Frequently asked questions
Plain-English answers about lemon law claims, costs, timelines, and remedies.
What is a lemon?
A new or used vehicle still under the manufacturer's warranty that has a substantial defect the dealer can't fix in a reasonable number of attempts. Most state laws use 3-4 unsuccessful repair attempts or 30+ cumulative days in the shop as the threshold.
Does my state have a lemon law?
All 50 states have one. They differ in details (mileage caps, repair-attempt thresholds, vehicle types covered) but the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301) provides a backstop in every state.
Do I really pay nothing?
Correct. Federal law and almost every state lemon law require the manufacturer to pay your attorney's fees when you win. We work on contingency, the manufacturer foots the bill, and you keep 100% of any monetary recovery.
How long does it take?
Most cases settle in 60-120 days. The manufacturer typically doesn't want to litigate — once they receive a credible demand from a lemon law attorney, settlement negotiations begin quickly.
What remedies can I get?
Three options under most state laws: (1) full refund of the purchase price minus a small mileage offset; (2) a brand-new replacement vehicle of the same make/model; or (3) a cash-and-keep settlement where you keep the car and the manufacturer cuts you a check. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims can also recover incidental and consequential damages.
Does it work for used cars?
Often yes — if the vehicle is still under the original manufacturer's warranty (or a certified pre-owned warranty). Several states (NJ, NY, MN, MA) also have used-car lemon laws independent of warranty status.
Does it work for EVs (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid)?
Yes. EV lemon law claims are rising fast — battery-pack failures, charging-system defects, software-related drivetrain issues, and autopilot/FSD defects all count. Tesla in particular accounts for a large share of new lemon law filings.
What if my warranty just expired?
If the defect first arose during the warranty period and you brought it in for repair while still covered, you may still have a claim — even if the warranty has since expired. Tell us the dates and we'll check.
What if I leased the car?
Leased vehicles are covered under most state lemon laws and federal Magnuson-Moss. Remedies include lease-payment refunds and early lease termination.
What does it cost me?
Nothing. No retainer, no hourly billing, no out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer pays your attorney's fees when you win.
Stuck with a lemon? Let's get you out.
Free case review. No fees unless we win — and the manufacturer pays the legal fees, not you.