Automobile Lemon Law - Lemon Law specifics

It is common for lawyers to file frivolous suits that are unable to meet the lemon laws rules and guidelines. Many times the lawyer does not make sure that the consumer has followed through with the guidelines set forth by their state and the federal government. A consumer should seek the professional knowledge of a lawyer who is trained in this type of law for specific guidelines in their state that must be followed. The federal government has rules that must be followed, as well as each of the states has certain laws that must be followed. Below are some of those states laws.

Alaska

In order to bring suit in Alaska over lemon laws, the consumer's vehicle must have had three repairs that went unfixed, or they must have went thirty days with the vehicle being out of commission, within one year of purchase or less. Alaska requires certified notification to the seller of their inability to correct the problem after several attempts. It should also be noted to the seller that the consumer demands that a replacement be supplied, or a full refund within 60 days, after this the manufacturer or dealer will have thirty days to correct the problem on last time.

California

Here it is almost the same laws, except that the repairs have to been attempted four times with no correction, or thirty days without the vehicle in service. These thirty days can be spread out within eighteen months or 18,000 miles. This or at least a reasonable amount of repair attempts must have been made. In California, if you are thinking of filing suit, you must first notify the manufacturer in writing and allow the vehicle to be repaired by them within thirty days. Since 2001, only two repair tries are needed to constitute a lemon when safety is a concern that could possibly end in death or serious bodily harm.

Georgia

Here it is required that only three attempts have been made without correcting the problem, but they must be done consecutively and within 24,000 miles, but less than twenty four months. Only one failed attempt is need for safety concerns such as brake defects, or malfunctioning steering control during the first year, or under 12,000 miles. The consumer must notify by certified letter the dealer or manufacturer, which will include a receipt. They then have seven days to contact the customer about repairs, and they have fourteen days to complete the repair.

Iowa

Here it is only needed that three attempts have been made for a repair. One failed repair on a safety concern, or thirty days with the vehicle being out of commission in two years, or 24,000 miles. A standard written notice, certified or registered mail, the manufacturer has to be given ample opportunity to make repairs within ten days of the notice.

As shown here, each state's laws may differ slightly, but each state has an arbitration method, although it is not necessarily mandatory or is it always needed or wanted.