Lemon Law Blog

Imagine buying one of those hot new Chevrolet Camaros.  You are cruising down the highway, enjoying every minute, when all of a sudden, the car won’t go into first gear or reverse.  The dealership identifies the problem and points to the clutch slave cylinder.  Apparently, there are a number of Camaros across the nation with the exact same problem. The good news is they know how to fix it; the bad news is you are going to be without your car for a little while….well more than a little while…..over a month….at least….maybe two months….but we will give you a loaner.

As a result of the troubling economy, closed factories and less dealerships, many consumers are hearing the term “National Back Order”  There is nothing you can do, other than sit back and wait the days, weeks, months until your part comes in and your car is fixed, right?

WRONG!  When you purchase a car with a manufacturers warranty, it is supposed to guarantee that your car is fixed efficiently and effectively and if it is not, you are entitled to recourse.  Under each of the State Lemon Laws we handle, you are entitled to file a claim if your car is out of service for an extended period of time, and that includes if a part is on back order.  In addition, these days do not have to be consecutive.

Under Pennsylvania Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Under New Jersey Lemon Law, it’s 20 days within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Under Delaware Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the first 12 months of ownership.

Under Massachusetts Lemon Law, it’s 15 business days within the first year.

Under Maryland Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the first 15 months of ownership.

Under Ohio Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the first year of ownership.

Under New Hampshire Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the manufacturers warranty period.

Under Connecticut Lemon Law, it’s 30 days within the first 24 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Under New York Lemon Law, it’s 30 days wtihin the first 24 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first).

AND, EVEN IF THE CAR IS FIXED, the consumer still may be entitled to significant monetary compensation to reflect the diminished value of the car, PLUS they get to keep the vehicle.

For more information on what what you should you do if you are waiting for a part on national back order, drop us a line or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

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As soon as the weather takes a turn for the better, and motorcyclists “get their motors running,” calls come in to 1-800-LEMON-LAW about defective Harley Davidson, Honda, BMW, Yamaha, and Kawasaki motorcycles…with all the callers asking the same question:  ”Are motorcycles covered under the Lemon Law?”

The answer depends on the state.  Among the states we practice, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut all include motorcycles in their Lemon Law. In all of these states, we can file a Lemon Law claim completely free to the consumer, with the possible outcome being a new bike or refund. In Pennsylvania, we spoke in front of the House of Representatives Consumer Affairs Committee, urging the inclusion of motorcycles, however it has yet to happen.

All is not lost however, in the states we practice that do not offer Lemon Law protection for motorcycles, namely Pennsylvania and Delaware, we use the grandfather of the Lemon Law, the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act to go after the manufacturer for the diminished value of the bike as a result of the defect.  And like the Lemon Law, legal representation is completely cost-free. In the past eighteen years, our firm has successfully handled thousands of motorcycle claims. 

To check if your state offers a Motorcycle Lemon law, click here. For more information regarding lemon law and breach of warranty rights for motorcycle owners, feel free to e-mail us or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

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1-800 LEMON LAW is now offering free legal help to distressed drivers throughout Connecticut. We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Connecticut Lemon Law Office, managed by Angela Troccoli.

The Connecticut Lemon Law is one of the most effective lemon laws in the Nation for several reasons. First, it covers all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, and commercial vehicles. The only exception is agricultural equipment. Secondly, the CT Lemon Law states that a problem must first occur in the first 18,000 miles or 24 months whichever comes first. This is similar to the coverage provided under the New Jersey Lemon Law, but much longer than the 12 months provided under the Delaware Lemon Law and the 12 months, 12,000 miles provided under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law.

The problem must occur four times to file a CT Lemon Law claim, but there is a special caveat which states that if there is a significant safety hazard, the consumer only needs to give the manufacturer two repair attempts to fix the problem. Connecticut Lemon Law also covers vehicles that are in the shop 30 or more days within the aforementioned 18,000 miles/24 month period, and those days do not have to be consecutive or all for the same problem.

Of course, if you have a problem which repeatedly occurs starting after the 18,000 miles/24 month period, but still while under original or extended manufacturers warranty, we can help you under the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, which we frequently discuss in this blog.

Using the same provisions we use in other State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws, we will be offering CT consumers completely free legal help. If they prevail, the manufacturer must pay all attorneys fees and legal costs. If for some reason, we do not prevail, there is still no cost. So, there is no cost and no risk to filing a claim.

If you feel you may have a CT lemon law claim, feel free to call us 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or fill out our Get Rid Of Your Lemon worksheet. We will be glad to review your situation and see how we can help.

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