Florida Lemon Laws, All You Wanted To Know!
You would be surprised how many cars are lemons. The Attorney General of Florida lists each and every vehicle that has been declared a lemon and bought back or replaced by the manufacturer.
The Florida lemon laws cover a car for the first 24 months. There are two basic reasons a car is deemed a lemon - recurring problems and time out of service (in the shop).
When is a Car a Lemon?
- Recurring problem not fixed after three attempts
- Out of service for repair for 30 cumulative days
Lemon Law Details - Recurring Problems
If a car has been back for service for the same recurring problem at least three times and is not fixed it may be a lemon. When this happens the consumer must give the manufacturer a final opportunity to fix the problem. Note that the law states you must contact the manufacturer - not the dealer - when you are giving them a final opportunity to fix the problem. If the manufacturer fails to fix the problem the laws requires the dealer to buy back the defective car and give the consumer a purchase price refund or a replacement vehicle.
Florida Lemon Laws do not apply to defects caused by accidents, neglect, abuse, modification, or alteration by persons other than the manufacturer or its authorized service agent - typically an authorized dealer.
Lemon Law Details - Out of Service
If a vehicle is in and out of an authorized repair show for one or more different problems for 15 or more cumulative days then the consumer gives written notice of this fact to the manufacturer.
Notifying the Manufacturer
For any Florida Lemon Law claims you must complete the Motor Vehicle Defect Notification Form. This form is also provided on the Florida Secretary of State website.
Submitting Your Dispute
To formally file your Lemon Law dispute you must submit your information to the proper arbitrator. Many car makers sponsor state certified programs.
-end -
By National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
August 2008
