Find the answers to your questions about New York’s Used Car Lemon Law in our New York Lemon Law Fact Sheet
The following information comes from the Lemon Law section of the New York State Attorney General’s website. We encourage you to review their site as well as the New York Used Car Lemon Law Guide for Consumers and the New York State Used Car Lemon Law Consumer Bill of Rights for more detailed and complete information on New York’s Used Car Lemon Law.
New car eligibility criteria
- Was leased, purchased or transferred within 18,000 miles or two years from the date of original delivery (whichever was reached first); AND
- Was purchased or leased from a New York dealer; AND
- Was purchased or leased for at least a value of $1,500; AND
- Has been driven less than 100,000 miles at the time of purchase/lease; AND
- Is primarily used for personal purposes.
Length of legal warranties:
| Miles of Operation | Duration of Warranty |
| 18,001-36,000 miles | 90 days or 4,000 miles |
| 36,001-79,999 miles | 60 days or 3,000 miles |
| 80,000-100,000 miles | 30 days or 1,000 miles |
Warranty Requirements:
Required by law, auto dealers must provide a written warranty that covers the following parts:
| Engine: | Lubricated parts, water pump, fuel pump, manifolds, engine block, cylinder head, rotary engine housings and flywheel. |
| Transmission: | The transmission case, internal parts, and the torque converter. |
| Drive Axel: | The front and rear axle housings and internal parts, axle shafts, propeller shafts and universal joints. |
| Brakes: | Master cylinder, vacuum assist booster wheel cylinders, hydraulic lines and fittings and disc brake calipers. |
| Steering: | The steering gear housing and all internal parts, power steering pump, valve body, piston and rack |
| Other Parts: | Radiator, Alternator, Generator, Starter, and Ignition System (excluding battery) |
Duty to repair:
The criteria of a “reasonable chance” for authorized dealers or manufacturers to repair a new car are:
- The problem continues to exist after three or more attempts to repair it occurred; OR
- The car wasn’t able to be used due to repairs of the problem for a collective total of 15 days or more (although unavailability of parts may extend this time).
Exceptions to required manufacturer refund or replacement:
- The problem does not substantially impair the value of the car to the consumer; OR
- The problem is a result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized alteration of the car.
Steps consumers should take if they grow to be aware of a problem with their car:
- Without delay report any defect or malfunction of a warranty covered part to the dealer and request the repairs. If the report is made within the warranty period, the dealer must make the repair even if the warranty has subsequently expired.
- Retain complete and careful records of all grievances, copies of all work orders, repair bills and correspondence.
If you would like to speak to someone live, the Attorney General’s office has a consumer help line at (800) 771-7755.
New York Lemon Law Links
New York New Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet
New York New Car Lemon Law – General Business Law 198-a
New York Used Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet
New York Used Car Lemon Law – General Business Law §198-b
