The Lemon Law protects non-commercial motor vehicles sold, leased or
registered in New York State, except for motorcycles, certain motor
homes, and off-road vehicles. You are protected against all material
defects for 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. You must
be the original purchase, lessee, or person to whom the vehicle was
transferred during the warranty period.
If you experience problems, you must report them to the manufacturer
or authorized dealer who must correct them free of charge. If the same
problem cannot be repaired after four or more attempts, or if your car
is out of service for 30 or more days, you may be entitled to a new car
or refund. Refunds are for the amount of purchase, plus license and
registration fees, minus a mileage allowance if the vehicle has been
driven more than 12,000 miles. All new car dealers are required by New
York State to provide consumers, at the time of purchase or lease of a
motor vehicle, with a copy of the new car lemon law.
To enforce the law, you may sue the manufacturer or participate in
an approved arbitration program. The Better Business Bureau offers AUTO
LINE, a free and easy way to resolve car problems. In
fact, if your car is a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac,
Chevy/GEO/ or GM Truck, you can use AUTO LINE for most engine or
transmission problems. In some cases, current ownership is not required
to get reimbursement of past repairs. Other cars eligible for AUTO LINE
are Honda, Acura, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan, Infinity, Saab, Saturn,
Sterling, Toyota, Alfa Romeo, Izuzu, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Hummer, Land
Rover, Range Rover and Porsche. To file a complaint through the
Bureau's AUTO LINE program call (800) 955-5100.
You may also participate in the New York State Attorney General's
arbitration program upon payment of a $200 filing fee. This program is
open to all car models but accepts lemon law replacement or buy back
requests only.
