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 Hawaii, the state lemon law is designed to assist consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective and cannot be repaired satisfactorily under the manufacturer's original warranty. Hawaii's lemon law covers new cars, personal trucks, and motorcycles that are purchased or leased in Hawaii. To qualify as a lemon under Hawaii law, the vehicle must have a substantial defect covered by the warranty that is reported to the manufacturer or its agent during the first two years after delivery or the first 24,000 miles on the odometer (whichever occurs first). The owner must also allow the manufacturer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the vehicle. If the defect persists and substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund. Hawaii's lemon law does not cover used cars unless they are still under the manufacturer's original warranty and the defect was reported during this period. The law also excludes vehicles such as repossessed vehicles, non-travel trailers, boats, or farm equipment. Issues that do not substantially impair the use or market value of the vehicle, such as minor rattles or audio imperfections, are not covered. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs administers the lemon law program and provides resources for consumers seeking relief under the law.