New Jersey Lemon Law FAQ

What is the New Jersey Lemon Law?

In New Jersey, a vehicle, including cars, trucks, motorhomes and motorcycles may qualify as a lemon if a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value or safety of the vehicle is reported to a dealer within the first 24 months and 18,000 miles of use and the vehicle requires more than three service visits to repair the defect. In addition, if the vehicle is out of service for 20 days or more during the warranty period, the vehicle may be considered a lemon. Only the first report of a defect or condition must be reported in the first 24 months and 18,000 miles. The subsequent repair attempts or days out of service may occur after the first 24 months or 18,000 miles.

What Does A NJ Lemon Law Claim Cost?

The NJ Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to pay all of a plaintiff’s legal fees and court costs if you prevail. At Power & Associates, we take each case on a NO COST/NO FEE BASIS. When we win your case, the manufacturer pays our fees and costs. If we lose, you owe nothing! Most manufacturers’ warranties on purchased vehicles cover repairs for at least the first year following the original delivery date or the first 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. If repairs are needed after your warranty has ended, you must pay for the repairs. Check your warranty booklet to find out the details of your particular coverage. Repair costs can be recovered if the vehicle is later proven to be a “lemon” under the NJ Lemon Law. For this reason, it is important to remember to keep your receipts. If you are leasing a vehicle, check your leasing contract to find out who is responsible for repair bills.

How Long Does The NJ Lemon Law Process Take?

The process can take as little as thirty days. However, manufacturers often refuse to follow the law and give you the remedies you are legally entitled to. If we cannot settle your claim directly with the manufacturer, we will file suit against them in a court of law. We generally say it takes anywhere from 1-10 months to settle a claim with the majority settling fairly quickly.

Does The Vehicle Have To Be New?

No, as long as the first report of a defect or condition is made within the first 24 months or 18,000 miles you have preserved your lemon law rights. In addition, New Jersey has a used car lemon law to assist consumers who purchase a used vehicle from a licensed New Jersey Dealer.

Do I Have To Make A Lemon Law Claim In The First 18 Months Or 24,000 Miles?

Your vehicle is covered under the NJ lemon law as long as you first report a substantial defect or condition within the first 24 months and 18,000 miles of vehicle use. The subsequent repair attempts can occur after the first 24 months and 18,000 miles. You have four years after the third repair attempt (or 20 days out of service) to formally file for lemon law relief.

What If My Car Problems Started After The NJ Lemon Law Cut-off?

If your problems vehicle problems started after the lemon law cut off but while the vehicle was still under the manufacturer’s warranty, you may possess a Breach of Warranty claim.

What If The Dealership Can’t Reproduce Or Verify My Vehicle’s Defect?

Many New Jersey lemon law cases involve vehicles that have intermittent conditions, conditions that come and go. Often a dealership will inform a customer that they can’t fix a vehicle that won’t “act up” for them. The NJ Lemon Law covers these situations. It is not the consumer’s fault that the dealership won’t spend the extra time to diagnose intermittant problems. So long as you made the complaint to the dealership, it counts as a repair attempt under the lemon law whether or not the dealership performed a repair.

What Am I Entitled To If My Car Is A Lemon?

If your car qualifies as a lemon under the New Jersey Lemon Law, the manufacturer must repurchase your vehicle. The repurchase price which they must pay you is equal to the monies that you have paid for the vehicle including any down payment, any net trade in allowance and, if you financed the car, all car payments made. In addition, the manufacturer must pay off the balance on any vehicle car loan. If you prefer a replacement vehicle rather than a repurchase, most manufacturers are willing to provide a replacement instead of a repurchase.

Can I Settle For Cash And Keep My Vehicle?

Yes, most manufacturer’s would prefer to pay a cash settlement with the consumer keeping the possession of the vehicle.

Am I Required To Use The Manufacturer’s Dispute Resolution Program?

The NJ Lemon Law does not require you to use the manufacturer’s dispute resolution program. If you do use it and you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may still file suit. However, any findings made during the manufacturer’s dispute resolution program can be used against you in court.

Are Motor Homes and Motorcycles Covered Under NJ’s Lemon Law?

The NJ Lemon Law does not require you to use the manufacturer’s dispute resolution program. If you do use it and you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may still file suit. However, any findings made during the manufacturer’s dispute resolution program can be used against you in court.

My Car Is A Lemon, What Should I Do?

New Jersey Lemon Law “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” at Power & Associates. Let us evaluate your case and explain your rights. We can help you get a new car, a full refund, or a partial refund for your lemon under the NJ Lemon Law at no cost to you! Call us at 1.866.536.6611 or use the email form on the right to tell us about your lemon and get FREE Lemon Aid.