Walk It Through: The Lemon
Reported in the first year, 4 repairs or 30 days, the consumer's choice, and 36 months to sue.
A new car's engine misfires within months, and the owner reports it and leaves it for repair.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One car and one misfire. Leases, the use allowance in detail, and dispute settlement procedures are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Lemon lawThe rule that a new motor vehicle's nonconformity, reported before the warranty ends or one year after first delivery, whichever is sooner, is repaired, and after a reasonable attempt fails the consumer chooses replacement or refund.
- Pecuniary lossA money loss from an untrue, deceptive or misleading representation to the public, which a person may sue to recover with costs, including reasonable attorney fees.