Lemon laws · 51 state guides · Updated Oct 2026
If your car keeps going back to the shop for the same problem, your state's lemon law may entitle you to a refund or a new car. Here is each state's rule in plain English: how many repairs count, the deadlines, the notice you must send and how to claim.
Each time the dealer works on the car, get a written repair order that lists your complaint, the date, the mileage and the days in the shop. These papers are your proof.
Lemon laws presume a car is a lemon after a set number of repair attempts for the same problem, fewer for a safety defect, or a set number of days in the shop, within a set time or mileage.
Most states require written notice to the manufacturer (not just the dealer) and give it one last chance to fix the car. Send it by certified mail.
Some states make you try the manufacturer's or the state's arbitration program first. It is usually free.
If the car still isn't fixed, the law lets you choose a refund or a comparable new car. In most states the manufacturer also pays your lawyer if you win.
Periods, repair attempts and days out of service side by side.
Write the letter to the manufacturer in two minutes, free.
What protects you if you bought used.
Your rights in every state, even after the lemon law period.
A new vehicle with a defect covered by the warranty that substantially impairs its use, value or safety, and that the manufacturer could not fix after a reasonable number of tries. Each state defines 'reasonable number' in its lemon law.
Mostly no. State lemon laws mainly protect new vehicles, though a used car still under the original warranty and within the lemon law period is often covered. A few states have separate used-car rules. See our used car page.
Not always, but it often helps. In most states the manufacturer must pay a winning consumer's attorney fees, so many lemon law lawyers take cases without charging you upfront.
You may still have rights under your written warranty and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which also lets a winning consumer recover attorney fees.
In most states yes. Check your state's page.