Written coverage
The vehicle or defect was covered by a manufacturer, certified pre-owned, or other written warranty.
Nationwide warranty protection
Federal lemon law help under Magnuson-Moss
If a manufacturer cannot fix a defect covered by a written vehicle warranty, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may provide a claim—even when a state lemon law does not fit.
- ✓Available nationwide
- ✓May cover new, certified pre-owned, and used vehicles
- ✓A prevailing consumer may recover reasonable attorney’s fees
Free federal warranty case review
Free 60-second check · $0 out of pocket · no obligation.
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What usually matters
The warranty and repair history come first
Not every unsuccessful repair creates a federal claim. These facts help determine whether the warrantor had a reasonable chance to fix a covered problem.
Repeated problem
The same substantial defect returned, or the vehicle spent significant time out of service.
Repair opportunity
An authorized dealer or warrantor received a reasonable opportunity to diagnose and repair it.
Useful records
Repair orders, warranty booklets, purchase papers, emails, and denial notices show what happened.
Federal and state law
One repair history can support two different paths
Magnuson-Moss applies nationwide to qualifying written-warranty disputes. Your state’s lemon law may add timing rules, repair presumptions, or remedies such as a refund or replacement.
Federal cases commonly resolve through money damages or a cash settlement. A buyback or replacement is not guaranteed. We review both paths and associate local counsel where another state’s law governs.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 2310 at the U.S. House →Common questions
Federal lemon law, in plain English
Is Magnuson-Moss really a federal lemon law?
It is a federal warranty law, often called the federal lemon law. It can provide a claim when a warrantor does not honor a written warranty after a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle. State lemon laws are separate and may provide different remedies.
Can it cover a used vehicle?
It may. The key question is usually whether a written warranty covered the vehicle and defect when the problem arose. Certified pre-owned and some used vehicles can qualify; an as-is sale with no applicable written warranty usually presents a different issue.
Does federal law guarantee a buyback?
No. Federal warranty cases commonly seek money damages or a cash settlement. A vehicle buyback or replacement depends on the facts, the warranty, and any state law that also applies.
Who pays the legal fees?
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act permits a prevailing consumer to recover reasonably incurred costs and attorney’s fees. Whether fees are awarded depends on the result and the court. Stop Lemons reviews qualifying matters with no out-of-pocket charge to the consumer.
The warranty failed. Find out what federal law may do next.
Free case review. No fees unless we win — and the manufacturer pays the legal fees, not you.