If you are driving a defective truck, you should be aware of the Texas Ram Lemon Law requirements. A Texas Lemon Law claim can be filed if the truck has substantial defects affecting use, value, or safety of the vehicle within the specified timeframe.
Easy Lemon offers access to an experienced lemon law attorney who can navigate your case. As lemon law experts, we’ve successfully secured compensation for thousands of clients. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Texas Lemon Law rules for Ram trucks and show you how to file a claim if your vehicle is defective. We also explore your compensation options, including a Texas Lemon Law Ram buyback or replacement vehicle.
What Is the Texas Ram Lemon Law?
If you have a defective motor vehicle in Texas that’s still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you may be entitled to a replacement or buyback. Texas has strict guidelines for what vehicles qualify, so it’s important to understand the regulations before starting a Lemon Law case.
Key Provisions of the Texas Dodge Ram Lemon Law
As a consumer, it’s crucial to understand these key guidelines to the Texas Lemon Law for Ram vehicles.
- The defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.
- The defect must first be noticed within 24 months or 24,000 miles of the original delivery date.
- Manufacturers must have adequate chances to repair the issue. For non-safety issues, four repair attempts are needed. Otherwise, two reasonable repair attempts are needed for any defect that could lead to serious bodily injury or death.
- The vehicle has been out of service for over thirty days for warranty repairs.
If your truck meets these requirements, it’s imperative to speak with a Ram Lemon Law Texas attorney about your rights. You don’t want to miss any lemon law filing deadlines that could cost you compensation.
What Are the Requirements for the Texas Ram Lemon Law?
To qualify as a “lemon” in Texas, a Ram truck must meet a few basic eligibility rules. The problem must occur during the warranty period and must affect the truck’s use, value, or safety. Additionally, the manufacturer must get a reasonable number of chances to fix the defect.
Necessary Conditions for Filing a Lemon Law Claim
To file a successful Texas Ram Lemon Law claim, the vehicle must meet several key conditions. These rules help determine whether the truck’s issue is serious enough and whether the manufacturer had a fair chance to fix it.
Texas Lemon Law covers personal-use vehicles, including the Ram truck. It can be leased or financed.
It must also be covered by the manufacturer’s written warranty. For this reason, some Certified Pre-Owned trucks are still included.
Furthermore, to qualify for Lemon Law, the defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. For this reason, minor cosmetic issues or small rattles aren’t covered.
Finally, the manufacturer must be allowed a reasonable number of repair attempts. If the defect fails to meet the serious safety hazard test, only two attempts are required. Otherwise, a minimum of four are needed.
How Can You File a Texas Ram Lemon Law Claim?
Filing a claim on a lemon vehicle isn’t difficult, especially with the right attorney on your side. Follow our guidelines to get through the lemon law process easily.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting the Lemon Law Process
The most important step of the process is to document all of the repairs. Every attempt should be performed at an authorized dealer and you should have detailed records to prove them. If you can take photos or videos of the defect to further prove the case, this evidence only strengthens your claim.
Additionally, you want to ensure that your vehicle qualifies, not only under Texas law, but also federal guidelines, known as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. An attorney can help you decide if your truck qualifies before you start a claim.
Once you’ve met all of the requirements, it’s time to file a Lemon Law complaint through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV). You should also send the manufacturer written notice through certified mail.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of a Texas Ram Lemon Claim?
Following the Lemon Law process, there are several possible outcomes to consider. Your legal counsel helps you determine what’s best in your situation, but these are the most common outcomes.
Lemon buyback – Ram buys back your truck based on the purchase price minus any offset for the miles you’ve used it before the defect started. This option allows you to purchase a new vehicle of your choice.
Replacement vehicle – Ram offers you a comparable vehicle to the one you are driving and you swap out with the defective one. This option allows for a seamless transfer of financing or lease arrangements.
Cash-and-keep settlement – If the defect is minor, you may be offered a cash settlement to keep the truck. However, you may not be given the option to file further claims on the defect, so it’s important to discuss this possibility with an attorney. You may also have trouble getting fair market value when you sell it as a used vehicle, especially if the defects are outlined on a vehicle history report.
Through the legal process, the manufacturer may offer further benefits, such as additional repair attempts. You may also be given an extended warranty to cover future issues. Aside from those benefits, the manufacturer may pay your attorney fees, taxes, registration, towing, fees for a comparable loaner vehicle and any other out of pocket expenses you’ve paid.
Ready to Win Your Lemon Car Case?
As Texas Ram lemon law experts, we’re here to fight for your rights and get you the justice you deserve. Take action now for a successful outcome!
Easy Lemon has the experience needed to get a quick resolution for Texas consumers. We can look at the manufacturer’s original warranty and other documentation you have to see what you may be owed. Find us on Google and contact us today for your free consultation.
FAQs
A substantial manufacturing defect can turn a new vehicle into a daily headache, which is why state law administered protections designed to protect consumers when a manufacturer can’t fix serious problems. Below are answers to the most common questions.
What Are My Rights in Texas for a Ram With a Bad Engine?
If your Ram’s engine fails under the original factory warranty and the problem substantially impairs the truck’s use, value, or safety, you have specific rights under Texas law. The manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of attempts to repair the engine. If they can’t fix it, you may qualify for a refund or a replacement vehicle through the Texas Lemon Law.
When Do I Have to File a Lemon Law Complaint With My Ram in Texas?
You must file a Texas Lemon Law complaint while the vehicle defect is still within the state’s required Texas filing and mileage limits. In most cases, that means filing within 6 months of the earliest of: the warranty expiring, hitting 24 months, or reaching 24,000 miles.
What Are the Costs Involved in a Texas Ram Lemon Law Case?
Most Texas Ram Lemon Law cases involve no upfront cost to the vehicle owner. You won’t pay for warranty repairs and the manufacturer may be required to cover your legal fees. As long as you can prove a substantial defect that the manufacturer couldn’t fix, you may not need to pay anything out of pocket.
What Are Some Mistakes Made With a Texas Ram Lemon Law Claim?
Common mistakes in a Texas Ram Lemon Law claim involve both the vehicle owner and how the process is handled for new motor vehicles. Owners sometimes fail to document multiple repair attempts, ignore warranty terms, or assume minor issues qualify as a lemon. Properly tracking repairs and understanding the law helps prevent delays or denial of a valid claim.
Can I Get a Free Case Evaluation for My Defective Vehicle in TX?
Yes. Many Texas Lemon Law firms offer a free case evaluation to determine whether your vehicle qualifies. During the evaluation, they assess if your truck has a substantial risk to safety or value and confirm whether it is among the vehicles covered under the state law.
What Are the Attorney Fees for a Lemon Law Attorney in TX?
In Texas, if your Lemon Law claim is successful, the manufacturer may be required to pay attorney fees, so you typically won’t have to cover them yourself. These fees are separate from any repair costs you’ve incurred. To qualify, you must show that the manufacturer failed to fix the defect after a reasonable number of attempts under the warranty.
