Defective vehicles can be a safety hazard or just make life miserable. However, there are certain requirements before you may have a claim under lemon law. The main criteria are the following:
- Must Be Covered By An Express Warranty – It’s important to review the fine print on your warranty. Certain parts, like brake pads and clutches, may not be covered by the manufacturer because they wear down over time.
- May Violate Federal or State Laws – The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers basically all vehicles and is the primary statute cited in major lemon law claims. If the warranty coverage seems unfair, a lawyer may be able to help remedy the situation.
- Must Have Attempted Repairs – The manufacturer might not be able to repair your car, truck or SUV, but you have to at least let them try to comply with lemon law. By doing so, it may fix the problem, but at least notifies the manufacturer of the issues you’ve been having.
If your situation meets those three criteria, you should be able to receive either a refund or a replacement from the manufacturer, but legal representation could also be necessary if things get difficult with the car maker.
