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AI-assisted estimate · not legal advice

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

1 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.

2 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.

3 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

Likely qualifies

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.

Common questions

In every U.S. state, a vehicle is generally a lemon when it has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that keeps recurring after a reasonable number of repair attempts, or that leaves the vehicle out of service for an extended period — often around 30 cumulative days. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety.

Browse lemon laws by state