Lemon-law qualifier
Answer a few short questions about your vehicle and your repair history. We'll give you a personalized estimate of whether your situation likely meets your state's lemon-law thresholds. This is an estimate, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney before taking action.
Start your assessment
Pick your state to get tailored questions, or skip and we'll ask. Takes 2–3 minutes.
How the lemon-law qualifier works
Pick your state
Lemon-law thresholds differ by state. Choosing yours tailors the questions to the right repair-attempt and days-out-of-service limits.
Answer a few questions
Describe the defect, when it started, how many repair attempts you've made, and how long the car has been out of service. Takes 2–3 minutes.
Get an instant estimate
See whether your situation likely meets your state's thresholds, which criteria are met, and concrete next steps — an estimate, not legal advice.
What makes a vehicle a lemon?
State lemon laws vary, but nearly all weigh the same four factors. Your car generally has to clear each one to qualify for a refund or replacement.
A substantial defect
A warranty-covered problem that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety — not cosmetic or minor issues.
A reasonable number of repair attempts
Typically 3–4 attempts at the same defect, or as few as 1–2 for a serious safety defect like brakes or steering.
Excessive days out of service
Many states qualify a vehicle that has been in the shop for roughly 30 cumulative days for warranty repairs.
Within the coverage window
The problems usually must first arise during the manufacturer's warranty or a state-defined eligibility period (often the first 12–24 months or 12,000–24,000 miles).
Sample assessment
2023 SUV in California — transmission repeatedly slips
An illustrative example, not a real case.
The owner reports a transmission that slips under acceleration. The dealer has attempted the same repair 4 times under the factory warranty, the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative 22 days, and the problem first appeared at 6,000 miles — well inside California's eligibility window.
Because a substantial, safety-relevant defect persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts within the coverage period, this situation likely qualifies. The recommended next step is to send the manufacturer a written final-repair-opportunity notice and consult a licensed lemon-law attorney.