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Washington State General Lemon Law Statutes

Find out what vehicle's are covered and which are not under Washington State's General Lemon Laws

This section covers most classes of motor vehicles including "demonstrators" which have an original retail purchase or lease in Washington and are originally registered in the state.

Vehicles NOT covered are:

• Motorcycles with engine displacements of less than 750 cubic centimeters;
• Trucks over 19,000 lbs. gross weight rating; and
• Vehicles purchased or leased by a business as part of a fleet of 10 or more;

For Motor Homes purchased or leased new after June 30, 1998 please download the Lemon Law Motor Homes Booklet for additional requirements.

What is a Lemon?

Your vehicle may qualify as a "lemon" if it has one or more substantial defects that have been subject to a "reasonable number of attempts" to diagnose or repair the problem(s) under the manufacturer's warranty. Substantial defects are those which are life threatening, create a risk of fire or explosion or which substantially impairs the vehicle's reliability, resale value or safe use. The law does not cover problems caused by owner abuse or negligence, or any unauthorized modifications or alterations made to the vehicle.

A "reasonable number of attempts" has occurred when:

1. Diagnosis or repair of the same "serious safety defect" has been attempted two or more times (with at least one during the "warranty period"), and the defect continues to exist; OR
2. Diagnosis or repair of the same "nonconformity" has been attempted four or more times (with at least one during the "warranty period"), and the defect continues to exist; OR
3. A vehicle has been out-of-service for diagnosis or repair of one or more "nonconformities" or "serious safety defects" (whether or not repaired) for a cumulative total of 30 calendar days, with at least 15 of those days occurring during the "warranty period".

* A "serious safety defect" is a life-threatening malfunction that impairs the driver's ability to control or operate the vehicle, or creates a risk of fire or explosion.

* A "nonconformity" is a defect that "substantially impairs" the use, value or safety of the motor vehicle so as to make the vehicle unreliable, unsafe or diminished in resale value for comparable vehicles.

* "Warranty period" covers a diagnosis or repair occuring within 2 years from the original delivery date AND 24,000 miles of operation of the vehicle.

At the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator will ask you which of the above criteria applies to your vehicle. You can claim one or more of the criteria listed above as long as you can prove to the arbitrator that they apply to the defect(s) in your vehicle.

What Is The Warranty Period?

To determine whether you have a claim under Lemon Law you will have to determine whether at least one attempt to diagnose or repair each defect occurred under the manufacturer's warranty and within the "warranty period."

It is important to understand that, for purposes of arbitration, the "warranty period" may be different from the actual manufacturer's warranty. The law requires that the manufacturer's warranty cover at least 1 year or 12,000 miles (whichever occurs first). An extended service contract is not an express manufacturer's warranty.

When determining whether an attempt to diagnose or repair a defect meets the requirements for eligibility, the "warranty period" covers a diagnosis or repair occurring within 2 years from the original delivery date and 24,000 miles of operation of the vehicle.

The following are examples of how to determine whether a diagnosis or repair attempt occurred during the warranty period.

1. If the manufacturer provides the minimum warranty of one year or 12,000 miles (whichever occurs first), an eligible defect must have been:
   • Diagnosed or repaired at least once under the manufacturer's warranty within 12 months and 12,000 miles; or
   • Out-of -service for a total of 30* or more cumulative calendar days due to diagnosis or repair of one or more defects that are covered by the manufacturer's warranty; at least 15 calendar days must have occurred during the manufacturer's warranty coverage of 12 months and 12,000 miles.
2. If the manufacturer provided a longer warranty (e.g. five years or 50,000 miles) an eligible defect must have been:
   • Diagnosed or repaired at least once under the manufacturer's warranty and within two years and 24,000 miles; or
   • Out-of -service for a total of 30* or more cumulative calendar days due to diagnosis or repair of one or more defects that are covered by the manufacturer's warranty; at least 15 calendar days must have occurred within two years and 24,000 miles.

* To be eligible, motor homes must be out-of-service for a total of 60 or more cumulative calendar days.

You Have a "Lemon" ? What Should You Do?

Contact the Washington State Lemon Law Administration for more information and detailed instructions. Ask for the Lemon Law Booklet and the Request for Arbitration Form. Read through the information listed below about the Arbitration Process.

CALL
Statewide
Toll-free 1-(800) 541-8898

Local King County
(206) 587-4240

Local Spokane County
(509) 456-3124

WRITE
Lemon Law Administration
Attorney General's Office
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98104

FAX
(206) 464-6451

E-MAIL
lemon@atg.wa.gov

Additional Lemon Law Resources

Washington Motor Home Lemon Law
Lemon Law Tips
Keep a Vehicle Repair Log
Federal Lemon Law - Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act