LEMON LAW FAQ

The Lemon Law protects a consumer whose motor vehicle has a non-conformity that substantially impairs the use, value or safety of the new motor vehicle to the consumer. Significantly, the law measures the defect or condition from the point of view of the individual consumer, not the manufacturer or dealer. Clearly, an engine, transmission, brake or steering defect may meet this level of impairment. Additionally, a persistent intermittent defect, such as a water leak, noxious odor, or paint problem, etc., may also be a defect or condition entitling the consumer to relief under the Lemon Law.

A vehicle may be presumed to be a “Lemon” if:

1. The new motor vehicle has been subject to repair of a non-conformity a total of 3 or more times for substantially the same problem within 1 year or 18,000 miles of the original delivery date, and the problem still exists or recurs, or,

2. The new motor vehicle is out of service because of repairs for a total of 30 or more days during the first year, or,

3. The vehicle is subject to eight or more repairs for any non-conformity.

4. The vehicle is subject to one non-conformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury and the non-conformity continues to exist or recurs.

You must give the manufacturer one last opportunity to repair the vehicle by giving the manufacturer written notice, by return receipt service, of the need to repair the vehicle. Notice can be given at any time after the third attempt to repair the same defect or condition or at any time after the vehicle has been out of service for at least 25 days in a repair facility.

After receiving notice, the manufacturer must notify you as soon as reasonably possible of a reasonably accessible repair facility to take your vehicle to have it repaired. After delivery of the vehicle to the designated repair facility, the manufacturer has five business days to repair the vehicle. If the vehicle is not repaired within five business days, you may receive a comparable replacement vehicle or a refund of the purchase or lease price.

If a manufacturer has established or participates in an informal dispute settlement procedure, the Lemon Law does not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to such procedure, if the procedure does all of the following:

• Complies with the Magnuson-Moss warranty – federal trade commission improvement act, Public Law 93-637, 88 Stat. 2183, and 16 C.F.R. 703 (1975);

• Requires that the manufacturer to be bound by a decision that the consumer agrees to;

• Provides that the consumer is not obligated to accept the decision and may pursue the remedies provided by the Lemon Law; and

• Requires the manufacturer to begin the process of implementing any final settlement not more than 30 days after the settlement has been reached

Yes. The buyer or lessee must have the repairs, for the same defect, within the first year or 18,000 miles from the original delivery date. Alternatively, the vehicle must be out of service for repair for 30 or more days during the term of the manufacturer's express warranty or within 1 year of delivery, whichever is earlier. A third possibility is that the vehicle is subject to eight repairs for any non-conformity within the first year or 18,000 miles from the original delivery date. Finally, if during the first year or 18,000 miles from the original delivery date, the vehicle is subject to one repair for a non-conformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury and the non-conformity continues to exist or recurs.

Yes. The buyer or lessee has the right to demand a refund or may choose to accept a comparable replacement motor vehicle currently in production. If a lessee agrees to accept a replacement vehicle, the lease agreement cannot be changed, except to substitute the vehicle identification number.

The “purchase price” of the vehicle is the actual vehicle sales price listed on the buyer’s order including any cash payment, trade-in allowance, sales tax, license and registration fees and other government charges. The “lease price” means the actual sales price paid by the lessor and includes the same additions as the “purchase price.” Excluded are debts from other transactions as well as customer discounts, rebates and incentives.

The "full purchase price" of the vehicle is:

1. In the case of a sale, the contract price for the motor vehicle,including charges for transportation, undercoating, dealer-installed options and accessories, dealer services, dealer preparation, and delivery charges; all finance, credit insurance, warranty, and service contract charges incurred by the consumer; and all sales tax, license and registration fees, and other government charges.

2. In the case of a lease, the capitalized cost reduction, security deposit, taxes, title fees, all monthly lease payments, the residual value of the vehicle, and all finance, credit insurance, warranty, and service contract charges incurred by the consumer.

No. Any contract clause which seeks to waive a consumer's rights under the Lemon Law is void.

The Lemon Law is only one law protecting buyers and lessees. Consumers may also pursue claims under the Ohio Consumer Protection Act, Ohio Uniform Commercial Code, Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and other contract remedies.

No, unless the manufacturer's mediation procedure conforms to Federal Trade Commission regulations and the manufacturer expressly requires the consumer to resort to the mediation process, there are other requirements on the manufacturer. Many manufacturers' mediation procedures do not meet the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission regulations.

No. The manufacturer is bound by the decision, but the consumer is not. Be sure to review all rules since many arbitration programs (as opposed to mediation) are binding.

Yes. The law authorizes the court to award reasonable attorney fees to a buyer who wins in court.

Yes. Any action must be brought within 5 years of the date of original delivery of the vehicle. This means that a lawsuit must be started or the case resolved within this period. The 5 year period may be extended for the amount of days that a complaint is pending within a qualified informal dispute resolution program.

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• Purchase agreement, Retail Installment Sales Contract or Lease Agreement

• Memorandum Title or Title (if purchased)

• Application for Title (RD108)

• Registration

• Repair invoices