State lemon laws help consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles and have repeated problems getting their vehicles properly repaired under the manufacturer’s original warranty.

Lemon laws can help a consumer get the vehicle repurchased, replaced, or repaired through a process that is less complicated and expensive than filing a lawsuit and going to court.

A car is a “lemon” when it is determined that the vehicle is defective beyond repair. Most states have some form of a lemon law to protect car buyers. These laws generally only apply to new cars purchased or leased by consumers and small businesses.

But a used car may also be covered if it is still covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty (not an extended service contract), or if the defect started and was reported to the dealer while under the manufacturer’s original warranty, and the defect continues to exist.

Lemon laws often do not cover repossessed vehicles, non-travel trailers, boats, or farm equipment.

Lemon laws only cover defects that substantially impair the use or market value of the vehicle—which does not include issues like minor rattles, noises, and car audio imperfections.

Each state has its own requirements, but common factors to qualify as a lemon include:

• The vehicle has a substantial manufacturing defect

• The defect is covered by a manufacturer’s written warranty

• The owner reports the defect to the dealer or manufacturer within the warranty term

• The owner gives the dealer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect or condition

• The owner gives the manufacturer written notice (preferably by certified mail) of the defect and at least one opportunity to fix the defect

• The defect persists and substantially impairs the vehicle’s use or market value or creates a serious safety hazard

Lemon laws are usually located in a state’s statutes and are often administered by the state’s department of motor vehicles or a specified consumer protection agency.

In Ohio, the Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers who purchase or lease new motor vehicles that turn out to be defective. Under Ohio's Lemon Law, if a new vehicle has a substantial defect that is covered by the manufacturer's warranty and the consumer reports the defect within the warranty period, the consumer must allow the dealership a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue. If the defect persists and significantly impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement, repair, or repurchase of the vehicle. The law typically does not cover used cars unless the defect began while under the manufacturer's original warranty and continues to exist. It also does not cover issues that do not substantially impair the vehicle's use or value, such as minor rattles or audio system imperfections. To invoke the Lemon Law, the owner should give the manufacturer written notice of the defect and an opportunity to fix it. Ohio's Lemon Law is administered by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and consumers can seek assistance through this office without necessarily going to court.