The Lemon Law
Section 57-16A-3 — a replacement or refund after a reasonable number of repair attempts
If a new motor vehicle does not conform to its express warranties and the consumer reports it during the warranty term or within one year of delivery, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer or its dealer makes the repairs needed to conform it.
Who handles this in New Mexico: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the New Mexico directory.
If after a reasonable number of attempts it cannot fix a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use and market value, the manufacturer replaces the vehicle with a comparable one, or takes it back and refunds the full purchase price with collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for use before the first report.
An action under the Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act is begun within eighteen months after delivery, or within ninety days after an informal dispute panel's final action, whichever is later. A consumer who prevails recovers reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs.
Sources for this section (3)
- NMSA 1978, § 57-16A-3 — Conformation to express warranties
- NMSA 1978, § 57-16A-8 — Limitation of action
- NMSA 1978, § 57-16A-9 — Reasonable attorney fees
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of November 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Mexico attorney.