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 Louisiana, the lemon law covers new vehicles, including cars, personal trucks, and vans that are still within the express warranty period. The law applies when a vehicle has a substantial defect that is covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and the defect is reported to the dealer or manufacturer within the warranty term. The owner must allow the dealer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect. If the defect persists and substantially impairs the vehicle's use, market value, or safety, the owner may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund. Louisiana's lemon law does not cover used cars unless the defect was reported and not fixed while the vehicle was still under the original manufacturer's warranty. The law typically excludes repossessed vehicles, trailers, boats, and farm equipment. Defects that do not substantially impair the use or market value of the vehicle, such as minor rattles or audio issues, are not covered. The Louisiana lemon law is administered by the Louisiana Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Section. Consumers seeking relief under the lemon law may need to provide written notice to the manufacturer and should consult with an attorney to navigate the process effectively.