Ask The AG:

Consumer Protection Tips from Attorney General Rob McKenna State Lemon Law Protects Car Buyers Consumer: I purchased a new car a few months ago. It’s been in the dealership repeatedly for repairs. I think it’s a lemon. What can I do? Attorney General Rob McKenna: Buying a new car is exciting. But when your four-wheeled baby spends more time in the repair shop than on the road, your mood can turn as sour as – pardon the pun – a lemon. Washington’s “Lemon Law” is designed to help vehicle owners who have continuing problems with warranty repairs. The law allows owners to request an arbitration hearing through the Attorney General’s Office anytime within 2 1/2 years of the vehicle’s original retail delivery date. To qualify, your car must either be new or have less than 24,000 miles when you purchased or leased it. Your vehicle may be considered a lemon if at least one of the following applies: (1) Diagnosis or repair of a serious safety defect has been attempted at least twice without success, with at least one attempt during the warranty period.(2) Diagnosis or repair of a problem that makes your vehicle unreliable or diminishes its retail value has been attempted four or more times, with at least one attempt during the warranty period.(3) Your vehicle has been out of service for diagnosis or repair of at least one defect as described above in either (1) or (2). It must has been out of service for a total of 30 calendar days, and at least 15 of those days fall within the warranty period. Different requirements apply to motor homes. Details are available online at www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/lemon. If you think you have a lemon on your hands, you must try to resolve your dispute with the manufacturer prior to requesting an arbitration hearing. You should send the manufacturer a written request to replace your vehicle or buy it back from you. The manufacturer has 40 days to respond. When disputes are not resolved and arbitration through our office ensues, you will have the option to have your vehicle replaced or bought back by the manufacturer if the arbitrator determines your vehicle is a lemon. Washington has arguably the best Lemon Law in the nation. Funding for the program comes from a $3 fee on the purchase a new car – which was lowered from its original level of $5. From these funds the Attorney General’s Office provides arbitration at no additional cost to consumers or manufacturers. The office’s Lemon Law program has handled nearly 10,000 phone calls and more than 1,500 arbitration requests so far this year. Consumers have benefited by receiving more than $2 million in settlements. More information about the Lemon Law program can be found on the Attorney General’s Office Web site at www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/lemon. For questions or to request an informational brochure with instructions on submitting a claim, contact the Lemon Law program at (800) 541-8898 or lemon@atg.wa.gov. Attorney General Rob McKenna offers this public service to help consumers avoid fraud and to promote a fair and informed marketplace. Although some details have been changed, cases appearing in this column are based on actual complaints or questions received by the Attorney General’s Office. If you have a consumer complaint or inquiry, contact the Consumer Protection Division at www.atg.wa.gov or 800-551-4636. To suggest a future topic for this column, send an e-mail to asktheag@atg.wa.gov or write to “Ask the AG”, Attorney General’s Office, 900 4th Ave. Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98164-1012. Past articles are archived online at www.atg.wa.gov/AskAG.