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 Florida, the state lemon law is known as the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act. It is designed to aid consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles and encounter repeated issues with vehicle defects that are covered under the manufacturer's original warranty. To qualify as a 'lemon' in Florida, the vehicle must have a substantial defect that is covered by the warranty, the defect must be reported to the dealer or manufacturer within the warranty period, and the owner must allow the dealer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue. Additionally, the owner must provide the manufacturer with written notice of the defect and an opportunity to fix it. If the defect persists and significantly impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, a repurchase of the vehicle, or a repair. Florida's lemon law does not typically cover used cars unless the defect began and was reported while still under the manufacturer's original warranty and continues to exist. The law also excludes vehicles such as repossessed vehicles, non-travel trailers, boats, or farm equipment, and does not cover minor issues that do not substantially impair the vehicle's use or value. The Florida Department of Legal Affairs is responsible for administering the lemon law program in the state.