The Lemon File

Is it a lemon? Check the numbers in your state's law.

Every state's lemon law and DC's, read in the statute itself: the repair counts, days out of service and deadlines, each with its section and the date we read it, plus Magnuson-Moss and car warranties. We sell nothing and refer no one.

Federal rules quoted from 15 USC 2301-2312 and 16 CFR 700-703, each dated.

Your state's numbers

California: new cars and leasesThe law's numbers

  • Window for the presumptionFrom delivery, whichever comes firstCiv. Code 1793.22(b), read 11 Nov 202618 months / 18,000 miles
  • Repairs, same defectWith direct notice to the maker where the warranty or manual clearly requires itCiv. Code 1793.22(b)(2), read 11 Nov 20264
  • Repairs, defect likely to cause death or serious injuryCiv. Code 1793.22(b)(1), read 11 Nov 20262
  • Days out of serviceAdded up since deliveryCiv. Code 1793.22(b)(3), read 11 Nov 2026More than 30 calendar days
  • Use offsetMiles before the car first went in for the defectCiv. Code 1793.2(d)(2)(C), read 11 Nov 2026Price × miles ÷ 120,000

Before a refund

  1. Notify the maker directly at least once, if the warranty or owner's manual clearly says you mustCiv. Code 1793.22(b), read 11 Nov 2026
  2. A qualified maker dispute program first, if you were told of it in writing in time; it is a condition for the presumption, not for suingCiv. Code 1793.22(c), read 11 Nov 2026
  3. Makers on DCA's opt-in list: a written demand at least 30 days before suing for civil penaltiesCCP 871.24(a), read 11 Nov 2026

California lemon law, in full

Texas: new cars and leasesThe law's numbers

  • Window for the repairsWhichever ends first, from deliveryOcc. Code 2301.605(a), read 11 Nov 2026Warranty, or 24 months / 24,000 miles
  • Repairs, same defectOcc. Code 2301.605(a)(1), read 11 Nov 20264
  • Repairs, serious safety hazardOcc. Code 2301.605(a)(2), read 11 Nov 20262
  • Days out of serviceAdded up; the statute doesn't say calendar or business daysOcc. Code 2301.605(a)(3), read 11 Nov 202630 days
  • TxDMV complaint feePaid back by the losing side if the owner winsOcc. Code 2301.712, read 11 Nov 2026$35

Before a refund

  1. Written notice of the defect to the maker, and a chance to cure itOcc. Code 2301.606(c), read 11 Nov 2026
  2. A TxDMV complaint within six months after the earliest of the warranty's end or 24 months / 24,000 miles; an earlier date may applyOcc. Code 2301.606(d), read 11 Nov 2026
  3. Mediation, then a TxDMV hearingOcc. Code 2301.607(a), 2301.703(c), read 11 Nov 2026
  4. Court only after TxDMV's final order, or its notice that 150 days passed without oneOcc. Code 2301.607(c)-(d), read 11 Nov 2026

Texas lemon law, in full

Florida: new cars, leases and motor homesThe law's numbers

  • Lemon Law rights periodFrom original delivery; no mileage limitFla. Stat. 681.102(9), read 11 Nov 202624 months
  • Repairs, same defectPlus a final attempt after written notice by registered or express mailFla. Stat. 681.104(1)(a), (3)(a), read 11 Nov 20263
  • Days out of service60 for a motor home; written notice at 15 daysFla. Stat. 681.104(1)(b), (3)(b); 681.102(5), read 11 Nov 202630 calendar days
  • Use offset60,000 for a motor home; miles up to a settlement or the hearingFla. Stat. 681.102(19), read 11 Nov 2026Miles × base price ÷ 120,000

Before a refund

  1. Written notice by registered or express mail for a final repair; the maker has 10 days to respond and 10 days (45 for a motor home) to repairFla. Stat. 681.104(1)(a), read 11 Nov 2026
  2. A state-certified maker program first, if the maker told you in writing how to fileFla. Stat. 681.108(1), read 11 Nov 2026
  3. Request the state arbitration board within 60 days after the rights period ends, or 30 days after a certified program's final action, whichever is laterFla. Stat. 681.109(4), read 11 Nov 2026
  4. The board before any lawsuit; motor homes go to their own mediation and arbitration programFla. Stat. 681.1095(4), 681.1097(1), read 11 Nov 2026

Florida lemon law, in full

Ohio: new cars and leasesThe law's numbers

  • Window to report the defectFrom original delivery, whichever is earlierORC 1345.72(A), read 11 Nov 20261 year / 18,000 miles
  • Repairs, same defectThe defect continues or comes backORC 1345.73(A)(1), read 11 Nov 20263
  • Repairs, defect likely to cause death or serious injuryORC 1345.73(A)(4), read 11 Nov 20261
  • Repairs, any defects combinedORC 1345.73(A)(3), read 11 Nov 20268
  • Days out of serviceAdded upORC 1345.73(A)(2), read 11 Nov 202630 calendar days

Before a refund

  1. Report the defect to the maker, its agent or the dealer within the window; the statute has no written-notice stepORC 1345.72(A), read 11 Nov 2026
  2. An Attorney General-qualified maker program first, if one exists and you got timely notice of itORC 1345.77(B), read 11 Nov 2026

Illinois: new cars, light trucks and RVsThe law's numbers

  • Statutory warranty periodFrom delivery, whichever comes first815 ILCS 380/2(f), read 11 Nov 20261 year / 12,000 miles
  • Repairs, same defectAnd the defect still exists815 ILCS 380/3(b)(1), read 11 Nov 20264
  • Days out of serviceAdded up, in the window815 ILCS 380/3(b)(2), read 11 Nov 202630 business days
  • Time to suePlus the days in the maker's program; an earlier date may apply815 ILCS 380/6, 380/4(b), read 11 Nov 202618 months from delivery

Before a refund

  1. Direct written notice to the maker, from you or for you, and a chance to fix the defect815 ILCS 380/3(h), read 11 Nov 2026
  2. The maker's Part 703 dispute program first, if it has one and you got written notice of it815 ILCS 380/4(a), read 11 Nov 2026

Each number is quoted from the state's law, with the date we read it. Reaching it creates a presumption; it doesn't decide your case.

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How we check.

Every number is quoted from the state statute or federal rule it comes from, with the section and the date we read it. Where we could read only an older or archived official copy, the page says so. We sell nothing and refer no one.

Read our method
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