Lemon Law
By Teresa Ambord
Dealerships could just keep forcing the consumer to bring the vehicle into their repair shop, depriving the owner of the use indefinitely. Thanks to the Lemon Laws, if you have a vehicle that is a true lemon, the manufacturer may be forced to repurchase the vehicle from you, or replace it, if a reasonable number of repair attempts have not fixed the problem.
Lemon Law Defined
The legal definition of lemon law depends on your state law. It can mean that your new car, truck, motor home, or motorcycle spends too many days in the repair shop, or that the same problem keeps recurring, or that the vehicle has a lot of different problems.
My Car Meets the Definition of A Lemon. Now What?
First talk to the dealer. Chances are you've already been in contact with him and haven't had much success. But let him know that you are aware your vehicle is a lemon, you've reviewed your state lemon law, and that you expect him to cooperate.
Lemon Law - To Contact Your Car's Manufacturer
If talking to your dealer has not gotten you any satisfaction, call the manufacturer. Regardless of what you are told, don't assume that the dealer has contacted the manufacturer on your behalf. Log onto this website below to find the phone number you need.
Lemon Law & the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB may be able to act as a liaison between the consumer and the manufacturer if necessary. Not all manufacturers participate in this dispute resolution program. If not, the BBB may still be able to help open communication.
Lemon Law - Still No luck?
If all other avenues fail, you may need to contact a Lemon Law Lawyer or Lemon Law Attorney. Most of them will give you a free consultation and estimate.
Lemon Law - One Consumer's Story
A consumer took his one-year-old car to a repair shop and was asked, "What happened to this poor car?"
The surprised owner explained that the car only had some small scratches from a minor fender bender.
"No, this car has been in a major accident," explained the repairman. He showed the consumer where significant repairs and been done before the car was sold.
Armed with the repairman's statement, the consumer went back to the dealer and demanded compensation. The truth was, the car had been driven 200 miles from the manufacturer to the dealership, and en route, had suffered a major accident. The car was repaired and sold as brand new.
The dealer balked, but the owner was persistent and patient. Even though the consumer had driven the car for over a year, the dealer replaced the damaged car with a brand new one, at no extra cost to the consumer.
Not all stories end so well, but this consumer was tenacious enough to hang in there. He did it without the help of a lemon law attorney, though, if you need one, don't discount what a good lemon law attorney can do for you.
Lemon Law - Next Time, Before You Buy...
If you are still only shopping and want to check out a car to see if it is a lemon, go to CARFAX for a vehicle history.
