The New York Lemon Law Information on the Lemon Law in the State of New York

State of New York New Car Lemon Law

The new car lemon law in the State of New York provides consumers with a legal path to resolve ongoing vehicle problems that are covered under manufacturer warranty. The New York lemon law covers new vehicles and demonstrator models that are two years old or within the first 18,000 miles that you own the vehicle, whichever comes first.

The law applies when the new vehicle has problems that cannot be resolved after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Under the lemon law the consumer qualifies for a replacement vehicle or a full refund.

What is a Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts?

If during the first 18,000 miles or first two years of ownership; whichever come first, the manufacturer has had the opportunity to resolve a vehicle issue four or more times and the issue with the vehicle was not resolved by the end of the fourth attempt.

OR

The vehicle was out-of-service for a collective total of 30 days or more for a single or multiple repairs.

Proving Your Lemon Law Case

In most cases a dealership will ultimately want a customer who is satisfied with their vehicle purchase and will provide the customer with the documentation regarding repair work and cost. In fact all licensed dealers in the State of New York are required to provide accurate work order records documenting the number of repairs and the cost of those repairs. This includes warranty work that the customer was not charged for.

If you have not kept a record of the repairs done on your vehicle, the dealer is required to provide those records for you by law. If you are having a problem with a dealer giving you with this information please contact the DMV and advise them of the issue. The DMV number in Albany is 518-474-8943. This number is listed in the new car lemon law pamphlet link at the bottom of this article.

Used Cars, Motorcycles and Motor Homes

The New York lemon law covers used cars, motorcycles and motor homes that fall under the following conditions:

1. When the vehicle was delivered, it was covered by the manufacturer warranty.

AND

2. The vehicle was obtained in the first 18,000 miles or within 2 years of its original delivery date. This applies to a purchase, lease or transfer of the vehicle.

AND

3. The car, motor home or motorcycle was transferred, purchased or leased in the State of New York and is also currently registered in the State of New York.

AND

4. The Car, Motor Home or Motorcycle is for personal use a majority of the time.

Motor Homes and the New York Lemon Law

Like other lemon laws across the United States motor homes are covered in part under the New York State lemon law. The parts that are not covered are typically residential in nature and include the following:

1. Appliances

2. Plumbing

3. Fixtures

4. Roof Air Conditioner

5. Furnace

6. Generator

7. Side Entrance Doors

8. Exterior Compartments

9. All Windows Outside of the Windshield, Passenger and Driver Side Window.

10. Other Systems Such as Electrical that are Independent of General Vehicle Circuits

The New York Lemon Law Consumer Guide

Listed below are a number of links that include detailed information regarding the State of New York lemon law. The “New Car Lemon Law” consumer guide is a 37 page pamphlet that provides more detailed information on the subjects discussed in this article.

New York New Car Lemon Law Consumer Guide

New York New Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet

New York Used Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet

Request for Arbitration Form New Car

Request for Arbitration Form Used Car