Have you ever had a car that constantly made an irritating rattling noise, and no matter how many times you would take it in to be checked, a problem could never be found? What about a window that sometimes wouldn’t roll up or down all the way? What if this happened more than once? Federal and state lemon laws address recurring mechanical issues and offer consumer protection within the vehicular industry. Although individual states have their own guidelines to claim a “lemon,” federal lemon laws set forth guidelines to follow if you believe your new car may be eligible for a remedy.

• Anywhere from 6 to 8 repairs for the entire product (including automobiles, boats, motorcycles, RVs, computers, and even wheelchairs)
• 3 to 4 repairs for any one problem
• Coverage is extended for the life of the warranty (referring to the Manufacturer’s Express Warranty) and up to an additional 4 years

As for used cars, you can qualify if you purchased a vehicle with a warranty still left, for example, if you purchased an extended warranty or if you bought a “certified” pre-owned vehicle. If your car does not have a warranty, there are numerous other laws that may protect you other than the lemon laws. For example, if your car was previously involved in a flood or was wrecked, you may be eligible for compensation.

In addition to these guidelines, it is important to check with your state to look at the specific requirements.  At http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/ you can select your state from the map and view the specifics and how to claim your lemon. Oftentimes it is necessary to hire an attorney to take the automobile manufacturer to court, which may seem like a daunting process, but federal law also provides that if you succeed in court, your attorney fees will be paid for by the warrantor. If you believe you might have a lemon, it is recommended that you go through the process of receiving compensation, not to mention the automobile that you thought you had purchased. Consumer protection laws are in place to help and to serve justice to all.