{"id":352653,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/lemon-law\/lemon-law-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-04-30T15:19:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T20:19:39","slug":"lemon-law-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/lemon-law-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Lemon Law Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Lemon Law Basics<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Federal and state laws protect consumers from fraud and defective products.<\/p>\r\n

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act<\/a> is a federal law that governs written warranties for consumer products. It requires manufacturers and sellers to give consumers clear and transparent warranty information. Its protections cover warranties for most consumer products, including vehicles.<\/p>\r\n

At the state level, "lemon laws<\/a>" protect consumers from defective vehicles. These laws give car buyers the right to a refund of the full price or a replacement vehicle if the one they bought has irreparable defects or mechanical problems.<\/p>\r\n

Typically, the consumer must allow the car dealer or manufacturer to fix the vehicle’s problem before a buyer’s rights under lemon laws take effect<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

FindLaw’s Lemon Law Basics section offers information about state and federal car buyer protections and how state laws govern car repairs<\/a>. In this section, you can also find:<\/p>\r\n