix—this law ensures you’re not stuck with a vehicle that keeps failing you. Unlike generic legal firms, Easy Lemon makes the entire process stress-free, guiding you step by step so you don’t have to deal with the back-and-forth negotiations.

While many states focus on new vehicles, some protect used cars if they’re still under the manufacturer’s warranty. Picture buying a “certified pre-owned” car, only to have it spend more time at the mechanic than in your driveway—some states’ lemon laws prevent you from being left with a costly mistake. Easy Lemon helps you determine if your used car qualifies, cutting through the legal jargon so you get answers fast.

Most states require 1-2 attempts for life-threatening issues (like brake failure) and 3-4 for major recurring defects. If your car has spent over 30 days in the shop without a fix, it likely qualifies. Instead of waiting for another “diagnostic check” from the dealer, Easy Lemon fast-tracks your claim, ensuring you don’t waste more time on a car that won’t get better.

Keep records of all repairs, work orders, and communications with the dealer. Once a defect proves unfixable, the manufacturer must offer a buyback or replacement. Many people waste months battling automakers who hope you’ll give up—Easy Lemon steps in to handle the entire process, ensuring you get the maximum compensation without the headache.

Depending on state laws, you may qualify for:

• A full refund, including taxes and fees.
• A replacement vehicle of equal value.
• Reimbursement for repairs, towing, and rental cars.

Some manufacturers try to lowball settlements, offering only partial refunds or credit toward another car. Easy Lemon doesn’t settle for less—we fight for the best possible outcome so you’re not left at a financial loss.

Technically, no, but manufacturers rarely play fair. Without legal support, they may delay, deny, or offer far less than you’re owed. Think of it like negotiating a refund on a defective product—except instead of a store clerk, you’re dealing with corporate lawyers. Easy Lemon eliminates the hassle, handling everything at no upfront cost so you only win.

Yes, leased vehicles are covered in many states, provided they meet the same repair failure criteria. If your leased car constantly breaks down, you shouldn’t be stuck making payments for something unreliable. Easy Lemon ensures you don’t get trapped in a bad lease or forced to buy out a defective car.

Most states require claims to be filed within 1-3 years of purchase or before the warranty expires. If your car is past the timeframe, you may still have options under other consumer protection laws. The worst mistake is waiting too long—Easy Lemon helps you act before manufacturers run out the clock on your claim.

If your car just misses lemon law requirements, you may still have legal options under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state consumer laws. Automakers are known for dodging accountability—Easy Lemon explores every possible avenue to get you compensation, even if your case falls outside traditional lemon law protections.

Not always. A recall means a manufacturer acknowledges a defect, but that doesn’t automatically make your car a lemon. If the issue persists after multiple repair attempts or if the fix is unavailable for months, your vehicle may qualify under lemon law. Easy Lemon helps determine if your recall-related defect qualifies, so you’re not left waiting while your car remains unsafe.

Lemon Law cases are highly successful when handled correctly, with many resulting in a full refund or a comparable replacement vehicle. However, manufacturers don’t give in easily—they may try to dismiss your case, claim the issue isn’t serious, or delay the process. Easy Lemon maximizes your chances of success by building a strong claim, handling negotiations, and ensuring you receive the compensation or comparable replacement vehicle you deserve.

It depends on your documentation and legal strategy. The more repair records and evidence you have, the stronger your case. However, manufacturers often make the process difficult, hoping you’ll give up. Easy Lemon makes winning simple, ensuring you present an airtight case without dealing with corporate pushback.

Most Lemon Law attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and the manufacturer or dealer covers their fees if you win. This ensures you get top legal representation without financial risk. In many cases, the manufacturer or dealer must pay your legal costs, so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses. Easy Lemon offers no-cost legal help, so you can file with confidence.

To file a strong lemon law claim, you’ll need:

• Repair invoices and work orders from the dealership.
• A timeline of defects and repair attempts.
• Purchase or lease agreement.
• Correspondence with the manufacturer or dealership.

Many cases fail due to missing documentation or improper filing. Easy Lemon ensures every document is prepared correctly and submitted, so you don’t lose your case on a technicality.

If your brand-new car keeps breaking down, you don’t have to accept it. The Lemon Law gives you legal leverage to demand a refund, replacement, or compensation—but taking the proper steps is crucial.

Here’s what to do if your new car turns out to be a lemon:

1. Document Everything – Keep detailed repair records and work orders and communicate with the dealership. Your car likely qualifies if the same issue persists despite multiple repair attempts.
2.  Verify Your State’s Lemon Law – Each state has different requirements, including how many repair attempts or days in the shop qualify.
3. Notify the Manufacturer – Most states require written notice before you can officially file a claim. This gives the automaker one last chance to fix the issue.
4. File a Claim – If the defect remains, you can demand a full refund, replacement, or cash settlement.

Manufacturers often stall or offer low settlements. That’s where Easy Lemon steps in—handling the entire process so you don’t have to fight alone.

Used car Lemon Law settlements vary based on state laws, defect severity, and how well your case is documented.

• Typical settlement ranges:
• $3,000 – $10,000+ in cash compensation (if keeping the car).
• Full vehicle buyback (refund + taxes, fees, and payments reimbursed).
• Vehicle replacement (if the automaker offers a fair equivalent).

Used car claims are trickier than new car cases. Some states don’t cover used vehicles without a manufacturer’s warranty. If your claim isn’t clear-cut, Easy Lemon helps maximize your payout and fight lowball offers.

Yes, but only under certain conditions. If you bought or leased a car from a dealership, the Lemon Law applies if:

• The vehicle is new or still under the original manufacturer’s warranty.
• It has severe defects affecting safety, use, or value.
• The dealership attempted repairs multiple times without fixing the problem.
• The vehicle is out of service for an extended period due to ongoing repairs.

What about used cars? Some states don’t protect used cars unless they have a written dealer warranty or are sold as “certified pre-owned.” Easy Lemon determines if your dealer-sold car qualifies—so you don’t waste time fighting a losing battle.

A “No Lemon” policy is a dealership or manufacturer guarantee that promises replacement or refund if a car has repeated defects.

However, unlike state Lemon Laws, these policies:

• Are voluntary (not legally required).
• There may be vague repair limits (e.g., “reasonable repair attempts” without defining how many).
• It could require arbitration instead of a full refund.

What if a “No Lemon” policy doesn’t deliver? You’re still protected by state and federal Lemon Laws. If a dealership refuses to honor its promise, Easy Lemon ensures they’re held accountable.

A Lemon Car Title is a branded title issued when a manufacturer buys back a defective vehicle under the Lemon Law. This alerts future buyers that the car had significant issues in the past. Key facts about Lemon Titles:

• Lemon law buybacks must be reported to the DMV in most states.
• The title will be marked “Lemon” or “Manufacturer Buyback.”
• Resale restrictions vary by state—some states allow lemon-title cars to be resold after repairs, while others prohibit it.

Thinking of buying a used car? Always check the title history before purchasing. Some dealers try to hide Lemon Titles by moving cars across state lines—a practice called title washing. If you unknowingly bought a lemon-title car, you may have legal options. Easy Lemon helps uncover deceptive sales and fights for your rights.