When you bought your vehicle, you probably thought it would be free from any major problems. Yet, after owning it for a few months, you may find that it always seems to be in the shop for the same issue. Even if your vehicle is under warranty, you likely feel frustrated if this issue remains unresolved. It is possible, then, that your vehicle is a lemon, and there are two telltale signs that point to it being one.
Your vehicle has substantial defects
Within several days or weeks of purchasing your vehicle, you might have discovered that it had defects. For these defects to potentially make your vehicle a lemon, though, they must be substantial. A loose knob, hinge or button, in most cases, will not qualify as a substantial defect. Yet, braking or steering issues, among others, would meet this threshold because they affect your ability to safely operate your vehicle.
Once you notice a substantial defect on your vehicle, its manufacturer has the duty to repair it, so long as your warranty covers it. This remains true even if your vehicle is no longer under warranty, provided you report the defect within the appropriate time frame.
Your vehicle’s defects are unfixable
Taking your vehicle to the dealer for repairs soon after you purchased it will likely frustrate you. If you find yourself returning to fix the same defect multiple times, you likely have a lemon on your hands. Under Minnesota’s lemon law, in this case, you could qualify for a refund or replacement of your vehicle if it meets one of three criteria:
- At least four unsuccessful attempts have been made to repair the defect in question
- An unsuccessful attempt at repairing the defect led to the failure of its braking or steering system
- It has been out of service for at least 30 business days due to warranty repairs
If you discover that your vehicle is a lemon, you may be eligible for repairs, a refund or a replacement, depending on its defects. An attorney with experience in lemon law can help you understand the appropriate course of action given your vehicle’s issues.