Your Pennsylvania Lemon Law Rights

PA Lemon Law Information and Resource Index

Who Is Covered Under The Pennsylvania Lemon Law?

Any consumer who buys or leases, and registers a new passenger vehicle in the State of Pennsylvania is covered by the Lemon Law. The vehicle must be used for personal, family or household purposes. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, motor homes, and off-road vehicles are not covered by the law. The consumer is protected for the first 12 months OR for the first 12,000 miles ownership.

Is Your Vehicle A Lemon?

A new motor vehicle is presumed to be a lemon if it has one or more defects that continue to exist after three attempts at repairs, OR after the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of thirty days during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles. The problem must substantially impair the value, use or safety of the vehicle. The Lemon Law requires that the consumer contact the manufacturer’s zone representative at the telephone number listed in your vehicle’s owner manual. If the zone representative is not successful in having the defect corrected, you may request an arbitration of your case through the manufacturer’s dispute settlement program if one exists. The arbitration decision is binding on the manufacturer, but not on the customer, who may proceed further by bringing a private lawsuit. If the manufacturer has not established an appropriate dispute resolution procedure, you may initiate a legal action at the outset. The Lemon Law does not cover defects caused by an accident, vandalism, abuse, neglect, or modifications.

Getting Your Vehicle Repaired

It is very important that you report any defect or condition directly to the manufacturer or the dealer immediately. It is also important to keep all receipts of repair attempts and a complete record of all contact with the manufacturer and dealer. You have the right to receive a dated, detailed statement each time the vehicle is brought in for repair. This statement should include any charges for parts and labor, a general description of the problem, the odometer reading at the time you brought the vehicle in for repair and also when you pick up the car, as well as a list of all work performed. It should also state the date the vehicle was brought in for repair and the date you picked up the car. Be sure you are given these statements (it’s the law) and that you keep them on file.

Who Pays For The Repairs?

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 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 Should The Repair Take?

The Pennsylvania Lemon Law allows the manufacturer three repair attempts for the same problem.

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

If your car qualifies as a lemon, the Pennsylvania Lemon Law states that the manufacturer must, at the consumer’s choice, either repurchase the vehicle or provide you with a comparable new vehicle. If you choose to have your vehicle repurchased, the repurchase price which the manufacturer must pay you is equal to the monies 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. There is a usage offset which is deducted from the monies you receive, but that amount is only 10 cents per mile on the number of miles you drove the vehicle until you first reported the defect or condition to a dealership. The mileage offset is never higher than $1,200. If you choose to have the manufacturer replace your vehicle with a comparable new vehicle, you are entitled to receive a comparably equipped new vehicle to replace your lemon.

Enforcing Your Rights

Any consumer with a new motor vehicle who suffers any loss under this law may proceed directly to the manufacturer’s arbitration program. Under the PA Lemon Law consumers may also bring a civil action in a court of common pleas and, in addition to other relief, is entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and all court costs.

My Car Is A Lemon, What Should I Do?

Power & Associates has represented thousands of clients throughout Pennsylvania including the cities of Doylestown, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Media, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, West Chester, and York. Visit our Satisfied Clients page to read “real world” testimonials from past satisfied lemon law clients. Our law firm has offices in Glen Mills, PA. We can help you with your lemon law issue regardless of where you live in Pennsylvania.

We Can Help You!

Pennsylvania 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 PA 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.