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RIRecallIndex

What It Means

Lemon laws vary by state but generally require the manufacturer to replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price if a substantial defect cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Most lemon laws apply to new vehicles within the first 1-2 years or 18,000-24,000 miles. Some states have separate lemon laws for used vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Lemon Law" mean?

State laws that provide remedies for buyers of vehicles that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.

Why does Lemon Law matter for vehicle safety?

Lemon laws vary by state but generally require the manufacturer to replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price if a substantial defect cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Most lemon laws apply to new vehicles within the first 1-2 years or 18,000-24,000 miles. Some states h...

About This Data

Definitions based on NHTSA standards, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and federal enforcement guidance. See our privacy policy.