Understanding Lemon Laws: What Products Are Covered?

Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers who have purchased a product that turns out to be defective. In California, the lemon law applies to most new vehicles purchased or leased in the state that are still under a manufacturer's new-vehicle warranty. Lemon laws also cover used vehicles, as long as they are still under warranty. Lemon laws apply to a range of consumer goods, including boats, watercraft, and consumer electronics, as well as the chassis, chassis cab, and drivetrain of a motor home.

Cars

Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers who have purchased or leased a car that turns out to be defective. In the US, each state has its own lemon law, but they all provide remedies for consumers who have bought faulty products.

In California, for example, the lemon law applies to most new vehicles purchased or leased in the state that are still under the manufacturer's new-vehicle warranty. The law also applies to used vehicles that are still under a manufacturer's new car warranty, with any remaining time on the warranty protecting the car's new owner. If a manufacturer cannot repair a defect after a "reasonable" number of attempts, the law may require them to buy back or replace the vehicle.

To qualify as a lemon in California, a vehicle must meet several requirements, including having an existing warranty, being purchased from a dealer or manufacturer, and having a material defect that substantially impairs its function. Safety-related defects will generally require fewer repair attempts than non-safety-related issues.

In Maryland, the lemon law applies to new motor vehicles (cars, light trucks, or motorcycles) that require frequent repairs, substantially impairing their use and market value. If a dealer or manufacturer cannot fix the problem after a specified number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a refund or a replacement vehicle.

It's important to note that lemon laws vary by state, and there may be specific requirements and procedures to follow when filing a claim. Consumers should review their state's lemon law and consult with an attorney if they believe they have purchased a lemon vehicle.

Boats and other watercraft

Lemon laws are not limited to land-based vehicles like cars and trucks. They also apply to boats and other watercraft. In California, for instance, lemon laws cover boats and watercraft as long as they were sold with a manufacturer's warranty.

A wide range of watercraft is protected by law, including powerboats, sailboats, yachts, jet skis, and personal watercraft. If you own a watercraft that was defective at the time of purchase, you may be entitled to lemon law protections.

To qualify for lemon law protection, you'll need to prove that your boat has a substantial defect that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts. This means demonstrating that:

• You own or lease your boat
• Your boat is subject to a manufacturer's warranty
• Your boat has a defect that materially affects its use, value, or safety
• The defect is covered by the warranty
• You've attempted to have the boat repaired several times
• The defect persists after your repair attempts
• Your boat's defects were not caused by an accident or failure to maintain the boat properly

If the manufacturer refuses to refund or replace your defective boat after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you should speak with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney. They can review your case and determine if you have made enough repair attempts and if your defect is sufficiently material.

Consumer goods and electronics

Lemon laws are regulations that protect consumers who have purchased defective vehicles or other consumer goods. The term "lemon" usually refers to defective motor vehicles, but lemon laws can apply to other consumer goods and electronics.

In California, for example, lemon laws cover a wide range of products, including vehicles, boats, electronics, and appliances. The state's lemon laws provide protection for consumer goods purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use. California lemon laws exclude clothes and consumable goods, such as fruits, vegetables, cosmetics, and over-the-counter drugs.

Lemon laws in other states may also cover electronics and consumer goods. For instance, the North Carolina Lemon Law applies to new cars, trucks, motorcycles, and vans, while New York's lemon law covers personal or family cars.

Lemon laws offer consumers a means of enforcing their rights when purchasing defective products. These laws require manufacturers to correct any defects, replace the product, or refund the consumer. The specific obligations and protections provided by lemon laws vary by state and jurisdiction.

Used vehicles

Lemon laws are state laws that provide legal rights to buyers of vehicles, protecting consumers in the case of quality or performance issues with the purchased vehicles. While lemon laws typically apply to new vehicles, there are some instances in which they can also apply to used vehicles.

In some states, lemon laws can apply to used vehicles that are still covered by a manufacturer's express warranty at the time of purchase or lease. This means that if a used vehicle is still under warranty and a defect occurs during the warranty period, the buyer may be protected under lemon laws.

For example, in Michigan, the lemon law applies to vehicles still covered by the manufacturer's express warranty. So, if a used vehicle is still under warranty and a defect occurs, the buyer may be protected under Michigan's lemon law. The problem must be reported to the manufacturer or its authorized dealer within one year from the date the vehicle was delivered to the original buyer.

Similarly, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which serves as a federal lemon law, makes no distinction between new and used vehicles. It applies to any used vehicles that meet the definition of a lemon, which is a vehicle with a defect reported during the warranty period and persisting after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

However, it's important to note that state-specific lemon laws may treat used vehicles differently. Some states may exclude used vehicles from protection under their lemon laws, especially if the vehicle is older or no longer under the original manufacturer's warranty.

In summary, while lemon laws primarily apply to new vehicles, there are instances where they can also apply to used vehicles, depending on the specific state laws and the circumstances of the purchase. If you believe you have purchased a defective used vehicle, it's recommended to consult with a lemon law attorney to understand your rights and options.

Motorcycles

Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles or other consumer products. While lemon laws typically apply to cars, trucks, and SUVs, they may also cover motorcycles in certain states and under federal law.

Federal Lemon Law

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, also known as the Federal Lemon Law, applies to all consumer products, including motorcycles. This law protects consumers across the United States, regardless of their state's specific lemon law provisions.

State Lemon Laws

State lemon laws vary, but many states do include motorcycles under their definition of "consumer goods." Generally, for a motorcycle to be covered under state lemon laws, the purchaser must have received an express or written warranty, and the bike must have been bought for family, household, or personal use.

Some states, such as California, have more comprehensive lemon laws that cover most consumer goods, including motorcycles, as long as they meet certain criteria. In California, a motorcycle must have an existing warranty, be purchased from a dealer or manufacturer, and the manufacturer or dealer must have had a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle.

However, it is important to note that there are states where lemon laws explicitly exclude motorcycles. For example, the District of Columbia's lemon law does not cover motorcycles.

Issues with Motorcycle Lemon Law Claims

Motorcycle lemon law cases share similarities with car lemon law claims, but there are some unique issues. One common issue is the number of days a motorcycle spends in the shop for repairs, which tends to be longer than for cars. Additionally, motorcycle repair facilities typically do not provide a loaner vehicle during repairs. Furthermore, the inherent risks associated with riding a two-wheeled vehicle without the safety features of a car can make defects more likely to pose safety hazards.

Preserving Your Claim

If you believe you have a lemon motorcycle, it is essential to keep detailed documentation of all repair attempts and incidents related to the defect. This documentation can be crucial in establishing that the manufacturer or dealer had a reasonable opportunity to repair the issue.

Frequently asked questions