What Is a Lemon?

Under federal law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) and New Jersey's Lemon Law, a new vehicle is considered a 'lemon' if it has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. This is not wear and tear. This is a serious defect that affects safety, value, or basic function.

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If your new car, truck, or SUV repeatedly breaks down, has a persistent mechanical or electrical problem, or suffers from a defect that the dealer cannot fix, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a full refund of your purchase price.

 

What Defects Are Covered?

Lemon law covers defects that appear within the warranty period and affect the safety, value, or operation of the vehicle. Common defects include:

• Engine problems (stalling, rough running, overheating, knocking)

• Transmission failures or shifting problems

• Electrical system malfunctions

• Brake system defects

• Suspension or steering problems

• Paint defects or body panel issues

• Repeated warning lights or computer system failures

 

Your Rights Under Lemon Law

If your new vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you are entitled to one of two remedies:

• Replacement. The manufacturer provides you with a comparable new vehicle of substantially equal value.

• Refund. You return the lemon vehicle and receive a full refund of the purchase price (minus a small deduction for your use of the vehicle).

If the manufacturer has wrongfully denied your lemon law claim or has failed to provide a prompt remedy, you are also entitled to recover attorney's fees and costs under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This means the manufacturer pays your legal fees.

 

How Do You Qualify?

New Jersey lemon law generally applies to new vehicles purchased or leased in New Jersey. To qualify, your vehicle must meet these criteria:

• The defect arose within two year or 24,000 miles of purchase (whichever comes first) or within the manufacturer's express warranty period.

• The defect is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

• The manufacturer has been given a reasonable opportunity to repair the defect (typically three repair attempts for the same defect or four attempts for different defects).

• The vehicle has been out of service for repair for a cumulative total of at least thirty days.

 

Common Obstacles Manufacturers Raise

Manufacturers often deny valid lemon law claims by arguing that the defect is not 'substantial,' that the problem falls outside the warranty, or that repairs have not been given sufficient time to work. These defenses are often weak when challenged by experienced counsel. We have recovered damages and replacements for clients whose claims manufacturers wrongfully denied.

 

Why Rivers Law Firm

We are trial lawyers experienced in both federal (Magnuson-Moss) and New Jersey state lemon law. We do not hesitate to challenge manufacturer denials or take cases to court. Our understanding of warranty law and manufacturer liability allows us to recover replacements, refunds, and attorney's fees for clients with valid lemon law claims.

 

Contact Us

If you purchased a new vehicle and are experiencing persistent defects that the manufacturer cannot repair, call us today. We offer free initial consultations for lemon law cases and work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover a remedy for you.

 

Rivers Law Firm LLC

Noel Rivers, Esq.

PO Box 552, West Caldwell, NJ 07007

(201) 706-0188

noel@riverslaw.net