No, they aren’t laws regulating the import and export of lemons, lemon laws are actually a set of laws that protect consumers from the inevitable cases and consequences of defective products in a time of globalization and mass-production.

What Are Lemon Laws?

Lemon laws are protections for consumers which make it mandatory for the manufacturer to repair an item they sold that was defective and/or posed a safety risk to the consumer. They may also in certain cases be required to refund the purchase or fully replace the item. The website legaldictionary.net/lemon-law/ specifies that most states, though not all, demand that manufacturers found to have sold a faulty product, called in these cases a “lemon,” (hence the name lemon laws) to cover the cost of either four attempts at a repair, two for a defect which impacts the consumer’s safety, and if this is unfruitful and the consumer either endured their vehicle being inoperable for 30 days as a result of this process and experienced this within the first 12-14 months after purchase, then the manufacturer may in that case be required to refund the item or replace it. However, these conditions vary by state, as different states have different specific laws, and they are not specified fully on a federal level.

Lemon Law History

Lemon laws have come a long way in the United States. They began with a document published in 1959 by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws: it was essentially a template made by law experts for state legislatures to then modify how they saw fit and pass quickly. This publication was called the Uniform Commercial Code, acronymed to UCC.

The UCC later turned into the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, a federal measure enforced by the Federal Trade Commission that makes it mandatory for any manufacturer or company which offers a warranty to make the terms of the warranty, including what cases it does and does not apply to as well as the warranty’s lifespan, publicly available for consumers to access without having to buy the product first.

This legislation has evolved to guide individual state laws to pick up their own modifications of these rules, further specifying where they do and do not apply. They also now protect consumers from defects in products by requiring the original manufacturer to either repair them themselves, covering the cost, or refunding the consumer for the item. These terms vary by state, so it is important to research what your state’s specifications are yourself as some areas may be more likely to rule in favor of the manufacturer or consumer.

When are Lemon Laws Applicable?

Since lemon laws are not all the same or regulated completely on a federal level, they can differ by state in where they may be applied. However, thanks to the internet, you can use this website to compare lemon laws easily and quickly by state. The first point of contention is whether the product is indeed a “lemon.” The product must have what is termed a substantial defect, which is an issue which impacts how the item is used under normal conditions, which can include for example a car’s seatbelts or the gear shift. Often, these issues must be extreme or urgent and normally aren’t fixable after just one attempt.

Certain states differ, some may be more lenient or strict about what issues qualify an item to be a lemon. It is important if you are in the unfortunate position where you will need to utilize lemon laws to document each attempt at repair, the purchasing date, and when and how the issue(s) arise or arises.

Even if the product is found to have a substantial defect, the conditions surrounding its existence are important. For example, since lemon laws tie so closely to laws regarding warranty policies, often the problem which is the substantial defect needs to have occurred within a certain timeframe, such as shortly after purchase, within a certain amount of use, or within the time for which the product is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

What Steps Are Involved In Utilizing These Protections?

Being classified as a civil law, the process of utilizing lemon laws may seem intimidating at first. However, as this California Lemon Law Frequently asked questions page states, most cases thankfully do not end up requiring litigation and instead settle within three months. However, the process can be tricky, as it involves a thorough knowledge of the laws that apply within your state. The good news for consumers which were found to have bought a product with a substantial defect is that in most of these cases the manufacturer is required to pay the consumer back for any legal fees incurred, which means they have can easier have access to a lawyer to guide them through any legal negotiations and contracts associated with the case the consumer may have to sign and agree to. Without a lawyer, the negotiations may end up skewed against the consumer.

Do Lemon Laws Apply to Used Cars?

The products to which lemon laws apply to also differ by state. In many states, lemon laws are only applicable to cars. However, there are certain states who more liberally apply these protections, such as California, which covers appliances and electronics in addition to vehicles. Some states may also have different specifications for cars which are purchased new versus cars which were purchased used. If you are interested in utilizing lemon laws for a used car, you’ll need to also consider and document whether it was a private party purchase, meaning you purchased the used car from an individual, or if you purchased it from a business that specifically sells used cars. If it was a private party car sale, you may need to be able to prove that the seller new about the defect and chose not to disclose it prior to purchase. In either case, you may be entitled to compensation depending on the state of purchase.