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The federal government and states have lemon laws that give consumers recourse to compensate them when certain items they buy repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.

All Americans are covered by the federal lemon law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This law may protect consumers beyond what their warranty covers, applies to mechanical problems, and may even require the warrantor to pay the prevailing party’s attorney costs when the consumer wins a lemon-law case.

States also have lemon laws that vary by state, and like federal law most provide reimbursement for their legal costs.

How do you define a lemon? A new vehicle is officially considered a lemon if it has a substantial problem and repairs are not successfully done within a reasonable number of attempts. The definition also applies if the vehicle has been out of service for a certain amount of time.

Most state lemon laws require the manufacturer to provide a refund or replace the defective vehicle when it can’t be fixed in four attempts. If the problem is a safety-related defect, the manufacturer gets only two opportunities to fix the problem. In addition, a vehicle typically is also covered by a state lemon law if it’s out of service for 30 days for the initial 12,000 to 18,000 miles or year to two years.

To successfully win a lemon-law case, experts say one of the most important things you can do is keep good records. In addition, Consumer Reports recommends:

• Document everything—your purchase contracts, repair orders, service records, warranty book and other key documents.
• Take written notes on every conversation you have with the dealer, repair workers and others in the case. This even includes date and time, whether by phone or in person.
• Keep a record of the timeline. This means organize repair orders, keep tabs on how many times the vehicle was taken to the shop and how many days the vehicle has not been drivable.

Hawaii State Statutes

Title 26, Chapter 481I
Trade Regulation And Practice
Motor Vehicle Express Warranty Enforcement (Lemon Law)

The legislature recognizes that a motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase and that a defective motor vehicle creates a hardship for the consumer. The legislature further recognizes that a duly franchised motor vehicle dealer is an authorized service agent of the manufacturer. It is the intent of the legislature that a good faith motor vehicle warranty complaint by a consumer be resolved by the manufacturer within a specified period of time. It is further the intent of the legislature to provide statutory procedures whereby a consumer may receive a replacement motor vehicle, or a full refund, for a motor vehicle which is not brought into conformity with the applicable express warranties, as provided in this chapter. Finally, it is the intent of the legislature to ensure that consumers are made aware of their rights under this chapter and are not refused the information, documents, or service necessary to exercise their rights.

Nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit or expand the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

481I-2 Definitions.

When used in this section unless the context otherwise requires:

“Business day” means any day during which the service departments of authorized dealers of the manufacturer of the motor vehicle are normally open for business.

“Collateral charges” means those additional charges to a consumer wholly incurred as a result of the acquisition of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this chapter, collateral charges include but are not limited to finance and interest charges, manufacturer-installed or agent-installed items, general excise tax, license and registration fees, title charges, and similar government charges.

“Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee of a motor vehicle, any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of the express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle, and any other person entitled to enforce the obligations of the express warranty.

“Express warranty” means any written warranty issued by the manufacturer, or any affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer, excluding statements made by the dealer, in connection with the sale or lease of a motor vehicle to a consumer, which relates to the nature of the material or workmanship and affirms or promises that the motor vehicle shall conform to the affirmation, promise, or description or that the material or workmanship is free of defects or will meet a specified level of performance.

“Incidental charges” means those reasonable costs incurred by the consumer, including, but not limited to, towing charges and the costs of obtaining alternative transportation which are directly caused by the nonconformity or nonconformities which are the subject of the claim, but shall not include loss of use, loss of income, or personal injury claims.

“Lemon law rights period” means the term of the manufacturer’s express warranty, the period ending two years after the date of the original delivery of a motor vehicle to a consumer, or the first 24,000 miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

“Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle for one year or more pursuant to a written lease agreement which provides that the lessee is responsible for repairs to such motor vehicle, or any consumer who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease-purchase agreement.

“Motor vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over public streets and highways which is used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. For purposes of this definition, a “motor vehicle” also includes a “demonstrator”, which means a vehicle assigned by a dealer for the purpose of demonstrating qualities and characteristics common to vehicles of the same or similar model or type, but does not include mopeds, motorcycles, or motor scooters, as those terms are defined in chapter 286, or vehicles over 10,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating. For purposes of this definition, a “motor vehicle” also includes (1) an individually registered vehicle used for an individual’s business purposes and for personal, family, or household purposes; and (2) a vehicle owned or leased by a sole proprietorship, corporation or partnership which has purchased or leased no more than one vehicle per year, used for household, individual, or personal use in addition to business use.

“Nonconformity” means a defect, malfunction, or condition that fails to conform to the motor vehicle’s applicable express warranty and that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle, but does not include a defect, malfunction, or condition that results from an accident, abuse, neglect, modification, or alteration of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer.

“Purchase price” means the cash price appearing in the sales agreement or contract and paid for the motor vehicle, including any net allowance for a trade-in vehicle. Where the consumer is a second or subsequent purchaser and the arbitration award is for a refund of the motor vehicle, “purchase price” means the purchase price of the second or subsequent purchase not to exceed the purchase price paid by the original purchaser.

“Reasonable offset” for use means the number of miles attributable to a consumer up to the date of the third repair attempt of the same nonconformity which is the subject of the claim, the date of the first repair attempt of a nonconformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or the date of the thirtieth cumulative business day when the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities, whichever occurs first. The reasonable offset for use shall be equal to one per cent of the purchase price for every thousand miles of use.

“Replacement motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of original acquisition, including any service contract, undercoating, rustproofing, and factory or dealer installed options.

“Settlement” means an agreement for repurchase or replacement of a motor vehicle entered into between a manufacturer and a consumer that occurs after a dispute is submitted to an informal dispute resolution procedure or arbitration program or after a dispute is approved for arbitration under section 481I-4. “Settlement” does not include an agreement for a motor vehicle to be repurchased pursuant to a guaranteed repurchase or satisfaction program advertised by the manufacturer in which the vehicle was not alleged or found to have a nonconformity as defined in this section.

“Substantially impairs” means to render the motor vehicle unfit, unreliable, or unsafe for warranted or normal use, or to significantly diminish the value of the motor vehicle.

481I-3 Motor vehicle: express warranties, return.

(a) If a motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, and the consumer reports the nonconformity in writing to the manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or its authorized dealer during the term of the lemon law rights period, then the manufacturer, or, at its option, its agent, distributor, or its authorized dealer, shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such express warranties, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of such term.

(b) If the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers are unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle after a reasonable number of documented attempts, then the manufacturer shall provide the consumer with a replacement motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the following: the full purchase price including but not limited to charges for undercoating, dealer preparation, transportation, installed options, and all collateral and incidental charges, and less a reasonable offset for the consumer’s use of the motor vehicle.

If either a replacement motor vehicle or a refund is awarded, an “offset” may be made for damage to the vehicle not attributable to normal wear and tear, if unrelated to the nonconformity. If a replacement motor vehicle is awarded, a reasonable offset shall be made for the use of the motor vehicle and an additional offset may be made for loss to the fair market value of the vehicle resulting from damage beyond normal wear and tear, unless the damage resulted from the nonconformity. When the manufacturer supplies a replacement motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall be responsible for the general excise tax, and license and registration fees. Refunds made pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed to be refunds of the sales price and treated as such for purposes of section 237-3. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lienholder, if any, as their interests may appear on the records of ownership. If applicable, refunds shall be made to the lessor and lessee pursuant to rules adopted by the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

(c) It shall be an affirmative defense to any claim under this section that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

(d) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, if, during the lemon law rights period, any of the following occurs:

(1) The same nonconformity has been subject to examination or repair at least three times by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers, but such nonconformity continues to exists; or

(2) The nonconformity has been subject to examination or repair at least once by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers, but continues to be a nonconformity which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven; or

(3) The motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers for one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of thirty or more business days during the lemon law rights period.

The term of the lemon law rights period and such thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster.

The presumptions provided in this subsection shall not apply unless the manufacturer has received a written report of the nonconformity from the consumer and has had a reasonable opportunity to repair the nonconformity alleged.

Upon a second notice of the nonconformity, or, if the motor vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair in excess of twenty business days, the dealer shall notify the manufacturer of the nonconformity.

(e) During the lemon law rights period, the manufacturer or its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer shall provide to the consumer, each time the consumer’s vehicle is returned from being diagnosed or repaired under the warranty, a fully itemized, legible statement or repair order indicating any diagnosis made and all work performed on the vehicle, including, but not limited to, a general description of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition, parts and labor supplied, the date and the odometer reading when the vehicle was submitted for repair, and the date when the vehicle was made available to the consumer. The consumer shall sign and receive a copy of the statement or repair order.

(f) Upon request from the consumer, the manufacturer, or at its option its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall provide a copy of any report or computer reading regarding inspection, diagnosis, or test-drive of the consumer’s motor vehicle, and shall provide a copy of any technical service bulletin related to the nonconformity issued by the manufacturer regarding the year and model of the consumer’s motor vehicle as it pertains to any material, feature, component, or the performance thereof.

Upon receipt of a consumer’s written report of a nonconformity to the manufacturer, the manufacturer or, at its option, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall inform the consumer of any technical service bulletin or report relating to the nonconformity, and shall advise the consumer of the consumer’s right to obtain a copy of such report or technical service bulletin.

(g) The manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall provide the consumer at the time of purchase of the motor vehicle a written notice setting forth the terms of a state certified arbitration program and a statement of the rights of the consumer under this section in plain language, the form of which has been previously reviewed and approved by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for substantial compliance with title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 703, as may be modified by the requirements of this chapter. The written notice must specify the requirement that written notification to the manufacturer of the motor vehicle nonconformity is required before the consumer is eligible for a refund or replacement of the motor vehicle. The notice must also include the name and address to which the consumer must send such written notification. The provision of this statement is the direct responsibility of the dealer, as that term is defined in chapter 437.

(h) The consumer shall be required to notify the manufacturer of the nonconformity only if the consumer has received a written notice setting forth the terms of the state certified arbitration program and a statement of the rights of the consumer as set out in subsection (g).

(i) Where the state certified arbitration program is invoked by the consumer of a motor vehicle under express warranties, a decision resolving the dispute shall be rendered within forty-five days after the procedure is invoked. However, the failure of an arbitrator to render a decision within forty-five days because of unforeseen circumstances shall not void any subsequent decision.

Any decision rendered resolving the dispute shall provide appropriate remedies including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Provision of a replacement motor vehicle; or

(2) Acceptance of the motor vehicle from the consumer, refund of the full purchase price, and all collateral and incidental charges.

The decision shall specify a date for performance and completion of all awarded remedies.

(j) Any action brought under this section must be initiated within one year following expiration of the lemon law rights period.

(k) No vehicle transferred to a dealer or manufacturer by a buyer or a lessee under this chapter or by judgment, settlement, or arbitration award in this State or in another state may be sold, leased, or auctioned by any person unless:

(1) The nature of the defect experienced by the original buyer or lessee is clearly and conspicuously disclosed on a separate document that must be signed by the manufacturer and the purchaser and must be in ten point, capitalized type, in substantially the following form:

“IMPORTANT: THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE A DEFECT(S) COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER’S EXPRESS WARRANTY WAS NOT REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AS PROVIDED BY LAW.”;

(2) The defect is corrected; and

(3) The manufacturer warrants to the new buyer or lessee, in writing, that if the defect reappears within one year or 12,000 miles after the date of resale, whichever occurs first, it will be corrected at no expense to the consumer.

(l) A violation of subsection (k) shall constitute prima facie evidence of an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 480.

481I-4 Arbitration mechanism.

(a) The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall establish and monitor a state certified arbitration program which is in substantial compliance with title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 703, as may be modified by this section, and shall adopt appropriate rules governing its operation.

(b) The director of commerce and consumer affairs may contract with an independent arbitration organization for annual term appointments to screen, hear, and resolve consumer complaints which have been initiated pursuant to section 481I-3.

The following criteria shall be considered in evaluating the suitability of independent arbitration mechanisms: capability, objectivity, experience, non-affiliation with manufacturers of or dealers in new motor vehicles, reliability, financial stability, and fee structure.

(c) If a consumer agrees to participate in and be bound by the operation and decision of the state certified arbitration program, then all parties shall also participate in, and be bound by, the operation and decision of the state certified arbitration program. The prevailing party of an arbitration decision made pursuant to this section may be allowed reasonable attorney’s fees.

(d) The submission of any dispute to arbitration in which the consumer elects nonbinding arbitration shall not limit the right of any party to a subsequent trial de novo upon written demand made upon the opposing party to the arbitration within thirty calendar days after service of the arbitration award, and the award shall not be admissible as evidence at that trial. If the party demanding a trial de novo does not improve its position as a result of the trial by at least twenty-five per cent, then the court shall order that all of the reasonable costs of trial, consultation, and attorney’s fees be paid for by the party making the demand.

If neither party to a nonbinding arbitration demands a trial de novo within thirty days after service of the arbitration award, the arbitrator’s decision shall become binding on both parties upon the expiration of the thirty-day period.

(e) Funding of the state certified arbitration program shall be provided through an initial filing fee of $200 to be paid by the manufacturer and $50 to be paid by the consumer upon initiating a case for arbitration under this section. Every final decision in favor of the consumer issued by the independent arbitration mechanism shall include within its relief the return of the $50 filing fee to the consumer. The director of commerce and consumer affairs may establish a trust fund for the purpose of administering fees and costs associated with the state certified arbitration program.

(f) The failure of a manufacturer to timely comply with a binding decision of a state certified arbitration program shall be prima facie evidence of an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 480 unless the manufacturer can prove that it attempted in “good faith” to comply, or that the failure was beyond the manufacturer’s control, the result of a written agreement with the consumer, or based on an appeal filed under chapter 658.

Title 19 Chapter 118
Motor Vehicle Warranties

The legislature recognizes that a new motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase and that a defective motor vehicle is likely to create hardship for, or may cause injury to, the consumer. The legislature further recognizes that good cooperation and communication between a manufacturer and a new motor vehicle dealer will considerably increase the likelihood that a new motor vehicle will be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. It is the intent of the legislature to ensure that the consumer is made aware of his or her rights under this chapter and is not refused information, documents, or service that would otherwise obstruct the exercise of his or her rights.

In enacting these comprehensive measures, it is the intent of the legislature to create the proper blend of private and public remedies necessary to enforce this chapter, such that a manufacturer will be sufficiently induced to take necessary steps to improve quality control at the time of production or provide better warranty service for the new motor vehicles that it sells in this state.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.010 Motor vehicle manufacturers.

Express warranties; Service and repair facilities.

Every manufacturer of motor vehicles sold in this state and for which the manufacturer has made an express warranty shall maintain in this state sufficient service and repair facilities reasonably close to all areas in which its motor vehicles are sold to carry out the terms of the warranties or designate and authorize in this state as service and repair facilities independent repair or service facilities reasonably close to all areas in which its motor vehicles are sold to carry out the terms of the warranties. As a means of complying with this section, a manufacturer may enter into warranty service contracts with independent service and repair facilities.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.021 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) “Board” means new motor vehicle arbitration board.

(2) “Collateral charges” means any sales or lease related charges including but not limited to sales tax, use tax, arbitration service fees, unused license fees, unused registration fees, unused title fees, finance charges, prepayment penalties, credit disability and credit life insurance costs not otherwise refundable, any other insurance costs prorated for time out of service, transportation charges, dealer preparation charges, or any other charges for service contracts, undercoating, rust proofing, or factory or dealer installed options.

(3) “Condition” means a general problem that results from a defect or malfunction of one or more parts, or their improper installation by the manufacturer, its agents, or the new motor vehicle dealer.

(4) “Consumer” means any person who has entered into an agreement or contract for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a new motor vehicle, other than for purposes of resale or sublease, during the duration of the warranty period defined under this section.

(5) “Court” means the superior court in the county where the consumer resides, except if the consumer does not reside in this state, then the superior court in the county where an arbitration hearing or determination was conducted or made pursuant to this chapter.

(6) “Incidental costs” means any reasonable expenses incurred by the consumer in connection with the repair of the new motor vehicle, including any towing charges and the costs of obtaining alternative transportation.

(7) “Manufacturer” means any person engaged in the business of constructing or assembling new motor vehicles or engaged in the business of importing new motor vehicles into the United States for the purpose of selling or distributing new motor vehicles to new motor vehicle dealers. “Manufacturer” does not include any person engaged in the business of set-up of motorcycles as an agent of a new motor vehicle dealer if the person does not otherwise construct or assemble motorcycles.

(8) “Motorcycle” means any motorcycle as defined in RCW 46.04.330 which has an engine displacement of at least seven hundred fifty cubic centimeters.

(9) “Motor home” means a vehicular unit designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, built on or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or on a chassis cab or van that is an integral part of the completed vehicle.

(10) “Motor home manufacturer” means the first stage manufacturer, the component manufacturer, and the final stage manufacturer.

(a) “First stage manufacturer” means a person who manufactures incomplete new motor vehicles such as chassis, chassis cabs, or vans, that are directly warranted by the first stage manufacturer to the consumer, and are completed by a final stage manufacturer into a motor home.

(b) “Component manufacturer” means a person who manufactures components used in the manufacture or assembly of a chassis, chassis cab, or van that is completed into a motor home and whose components are directly warranted by the component manufacturer to the consumer.

(c) “Final stage manufacturer” means a person who assembles, installs, or permanently affixes a body, cab, or equipment to an incomplete new motor vehicle such as a chassis, chassis cab, or van provided by a first stage manufacturer, to complete the vehicle into a motor home.

(11) “New motor vehicle” means any new self-propelled vehicle, including a new motorcycle, primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways that was originally purchased or leased at retail from a new motor vehicle dealer or leasing company in this state, and that was initially registered in this state or for which a temporary motor vehicle license was issued pursuant to RCW 46.16.460, but does not include vehicles purchased or leased by a business as part of a fleet of ten or more vehicles at one time or under a single purchase or lease agreement. If the motor vehicle is a motor home, this chapter shall apply to the self-propelled vehicle and chassis, but does not include those portions of the vehicle designated, used, or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or commercial space. The term “new motor vehicle” does not include trucks with nineteen thousand pounds or more gross vehicle weight rating. The term “new motor vehicle” includes a demonstrator or lease-purchase vehicle as long as a manufacturer’s warranty was issued as a condition of sale.

(12) “New motor vehicle dealer” means a person who holds a dealer agreement with a manufacturer for the sale of new motor vehicles, who is engaged in the business of purchasing, selling, servicing, exchanging, or dealing in new motor vehicles, and who is licensed or required to be licensed as a vehicle dealer by the state of Washington.

(13) “Nonconformity” means a defect, serious safety defect, or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a new motor vehicle, but does not include a defect or condition that is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of the new motor vehicle.

(14) “Purchase price” means the cash price of the new motor vehicle appearing in the sales agreement or contract.

(a) “Purchase price” in the instance of a lease means the actual written capitalized cost disclosed to the consumer contained in the lease agreement. If there is no disclosed capitalized cost in the lease agreement the “purchase price” is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price including manufacturer installed accessories or items of optional equipment displayed on the manufacturer label, required by 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1232.

(b) “Purchase price” in the instance of both a vehicle purchase or lease agreement includes any allowance for a trade-in vehicle but does not include any manufacturer-to-consumer rebate appearing in the agreement or contract that the consumer received or that was applied to reduce the purchase or lease cost. Where the consumer is a subsequent transferee and the consumer selects repurchase of the motor vehicle, “purchase price” means the consumer’s subsequent purchase price. Where the consumer is a subsequent transferee and the consumer selects replacement of the motor vehicle, “purchase price” means the original purchase price.

(15) “Reasonable offset for use” means the definition provided in RCW 19.118.041(1)(c) for a new motor vehicle other than a new motorcycle. The reasonable offset for use for a new motorcycle shall be computed by the number of miles that the vehicle traveled before the manufacturer’s acceptance of the vehicle upon repurchase or replacement multiplied by the purchase price, and divided by twenty-five thousand.

(16) “Reasonable number of attempts” means the definition provided in RCW 19.118.041.

(17) “Replacement motor vehicle” means a new motor vehicle that is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of original purchase or lease, including any service contract, undercoating, rustproofing, and factory or dealer installed options.

(18) “Serious safety defect” means a life-threatening malfunction or nonconformity that impedes the consumer’s ability to control or operate the new motor vehicle for ordinary use or reasonable intended purposes or creates a risk of fire or explosion.

(19) “Subsequent transferee” means a consumer who acquires a motor vehicle, within the warranty period, as defined in this section, with an applicable manufacturer’s written warranty and where the vehicle otherwise met the definition of a new motor vehicle at the time of original retail sale or lease.

(20) “Substantially impair” means to render the new motor vehicle unreliable, or unsafe for ordinary use, or to diminish the resale value of the new motor vehicle below the average resale value for comparable motor vehicles.

(21) “Warranty” means any implied warranty, any written warranty of the manufacturer, or any affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer in connection with the sale of a new motor vehicle that becomes part of the basis of the bargain. The term “warranty” pertains to the obligations of the manufacturer in relation to materials, workmanship, and fitness of a new motor vehicle for ordinary use or reasonably intended purposes throughout the duration of the warranty period as defined under this section.

(22) “Warranty period” means the period ending two years after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of a new motor vehicle, or the first twenty-four thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.031 Manufacturers and new motor vehicle dealers.

Responsibilities to consumers; Extension of warranty period.

(1) The manufacturer shall publish an owner’s manual and provide it to the new motor vehicle dealer or leasing company. The owner’s manual shall include a list of the addresses and phone numbers for the manufacturer’s customer assistance division, or zone or regional offices. A manufacturer shall provide to the new motor vehicle dealer or leasing company all applicable manufacturer’s written warranties. The dealer or leasing company shall transfer to the consumer, at the time of original retail sale or lease, the owner’s manual and applicable written warranties as provided by a manufacturer.

(2) At the time of purchase, the new motor vehicle dealer shall provide the consumer with a written statement that explains the consumer’s rights under this chapter. The written statement shall be prepared and supplied by the attorney general and shall contain a toll-free number that the consumer can contact for information regarding the procedures and remedies under this chapter.

(3) For the purposes of this chapter, if a new motor vehicle does not conform to the warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity during the term of the warranty period or the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty, whichever is less, to the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer who sold the new motor vehicle, the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer shall make repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to the warranty, regardless of whether such repairs are made after the expiration of the warranty period. Any corrections or attempted repairs undertaken by a new motor vehicle dealer under this chapter shall be treated as warranty work and billed by the dealer to the manufacturer in the same manner as other work under the manufacturer’s written warranty is billed. For purposes of this subsection, the manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

(4) Upon request from the consumer, the manufacturer or new motor vehicle dealer shall provide a copy of any report or computer reading compiled by the manufacturer’s field or zone representative regarding inspection, diagnosis, or test-drive of the consumer’s new motor vehicle, or shall provide a copy of any technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer regarding the year and model of the consumer’s new motor vehicle as it pertains to any material, feature, component, or the performance thereof.

(5) The new motor vehicle dealer shall provide to the consumer each time the consumer’s vehicle is returned from being diagnosed or repaired under the warranty, a fully itemized, legible statement or repair order indicating any diagnosis made, and all work performed on the vehicle including but not limited to, a general description of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition, parts and labor, the date and the odometer reading when the vehicle was submitted for repair, and the date when the vehicle was made available to the consumer.

(6) No manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer may refuse to diagnose or repair any nonconformity covered by the warranty for the purpose of avoiding liability under this chapter.

(7) For purposes of this chapter, consumers shall have the rights and remedies, including a cause of action, against manufacturers as provided in this chapter.

(8) The warranty period and thirty-day out-of-service period, and sixty-day out-of-service period in the case of a motor home, shall be extended by any time that repair services are not available to the consumer as a direct result of a strike, war, invasion, fire, flood, or other natural disaster.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.041 Replacement or repurchase of nonconforming new motor vehicle.

Reasonable number of attempts; Notice by consumer regarding motor home nonconformity; Liabilities and rights of parties; Application of consumer protection act.

(1) If the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer is unable to conform the new motor vehicle to the warranty by repairing or correcting any nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer, within forty calendar days of a consumer’s written request to the manufacturer’s corporate, dispute resolution, zone, or regional office address shall, at the option of the consumer, replace or repurchase the new motor vehicle.

(a) The replacement motor vehicle shall be identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of original purchase or lease, including any service contract, undercoating, rust proofing, and factory or dealer installed options. Where the manufacturer supplies a replacement motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall be responsible for sales tax, license, registration fees, and refund of any incidental costs. Compensation for a reasonable offset for use shall be paid by the consumer to the manufacturer in the event that the consumer accepts a replacement motor vehicle.

(b) When repurchasing the new motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall refund to the consumer the purchase price, all collateral charges, and incidental costs, less a reasonable offset for use. When repurchasing the new motor vehicle, in the instance of a lease, the manufacturer shall refund to the consumer all payments made by the consumer under the lease including but not limited to all lease payments, trade-in value or inception payment, security deposit, all collateral charges and incidental costs less a reasonable offset for use. The manufacturer shall make such payment to the lessor and/or lien holder of record as necessary to obtain clear title to the motor vehicle and upon the lessor’s and/or lien holder’s receipt of that payment and payment by the consumer of any late payment charges, the consumer shall be relieved of any future obligation to the lessor and/or lien holder.

(c) The reasonable offset for use shall be computed by multiplying the number of miles that the vehicle traveled directly attributable to use by the consumer times the purchase price, and dividing the product by one hundred twenty thousand, except in the case of a motor home, in which event it shall be divided by ninety thousand. However, the reasonable offset for use calculation total for a motor home is subject to modification by the board by decreasing or increasing the offset total up to a maximum of one- third of the offset total. The board may modify the offset total in those circumstances where the board determines that the wear and tear on those portions of the motor home designated, used, or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or commercial space are significantly greater or significantly less than that which could be reasonably expected based on the mileage attributable to the consumer’s use of the motor home. Where the consumer is a second or subsequent purchaser, lessee, or transferee of the motor vehicle and the consumer selects repurchase of the motor vehicle, “the number of miles that the vehicle traveled” shall be calculated from the date of purchase or lease by the consumer. Where the consumer is a second or subsequent purchaser, lessee, or transferee of the motor vehicle and the consumer selects replacement of the motor vehicle, “the number of miles that the vehicle traveled” shall be calculated from the original purchase, lease, or in-service date.

(2) Reasonable number of attempts, except in the case of a new motor vehicle that is a motor home acquired after June 30, 1998, shall be deemed to have been undertaken by the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer to conform the new motor vehicle to the warranty within the warranty period, if:

(a) The same serious safety defect has been subject to diagnosis or repair two or more times, at least one of which is during the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty, and the serious safety defect continues to exist;

(b) the same nonconformity has been subject to diagnosis or repair four or more times, at least one of which is during the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty, and the nonconformity continues to exist; or

(c) the vehicle is out of service by reason of diagnosis or repair of one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of thirty calendar days, at least fifteen of them during the period of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty. For purposes of this subsection, the manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

(3)

(a) In the case of a new motor vehicle that is a motor home acquired after June 30, 1998, a reasonable number of attempts shall be deemed to have been undertaken by the motor home manufacturers, their respective agents, or their respective new motor vehicle dealers to conform the new motor vehicle to the warranty within the warranty period, if:

(i) The same serious safety defect has been subject to diagnosis or repair one or more times during the period of coverage of the applicable motor home manufacturer’s written warranty, plus a final attempt to repair the vehicle as provided for in (b) of this subsection, and the serious safety defect continues to exist;

(ii) the same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times, at least one of which is during the period of coverage of the applicable motor home manufacturer’s written warranty, plus a final attempt to repair the vehicle as provided for in (b) of this subsection, and the nonconformity continues to exist; or

(iii) the vehicle is out of service by reason of diagnosis or repair of one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of sixty calendar days aggregating all motor home manufacturer days out of service, and the motor home manufacturers have had at least one opportunity to coordinate and complete an inspection and any repairs of the vehicle’s nonconformities after receipt of notification from the consumer as provided for in (c) of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, each motor home manufacturer’s written warranty must be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

(b) In the case of a new motor vehicle that is a motor home, after one attempt has been made to repair a serious safety defect, or after three attempts have been made to repair the same nonconformity, the consumer shall give written notification of the need to repair the nonconformity to each of the motor home manufacturers at their respective corporate, zone, or regional office addresses to allow the motor home manufacturers to coordinate and complete a final attempt to cure the nonconformity. The motor home manufacturers each have fifteen days, commencing upon receipt of the notification, to respond and inform the consumer of the location of the facility where the vehicle will be repaired. If the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to a serious safety defect, or to the extent the repair facility is more than one hundred miles from the motor home location, the motor home manufacturers are responsible for the cost of transporting the vehicle to and from the repair facility. The motor home manufacturers have a cumulative total of thirty days, commencing upon delivery of the vehicle to the designated repair facility by the consumer, to conform the vehicle to the applicable motor home manufacturer’s written warranty. This time period may be extended if the consumer agrees in writing. If a motor home manufacturer fails to respond to the consumer or perform the repairs within the time period prescribed, that motor home manufacturer is not entitled to a final attempt to cure the nonconformity.

(c) In the case of a new motor vehicle that is a motor home, if the vehicle is out of service by reason of diagnosis or repair of one or more nonconformities by the motor home manufacturers, their respective agents, or their respective new motor vehicle dealers for a cumulative total of thirty or more days aggregating all motor home manufacturer days out of service, the consumer shall so notify each motor home manufacturer in writing at their respective corporate, zone, or regional office addresses to allow the motor home manufacturers, their respective agents, or their respective new motor vehicle dealers an opportunity to coordinate and complete an inspection and any repairs of the vehicle’s nonconformities. The motor home manufacturers have fifteen days, commencing upon receipt of the notification, to respond and inform the consumer of the location of the facility where the vehicle will be repaired. If the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to a serious safety defect, or to the extent the repair facility is more than one hundred miles from the motor home location, the motor home manufacturers are responsible for the cost of transporting the vehicle to and from the repair facility. Once the buyer delivers the vehicle to the designated repair facility, the inspection and repairs must be completed by the motor home manufacturers either

(i) within ten days or

(ii) before the vehicle is out of service by reason of diagnosis or repair of one or more nonconformities for sixty days, whichever time period is longer.

This time period may be extended if the consumer agrees in writing. If a motor home manufacturer fails to respond to the consumer or perform the repairs within the time period prescribed, that motor home manufacturer is not entitled to at least one opportunity to inspect and repair the vehicle’s nonconformities after receipt of notification from the buyer as provided for in this subsection (3)(c).

(4) No new motor vehicle dealer may be held liable by the manufacturer for any collateral charges, incidental costs, purchase price refunds, or vehicle replacements. Manufacturers shall not have a cause of action against dealers under this chapter. Consumers shall not have a cause of action against dealers under this chapter, but a violation of any responsibilities imposed upon dealers under this chapter is a per se violation of chapter 19.86 RCW. Consumers may pursue rights and remedies against dealers under any other law, including chapters 46.70 and 46.71 RCW. Manufacturers and consumers may not make dealers parties to arbitration board proceedings under this chapter.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.061 Vehicle with nonconformities or out of service.

Notification of correction; Resale or transfer of title; Issuance of new title; Disclosure to buyer; Intervening transferor.

(1) A manufacturer shall be prohibited from reselling any motor vehicle determined or adjudicated as having a serious safety defect unless the serious safety defect has been corrected and the manufacturer warrants upon the first subsequent resale that the defect has been corrected.

(2) Before any sale or transfer of a vehicle that has been replaced or repurchased by the manufacturer that was determined or adjudicated as having a nonconformity or to have been out of service for thirty or more calendar days, or sixty or more calendar days in the case of a motor home, under this chapter, the manufacturer shall:

(a) Notify the attorney general and the department of licensing, by certified mail or by personal service, upon receipt of the motor vehicle;

(b) Attach a resale disclosure notice to the vehicle in a manner and form to be specified by the attorney general. Only the retail purchaser may remove the resale disclosure notice after execution of the disclosure form required under subsection (3) of this section; and

(c) Notify the attorney general and the department of licensing if the nonconformity in the motor vehicle is corrected.

(3) Upon the first subsequent resale, either at wholesale or retail, or transfer of title of a motor vehicle and which was previously returned after a final determination, adjudication, or settlement under this chapter or under a similar statute of any other state, the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer who has actual knowledge of said final determination, adjudication or settlement, shall execute and deliver to the buyer before sale an instrument in writing setting forth information identifying the nonconformity in a manner to be specified by the attorney general, and the department of licensing shall place on the certificate of title information indicating the vehicle was returned under this chapter.

(4) Upon receipt of the manufacturer’s notification under subsection (2) of this section that the nonconformity has been corrected and upon the manufacturer’s request and payment of any fees, the department of licensing shall issue a new title with information indicating the vehicle was returned under this chapter and that the nonconformity has been corrected. Upon the first subsequent resale, either at wholesale or retail, or transfer of title of a motor vehicle, as provided under subsection (2)(c) of this section, the manufacturer shall warrant upon the resale that the nonconformity has been corrected, and the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer who has actual knowledge of the corrected nonconformity, shall execute and deliver to the buyer before sale an instrument in writing setting forth information identifying the nonconformity and indicating that it has been corrected in a manner to be specified by the attorney general.

(5) After repurchase or replacement and following a manufacturer’s receipt of a vehicle under this section and prior to a vehicle’s first subsequent retail transfer by resale or lease, any intervening transferor of a vehicle subject to the requirements of this section who has received the disclosure, correction and warranty documents, as specified by the attorney general and required under this chapter, shall deliver the documents with the vehicle to the next transferor, purchaser or lessee to ensure proper and timely notice and disclosure. Any intervening transferor who fails to comply with this subsection shall, at the option of the subsequent transferor or first subsequent retail purchaser or lessee:

(a) Indemnify any subsequent transferor or first subsequent retail purchaser for all damages caused by such violation; or

(b) repurchase the vehicle at the full purchase price including all fees, taxes and costs incurred for goods and services which were included in the subsequent transaction.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.070 Remedies.

The remedies provided under this chapter are cumulative and are in addition to any other remedies provided by law.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.080 New motor vehicle arbitration boards.

Board proceedings; Prerequisite to filing action in superior court.

(1) Except as provided in RCW 19.118.160, the attorney general shall contract with one or more private entities to conduct arbitration proceedings in order to settle disputes between consumers and manufacturers as provided in this chapter, and each private entity shall constitute a new motor vehicle arbitration board for purposes of this chapter. The entities shall not be affiliated with any manufacturer or new motor vehicle dealer and shall have available the services of persons with automotive technical expertise to assist in resolving disputes under this chapter. No private entity or its officers or employees conducting board proceedings and no arbitrator presiding at such proceedings shall be directly involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, or warranty service of any motor vehicle. Payment to the entities for the arbitration services shall be made from the new motor vehicle arbitration account.

(2) The attorney general shall adopt rules for the uniform conduct of the arbitrations by the boards whether conducted by a private entity or by the attorney general pursuant to RCW 19.118.160, which rules shall include but not be limited to the following procedures:

(a) At all arbitration proceedings, the parties are entitled to present oral and written testimony, to present witnesses and evidence relevant to the dispute, to cross-examine witnesses, and to be represented by counsel.

(b) A dealer, manufacturer, or other persons shall produce records and documents requested by a party which are reasonably related to the dispute. If a dealer, manufacturer, or other person refuses to comply with such a request, a party may present a request to the board for the attorney general to issue a subpoena on behalf of the board.

The subpoena shall be issued only for the production of records and documents which the board has determined are reasonably related to the dispute, including but not limited to documents described in RCW 19.118.031 (4) or (5).

If a party fails to comply with the subpoena, the arbitrator may at the outset of the arbitration hearing impose any of the following sanctions:

(i) Find that the matters which were the subject of the subpoena, or any other designated facts, shall be taken to be established for purposes of the hearing in accordance with the claim of the party which requested the subpoena;

(ii) refuse to allow the disobedient party to support or oppose the designated claims or defenses, or prohibit that party from introducing designated matters into evidence;

(iii) strike claims or defenses, or parts thereof; or

(iv) render a decision by default against the disobedient party.

If a nonparty fails to comply with a subpoena and upon an arbitrator finding that without such compliance there is insufficient evidence to render a decision in the dispute, the attorney general shall enforce such subpoena in superior court and the arbitrator shall continue the arbitration hearing until such time as the nonparty complies with the subpoena or the subpoena is quashed.

(c) A party may obtain written affidavits from employees and agents of a dealer, a manufacturer or other party, or from other potential witnesses, and may submit such affidavits for consideration by the board.

(d) Records of the board proceedings shall be open to the public. The hearings shall be open to the public to the extent practicable.

(e) Where the board proceedings are conducted by one or more private entities, a single arbitrator may be designated to preside at such proceedings.

(3) A consumer shall exhaust the new motor vehicle arbitration board remedy or informal dispute resolution settlement procedure under RCW 19.118.150 before filing any superior court action.

(4) The attorney general shall maintain records of each dispute submitted to the new motor vehicle arbitration board, including an index of new motor vehicles by year, make, and model.

(5) The attorney general shall compile aggregate annual statistics for all disputes submitted to, and decided by, the new motor vehicle arbitration board, as well as annual statistics for each manufacturer that include, but shall not be limited to, the number and percent of:

(a) Replacement motor vehicle requests;

(b) purchase price refund requests;

(c) replacement motor vehicles obtained in prehearing settlements;

(d) purchase price refunds obtained in prehearing settlements;

(e) replacement motor vehicles awarded in arbitration;

(f) purchase price refunds awarded in arbitration;

(g) board decisions neither complied with during the forty calendar day period nor petitioned for appeal within the thirty calendar day period;

(h) board decisions appealed categorized by consumer or manufacturer;

(i) the nature of the court decisions and who the prevailing party was;

(j) appeals that were held by the court to be brought without good cause; and

(k) appeals that were held by the court to be brought solely for the purpose of harassment. The statistical compilations shall be public information.

(6) The attorney general shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Such rules shall include uniform standards by which the boards shall make determinations under this chapter, including but not limited to rules which provide:

(a) A board shall find that a nonconformity exists if it determines that the consumer’s new motor vehicle has a defect, serious safety defect, or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.

(b) A board shall find that a reasonable number of attempts to repair a nonconformity have been undertaken if:

(i) The same serious safety defect has been subject to diagnosis or repair two or more times, at least one of which is during the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty, and the serious safety defect continues to exist;

(ii) the same nonconformity has been subject to diagnosis or repair four or more times, at least one of which is during the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty, and the nonconformity continues to exist; or

(iii) the vehicle is out of service by reason of diagnosis or repair of one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of thirty calendar days, at least fifteen of them during the period of the applicable manufacturer’s written warranty. For purposes of this subsection, the manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

(c) A board shall find that a manufacturer has failed to comply with RCW 19.118.041 if it finds that the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer has failed to correct a nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts and the manufacturer has failed, within forty days of the consumer’s written request, to repurchase the vehicle or replace the vehicle with a vehicle identical or reasonably equivalent to the vehicle being replaced.

(7) The attorney general shall provide consumers with information regarding the procedures and remedies under this chapter.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.090 Request for arbitration.

Eligibility; Rejection; Manufacturer’s response; Remedies; Defenses; Acceptance or appeal.

(1) A consumer may request arbitration under this chapter by submitting the request to the attorney general. Within ten days after receipt of an arbitration request, the attorney general shall make a reasonable determination of the cause of the request for arbitration and provide necessary information to the consumer regarding the consumer’s rights and remedies under this chapter. The attorney general shall assign the dispute to a board, except that if it clearly appears from the materials submitted by the consumer that the dispute is not eligible for arbitration, the attorney general may refuse to assign the dispute and shall explain any required procedures to the consumer.

(2) Manufacturers shall submit to arbitration if such arbitration is requested by the consumer within thirty months from the date of the original delivery of the new motor vehicle to a consumer at retail and if the consumer’s dispute is deemed eligible for arbitration by the board. In the case of a motor home, the thirty-month period will be extended by the amount of time it takes the motor home manufacturers to complete the final repair attempt at the designated repair facility as provided for in RCW 19.118.041(3)(b).

(3) The new motor vehicle arbitration board may reject for arbitration any dispute that it determines to be frivolous, fraudulent, filed in bad faith, res judicata or beyond its authority. Any dispute deemed by the board to be ineligible for arbitration due to insufficient evidence may be reconsidered by the board upon the submission of other information or documents regarding the dispute that would allegedly qualify for relief under this chapter. Following a second review, the board may reject the dispute for arbitration if evidence is still clearly insufficient to qualify the dispute for relief under this chapter. A rejection by the board is subject to review by the attorney general or may be appealed under RCW 19.118.100.

A decision to reject any dispute for arbitration shall be sent by certified mail to the consumer and the manufacturer, and shall contain a brief explanation as to the reason therefore.

(4) The manufacturer shall complete a written manufacturer response to the consumer’s request for arbitration. The manufacturer shall provide a response to the consumer and the board within ten calendar days from the date of the manufacturer’s receipt of the board’s notice of acceptance of a dispute for arbitration. The manufacturer response shall include all issues and affirmative defenses related to the nonconformities identified in the consumer’s request for arbitration that the manufacturer intends to raise at the arbitration hearing.

(5) The arbitration board shall award the remedies under RCW 19.118.041 if it finds a nonconformity and that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to correct the nonconformity. The board shall award reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by the consumer where the manufacturer has been directly represented by counsel:

(a) In dealings with the consumer in response to a request to repurchase or replace under RCW 19.118.041;

(b) in settlement negotiations;

(c) in preparation of the manufacturer’s statement; or

(d) at an arbitration board hearing or other board proceeding.

In the case of an arbitration involving a motor home, the board may allocate liability among the motor home manufacturers.

(6) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter that:

(a) The alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the new motor vehicle; or

(b) the alleged nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of the new motor vehicle.

(7) The board shall have forty-five calendar days from the date the board receives the consumer’s request for arbitration to hear the dispute. If the board determines that additional information is necessary, the board may continue the arbitration proceeding on a subsequent date within ten calendar days of the initial hearing. The board shall decide the dispute within sixty calendar days from the date the board receives the consumer’s request for arbitration.

The decision of the board shall be delivered by certified mail or personal service to the consumer and the manufacturer, and shall contain a written finding of whether the new motor vehicle meets the standards set forth under this chapter.

(8) The consumer may accept the arbitration board decision or appeal to superior court, pursuant to RCW 19.118.100. Upon acceptance by the consumer, the arbitration board decision shall become final. The consumer shall send written notification of acceptance or rejection to the arbitration board within sixty days of receiving the decision and the arbitration board shall immediately deliver a copy of the consumer’s acceptance to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service. Failure of the consumer to respond to the arbitration board within sixty calendar days of receiving the decision shall be considered a rejection of the decision by the consumer. The consumer shall have one hundred twenty calendar days from the date of rejection to file a petition of appeal in superior court. At the time the petition of appeal is filed, the consumer shall deliver, by certified mail or personal service, a conformed copy of such petition to the attorney general.

(9) Upon receipt of the consumer’s acceptance, the manufacturer shall have forty calendar days to comply with the arbitration board decision or thirty calendar days to file a petition of appeal in superior court. At the time the petition of appeal is filed, the manufacturer shall deliver, by certified mail or personal service, a conformed copy of such petition to the attorney general. If the attorney general receives no notice of petition of appeal after forty calendar days, the attorney general shall contact the consumer to verify compliance.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.095 Arbitration decision.

Compliance; Accomplishment; Dispute; Failure; Fine; Costs; Attorneys’ fees.

(1) Compliance with an arbitration board decision under this chapter must be accomplished at a time, place, and in a manner to be determined by the mutual agreement of the consumer and manufacturer.

(a) The consumer shall make the motor vehicle available to the manufacturer free of damage other than that related to any nonconformity, defect, or condition to which a warranty applied, or that can reasonably be expected in the use of the vehicle for ordinary or reasonably intended purposes and in consideration of the mileage attributable to the consumer’s use. Any insurance claims or settlement proceeds for repair of damage to the vehicle due to fire, theft, vandalism, or collision must be assigned to the manufacturer or, at the consumer’s option, the repair must be completed before return of the vehicle to the manufacturer. The consumer may not remove any equipment or option that was included in the original purchase or lease of the vehicle or that is otherwise included in the repurchase or replacement award. In removing any equipment not included in the original purchase or lease, the consumer shall exercise reasonable care to avoid further damage to the vehicle but is not required to return the vehicle to original condition.

(b) At the time of compliance with an arbitration board decision that awards repurchase, the manufacturer shall make full payment to the consumers and either the lessor or lien holder, or both, or provide verification to the consumer of prior payment to either the lessor or lien holder, or both. At the time of compliance with an arbitration board decision that awards replacement, the manufacturer shall provide the replacement vehicle together with any refund of incidental costs.

(c) At any time before compliance a party may request the board to resolve disputes regarding compliance with the arbitration board decision including but not limited to time and place for compliance, condition of the vehicle to be returned, clarification or recalculation of refund amounts under the award, or a determination if an offered vehicle is reasonably equivalent to the vehicle being replaced. In resolving compliance disputes the board may not review, alter, or otherwise change the findings of a decision or extend the time for compliance beyond the time necessary for the board to resolve the dispute.

(d) Failure of the consumer to make the vehicle available within sixty calendar days in response to a manufacturer’s unconditional tender of compliance is considered a rejection of the arbitration decision by the consumer, except as provided in (c) of this subsection or subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If, at the end of the forty calendar day period, neither compliance with nor a petition to appeal the board’s decision has occurred, the attorney general may impose a fine of up to one thousand dollars per day until compliance occurs or a maximum penalty of one hundred thousand dollars accrues unless the manufacturer can provide clear and convincing evidence that any delay or failure was beyond its control or was acceptable to the consumer as evidenced by a written statement signed by the consumer. If the manufacturer fails to provide the evidence or fails to pay the fine, the attorney general may initiate proceedings against the manufacturer for failure to pay any fine that accrues until compliance with the board’s decision occurs or the maximum penalty of one hundred thousand dollars results. If the attorney general prevails in an enforcement action regarding any fine imposed under this subsection, the attorney general is entitled to reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees. Fines and recovered costs and fees shall be returned to the new motor vehicle arbitration account.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.100 Trial de novo.

Posting security; Recovery.

(1) The consumer or the manufacturer may request a trial de novo of the arbitration decision, including a rejection, in superior court.

(2) If the manufacturer appeals, the court may require the manufacturer to post security for the consumer’s financial loss due to the passage of time for review.

(3) If the consumer prevails, recovery shall include the monetary value of the award, attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the superior court action, and, if the board awarded the consumer replacement or repurchase of the vehicle and the manufacturer did not comply, continuing damages in the amount of twenty-five dollars per day for all days beyond the forty calendar day period following the manufacturer’s receipt of the consumer’s acceptance of the board’s decision in which the manufacturer did not provide the consumer with the free use of a comparable loaner replacement motor vehicle. If it is determined by the court that the party that appealed acted without good cause in bringing the appeal or brought the appeal solely for the purpose of harassment, the court may triple, but at least shall double, the amount of the total award.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.110 Arbitration fee

New motor vehicle arbitration account; Report by attorney general.

A three-dollar arbitration fee shall be collected by either the new motor vehicle dealer or vehicle lessor from the consumer upon execution of a retail sale or lease agreement. The fee shall be forwarded to the department of licensing at the time of title application for deposit in the new motor vehicle arbitration account hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account shall be used for the purposes of this chapter, subject to appropriation. During the 1995-97 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer moneys from the account to the extent that the moneys are not necessary for the purposes of this chapter.

At the end of each fiscal year, the attorney general shall prepare a report listing the annual revenue generated and the expenses incurred in implementing and operating the arbitration program under this chapter.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.120 Application of consumer protection act.

A violation of this chapter shall constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice affecting the public interest under chapter 19.86 RCW. All public and private remedies provided under that chapter shall be available to enforce this chapter.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.130 Waivers, limitations, disclaimers; Void.

Any agreement entered into by a consumer for the purchase of a new motor vehicle that waives, limits, or disclaims the rights set forth in RCW 19.118.021 through 19.118.140 shall be void as contrary to public policy. Said rights shall extend to a subsequent transferee of such new motor vehicle.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.140 Other rights and remedies not precluded.

Nothing in this chapter limits the consumer from pursuing other rights or remedies under any other law.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.150 Informal dispute resolution settlement procedure.

If a manufacturer has established an informal dispute resolution settlement procedure which substantially complies with the applicable provision of Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations Part 703, as from time to time amended, a consumer may choose to first submit a dispute under this chapter to the informal dispute resolution settlement procedure.

Washington Lemon Law RCW 19.118.170 History of vehicle.

Availability to owner.

Notwithstanding RCW 46.12.380, the department of licensing shall make available to the registered owner all title history information regarding the vehicle upon request of the registered owner and receipt of a statement that he or she is investigating or pursuing rights under this chapter.

Wyoming State Statutes

Title 40, Chapter 17, Section 101
Motor Vehicles

Express warranties; duty to make warranty repairs.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) “Consumer” means any person:

(A) Who purchases a motor vehicle, other than for purposes [purpose] of resale, to which an express warranty applies; or

(B) To whom a motor vehicle is transferred during the term of an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle; or

(C) Entitled by the terms of an express warranty applicable to a motor vehicle to enforce it.

(ii) “Motor vehicle” means every vehicle under ten thousand (10,000) pounds unladen weight, sold or registered in the state, which is self-propelled except vehicles moved solely by human power;

(iii) “Reasonable allowance for consumer’s use” means an amount directly attributable to use of the motor vehicle prior to the first report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent or dealer and during any subsequent period when the motor vehicle is not out of service due to repair;

(iv) “Manufacturers’ express warranty or warranty” means the written warranty, so labeled, of the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under warranty.

(b) If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer within one (1) year following the original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer shall make repairs necessary to conform the vehicle to the express warranties. The necessary repairs shall be made even if the one (1) year period has expired.

(c) If the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers are unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use and fair market value of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall:

(i) Replace the motor vehicle with a new or comparable motor vehicle of the same type and similarly equipped; or

(ii) Accept return of the motor vehicle and refund to the consumer and any lien holder as their interest may appear the full purchase price including all collateral charges less a reasonable allowance for consumer’s use.

(d) It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to express warranty if within one (1) year following the original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever is later:

(i) The same nonconformity has been subject to repair more than three (3) times by the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealers and the same nonconformity continues to exist; or

(ii) The vehicle is out of service due to repair for a cumulative total of thirty (30) business days.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the rights or remedies of a consumer under any other statute.

(f) Subsection (c) of this section does not apply to any consumer who has failed to exhaust his remedies under a manufacturer’s informal dispute settlement procedure if a procedure exists and is in compliance with applicable federal statute and regulation.

(g) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this section that:

(i) An alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use and fair market value of the motor vehicle; or

(ii) A nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification or alteration of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

(h) In no event shall the presumption herein provided in subsection (d) of this section apply against a manufacturer unless the manufacturer has received prior direct written notification from or on behalf of the consumer and has had a reasonable opportunity to cure the alleged defect.

(j) Any consumer injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action to enforce this section and may recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer who issued the express warranty.

Chapter 218, Subchapter I
Motor Vehicle Dealers
Repair, Replacement and Refund

Under new motor vehicle warranties.

(1) In this section:

(a) “Collateral costs” means expenses incurred by a consumer in connection with the repair of a nonconformity, including the costs of obtaining alternative transportation.

(b) “Consumer” means any of the following:

1. The purchaser of a new motor vehicle, if the motor vehicle was purchased from a motor vehicle dealer for purposes other than resale.

2. A person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred for purposes other than resale, if the transfer occurs before the expiration of an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle.

3. A person who may enforce the warranty.

4. A person who leases a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle lessor under a written lease.

(bd) “Demonstrator” means used primarily for the purpose of demonstration to the public.

(bg) “Early termination cost” means any expense or obligation a motor vehicle lessor incurs as a result of both the termination of a written lease before the termination date set forth in that lease and the return of a motor vehicle to a manufacturer under sub. (2)(b)3. “Early termination cost” includes a penalty for prepayment under a finance arrangement.

(bj) “Early termination savings” means any expense or obligation a motor vehicle lessor avoids as a result of both the termination of a written lease before the termination date set forth in that lease and the return of a motor vehicle to a manufacturer under sub. (2)(b)3. “Early termination savings” includes an interest charge the motor vehicle lessor would have paid to finance the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle lessor does not finance the motor vehicle, the difference between the total amount for which the lease obligates the consumer during the period of the lease term remaining after the early termination and the present value of that amount at the date of the early termination.

(bp) “Executive” means used primarily by an executive of a licensed manufacturer, distributor or dealer, and not used for demonstration to the public.

(c) “Manufacturer” means a manufacturer as defined in s. 218.01(1)(L) and agents of the manufacturer, including an importer, a distributor, factory branch, distributor branch and any warrantors of the manufacturer’s motor vehicles, but not including a motor vehicle dealer.

(d) “Motor vehicle” means any motor driven vehicle required to be registered under ch. 341 or exempt from registration under s. 341.05(2), including a demonstrator or executive vehicle not titled or titled by a manufacturer or a motor vehicle dealer, which a consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in this state. “Motor vehicle” does not mean a moped, semi-trailer or trailer designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor.

(e) “Motor vehicle dealer” has the meaning given under s. 218.01(1)(n).

(em) “Motor vehicle lessor” means a person who holds title to a motor vehicle leased to a lessee, or who holds the lessor’s rights, under a written lease.

(f) “Nonconformity” means a condition or defect which substantially impairs the use, value or safety of a motor vehicle, and is covered by an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle or to a component of the motor vehicle, but does not include a condition or defect which is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification or alteration of the motor vehicle by a consumer.

(h) “Reasonable attempt to repair” means any of the following occurring within the term of an express warranty applicable to a new motor vehicle or within one year after first delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is sooner:

1. The same nonconformity with the warranty is subject to repair by the manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor or any of the manufacturer’s authorized motor vehicle dealers at least 4 times and the nonconformity continues.

2. The motor vehicle is out of service for an aggregate of at least 30 days because of warranty nonconformities.

(2)

(a) If a new motor vehicle does not conform to an applicable express warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, the motor vehicle lessor or any of the manufacturer’s authorized motor vehicle dealers and makes the motor vehicle available for repair before the expiration of the warranty or one year after first delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is sooner, the nonconformity shall be repaired.

(b)

1. If after a reasonable attempt to repair the nonconformity is not repaired, the manufacturer shall carry out the requirement under subd. 2. or 3., whichever is appropriate.

2. At the direction of a consumer described under sub. (1)(b)1., 2. or 3., do one of the following:

a. Accept return of the motor vehicle and replace the motor vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle and refund any collateral costs.

b. Accept return of the motor vehicle and refund to the consumer and to any holder of a perfected security interest in the consumer’s motor vehicle, as their interest may appear, the full purchase price plus any sales tax, finance charge, amount paid by the consumer at the point of sale and collateral costs, less a reasonable allowance for use. Under this subdivision, a reasonable allowance for use may not exceed the amount obtained by multiplying the full purchase price of the motor vehicle by a fraction, the denominator of which is 100,000 or, for a motorcycle, 20,000, and the numerator of which is the number of miles the motor vehicle was driven before the consumer first reported the nonconformity to the motor vehicle dealer.

3.

a. With respect to a consumer described in sub. (1)(b)4., accept return of the motor vehicle, refund to the motor vehicle lessor and to any holder of a perfected security interest in the motor vehicle, as their interest may appear, the current value of the written lease and refund to the consumer the amount the consumer paid under the written lease plus any sales tax and collateral costs, less a reasonable allowance for use.

b. Under this subdivision, the current value of the written lease equals the total amount for which that lease obligates the consumer during the period of the lease remaining after its early termination, plus the motor vehicle dealer’s early termination costs and the value of the motor vehicle at the lease expiration date if the lease sets forth that value, less the motor vehicle lessor’s early termination savings.

c. Under this subdivision, a reasonable allowance for use may not exceed the amount obtained by multiplying the total amount for which the written lease obligates the consumer by a fraction, the denominator of which is 100,000 and the numerator of which is the number of miles the consumer drove the motor vehicle before first reporting the nonconformity to the manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor or motor vehicle dealer.

(c) To receive a comparable new motor vehicle or a refund due under par. (b) 1. or 2., a consumer described under sub. (1)(b)1., 2. or 3. shall offer to the manufacturer of the motor vehicle having the nonconformity to transfer title of that motor vehicle to that manufacturer. No later than 30 days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the consumer with the comparable new motor vehicle or refund. When the manufacturer provides the new motor vehicle or refund, the consumer shall return the motor vehicle having the nonconformity to the manufacturer and provide the manufacturer with the certificate of title and all endorsements necessary to transfer title to the manufacturer.

(cm)

1. To receive a refund due under par. (b)3., a consumer described under sub. (1)(b)4. shall offer to the manufacturer of the motor vehicle having the nonconformity to return that motor vehicle to that manufacturer. No later than 30 days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the refund to the consumer. When the manufacturer provides the refund, the consumer shall return the motor vehicle having the nonconformity to the manufacturer.

2. To receive a refund due under par. (b)3., a motor vehicle lessor shall offer to the manufacturer of the motor vehicle having the nonconformity to transfer title of that motor vehicle to that manufacturer. No later than 30 days after that offer, the manufacturer shall provide the refund to the motor vehicle lessor. When the manufacturer provides the refund, the motor vehicle lessor shall provide to the manufacturer the certificate of title and all endorsements necessary to transfer title to the manufacturer.

3. No person may enforce the lease against the consumer after the consumer receives a refund due under par. (b)3.

(d) No motor vehicle returned by a consumer or motor vehicle lessor in this state under par. (b), or by a consumer or motor vehicle lessor in another state under a similar law of that state, may be sold or leased again in this state unless full disclosure of the reasons for return is made to any prospective buyer or lessee.

(e) The department of revenue shall refund to the manufacturer any sales tax which the manufacturer refunded to the consumer under par. (b) if the manufacturer provides to the department of revenue a written request for a refund along with evidence that the sales tax was paid when the motor vehicle was purchased and that the manufacturer refunded the sales tax to the consumer. The department may not refund any sales tax under this paragraph if it has made a refund in connection with the same motor vehicle under par. (f).

(f) The department of revenue shall refund to a consumer described under sub. (1)(b)1., 2. or 3. all or part of the sales tax paid by the consumer on the purchase of a new motor vehicle, based on the amount of the refund of the purchase price of the motor vehicle actually received by the consumer, if all of the following apply:

1. The consumer returned the motor vehicle to its manufacturer and received a refund of all or part of the purchase price but not the corresponding amount of sales tax.

2. The consumer bought the new motor vehicle after November 2, 1983.

3. The consumer provides the department of revenue with a written request for a refund of the sales tax along with evidence that the consumer received a certain amount as a refund of the purchase price of the motor vehicle from the manufacturer, that the sales tax was paid when the motor vehicle was bought new and that the manufacturer did not refund the sales tax to the consumer.

4. The department of revenue has not made a refund under par. (e) in connection with the motor vehicle.

(3) If there is available to the consumer an informal dispute settlement procedure which is certified under sub. (4), the consumer may not bring an action under sub. (7) unless he or she first resorts to that procedure.

(4)

(a) The department of transportation shall adopt rules specifying the requirements with which each informal dispute settlement procedure shall comply. The rules shall require each person establishing an informal dispute settlement procedure to do all of the following:

1. Provide rights and procedures at least as favorable to the consumer as are required under 16 CFR Part 703, in effect on November 3, 1983.

2. If after a reasonable attempt to repair the nonconformity is not repaired, require the manufacturer to provide a remedy as set forth under sub. (2)(b).

(b) The department of transportation shall investigate each informal dispute settlement procedure provided in this state to determine whether it complies with the rules adopted under par. (a). The department shall certify each informal dispute settlement procedure which complies. The department may revoke certification if it determines that an informal dispute settlement procedure no longer complies with the rules promulgated under par. (a). Annually, the department shall publish a report evaluating the informal dispute settlement procedures provided in this state, stating whether those procedures are certified and stating the reasons for the failure of any procedure to obtain certification or for the revocation of any certification.

(c) Any person who establishes an informal dispute settlement procedure the certification of which is denied or revoked by the department of transportation may appeal that denial or revocation under ch. 227.

(d) Annually, any person who establishes an informal dispute settlement procedure shall file with the department of transportation a copy of the annual audit required under 16 CFR Part 703 or a substantially similar audit and any additional information the department requires in order to evaluate informal dispute settlement procedures.

(e) The department of transportation may consider whether a manufacturer obtains certification under this subsection in determining whether to issue a manufacturer’s license to do business in this state.

(5) This section does not limit rights or remedies available to a consumer under any other law.

(6) Any waiver by a consumer of rights under this section is void.

(7) In addition to pursuing any other remedy, a consumer may bring an action to recover for any damages caused by a violation of this section. The court shall award a consumer who prevails in such an action twice the amount of any pecuniary loss, together with costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees, and any equitable relief the court determines appropriate.

Chapter 46A, Article 6A
Consumer Protection
New Motor Vehicle Warranties

(1) The Legislature hereby finds and declares as a matter of public policy that the purpose of this article is to place upon the manufacturers of motor vehicles the duty to meet their obligations and responsibilities under the terms of the express warranties extended to the consumers in this state. The Legislature further finds as a matter of public policy that the manufacturer shall bear the total cost of performing any duty or responsibility imposed by their warranties and the provisions of this article.

(2) The Legislature further finds that any agreement under the provisions of article six-a, chapter seventeen-a of this code, or any agreement hereafter amended or entered into between a dealer and manufacturer which would transfer to the dealer any duty, or all or any part of the cost of performing any duty imposed on the manufacturer by the provisions of this article, or which would directly or indirectly charge the dealer for or reduce the payment or reimbursement due the dealer for performing work or furnishing parts required by this article to be provided by either the dealer or manufacturer, so as to shift to the dealer all or any part of the cost of the manufacturer’s compliance with this article, to be against public policy, void and unenforceable.

46A-6A-2 Definitions.

When used in this article, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them, except where the context indicates a different meaning:

(1) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a new motor vehicle purchased in this state, used primarily for personal, family or household purposes, a person to whom the new motor vehicle is transferred for the same purposes during the duration of an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle and any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty;

(2) “Manufacturer” means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling or distributing motor vehicles, who will, under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture, assemble or distribute to dealers at least ten new motor vehicles;

(3) “Manufacturer’s express warranty” and “warranty” mean the written warranty of the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle of its condition and fitness for use, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty; and

(4) “Motor vehicle” means any passenger automobile sold in this state, including pickup trucks and vans subject to registration as a Class A motor vehicle under the provisions of article ten, chapter seventeen-a of this code, and any self-propelled motor vehicle chassis of motor homes sold in this state subject to registration as and Class A or Class B motor vehicle under the provisions of article ten, chapter seventeen- a of this code.

46A-6A-3 Manufacturer’s duty to repair or replace new motor vehicles.

(a) If a new motor vehicle purchased in this state on or after the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred eighty-four, does not conform to all applicable express warranties and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer during the term of the express warranties or during the period of one year following the date of original delivery of the new motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the later date, the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer shall make the repairs necessary to conform the vehicle to the express warranties, notwithstanding the fact that the repairs are made after the expiration of the warranty term.

(b) If the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealer are unable to conform the new motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use or market value of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall, replace the new motor vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle which does conform to the warranties.

46A-6A-3a Dealer’s duty to disclose repairs to consumer.

Beginning the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine, all authorized dealers of new motor vehicles purchased in this state shall provide to any consumer a written disclosure of any repairs to a new motor vehicle which repairs have a retail value of five hundred dollars or more and were performed after shipment from the manufacturer to the dealer, including damage to the new motor vehicle while in transit.

This disclosure requirement does not apply to identical replacement of stolen or damaged accessories or their components, tires or antennae.

For purposes of this section, a motor vehicle is not a new motor vehicle when it has been previously titled or the motor vehicle has been damaged in such a manner that, were the damage not repaired, the value and usability of the motor vehicle would be substantially impaired.

46A-6A-4 Civil action by consumer.

(a) If the nonconformity results in substantial impairment to the use or market value of the new motor vehicle and the manufacturer has not replaced the new motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of section three of this article, or if the nonconformity exists after a reasonable number of attempts to conform the new motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, the consumer shall have a cause of action against the manufacturer, in the circuit court of any county having venue.

(b) In any action under this section, the consumer may be awarded all or any portion of the following:

(1) Revocation of acceptance and refund of the purchase price, including, but not limited to, sales tax, license and registration fees, and other reasonable expenses incurred for the purchase of the new motor vehicle, or if there be no such revocation of acceptance, damages for diminished value of the motor vehicle;

(2) Damages for the cost of repairs reasonably required to conform the motor vehicle to the express warranty;

(3) Damages for the loss of use, annoyance or inconvenience resulting from the nonconformity, including, but not limited to, reasonable expenses incurred for replacement transportation during any period when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of the nonconformity or by reason of repair; and

(4) Reasonable attorney fees.

(c) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this section

(i) that an alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use or market value or

(ii) that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer.

(d) An action brought under this section by the consumer must be commenced within one year of the expiration of the express warranty term.

(e) The cause of action provided for in this section shall be available only against the manufacturer.

46A-6A-5 Presumption of reasonable number of attempts.

Extension of warranty term when repair services unavailable.

(a) It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, if the same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealers within the express warranty term or during the period of one year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever is the earlier date, and the nonconformity continues to exist, or the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty or more calendar days during the term or during the one-year period, whichever is the earlier date.

(b) If the nonconformity results in a condition which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, it is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform the vehicle to the applicable express warranties if the nonconformity has been subject to repair at least once by the manufacturer within the express warranty term or during the period of one year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the earlier date, and the nonconformity continues to exist.

(c) The presumption that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties applies against a manufacturer only if the manufacturer has received prior written notification from or on behalf of the consumer and has had at least one opportunity to cure the defect alleged.

(d) The term of an express warranty, the one-year period and the thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion, strike or fire, flood or other natural disaster.

46A-6A-6 Written statement to be provided to consumer.

At the time of purchase the manufacturer, either directly or through its agent or its authorized dealer, must provide the consumer a written statement on a separate piece of paper, in ten point all capital type, in substantially the following form:

“IMPORTANT: IF THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED UNDER STATE LAW TO REPLACEMENT OR TO COMPENSATION. HOWEVER, TO BE ENTITLED TO REPLACEMENT OR TO COMPENSATION, YOU MUST FIRST NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PROBLEM IN WRITING AND PROVIDE THE MANUFACTURER AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.”

46A-6A-7 Resale of returned motor vehicle.

If a new motor vehicle has been returned under section three of this article or a similar statute of another state, it may not be resold in this state unless the manufacturer corrects the nonconformity and provides the consumer with a written statement on a separate piece of paper in ten point all capital type, in substantially the following form:

“IMPORTANT: THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONFORM TO THE MANUFACTURER’S EXPRESS WARRANTY AND THE NONCONFORMITY WAS NOT CURED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AS PROVIDED BY WEST VIRGINIA LAW.”

Provided, That no manufacturer shall require by agreement or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, that any of its authorized dealers in this state accept such a motor vehicle for resale.

46A-6A-8 Third party dispute resolution process.

Attorney general to promulgate rules and regulations.

(a) The attorney general of the state of West Virginia shall promulgate rules and regulations for the establishment and qualification of a third party dispute mechanism or mechanisms for the resolution of warranty disputes between the consumer and the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer. Such mechanisms shall be under the supervision of the division of consumer protection in the office of the attorney general, and shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the informal dispute settlement mechanism as provided by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act (Public Law 93-637) and rules and regulations lawfully promulgated there under effective the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred eighty-four.

(b) If a qualified third party dispute resolution process exists and the consumer receives timely notification in writing of the availability of the third party process with a description of its operation and effect, the cause of action under section four of this article may not be asserted by the consumer until after the consumer has initially resorted to the third party process. Notification of the availability of the third party process must be timely to the consumer. If a qualified third party dispute resolution process does not exist, or if the consumer is dissatisfied with the third party decision, or if the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer fails to promptly fulfill the terms of the third party decision, the consumer may assert a cause of action under section four of this article.

(c) Any period of limitation of actions under any federal or West Virginia laws with respect to any consumer shall be tolled for the period between the date a complaint is filed with a third party dispute resolution process and the date of its decision or the date before which the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer is required by the decision to fulfill its terms, whichever occurs later.

46A-6A-9 Other remedies available.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit any right or remedy which is otherwise available to a consumer or authorized dealer of a manufacturer under any other law.

Title 59.1, Chapter 17.3
Trade And Commerce
Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act

This chapter may be cited as the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act.

59.1-207.10 Intent.

The General Assembly recognizes that a motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase, and there is no doubt that a defective motor vehicle creates a hardship for the consumer. It is the intent of the General Assembly that a good faith motor vehicle warranty complaint by a consumer should be resolved by the manufacturer, or its agent, within a specified period of time. It is further the intent of the General Assembly to provide the statutory procedures whereby a consumer may receive a replacement motor vehicle, or a full refund, for a motor vehicle which cannot be brought into conformity with the express warranty issued by the manufacturer. However, nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

59.1-207.11 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Collateral charges” means any sales-related or lease-related charges including but not limited to sales tax, license fees, registration fees, title fees, finance charges and interest, transportation charges, dealer preparation charges or any other charges for service contracts, undercoating, rust proofing or installed options, not recoverable from a third party. If a refund involves a lease, “collateral charges” means, in addition to any of the above, capitalized cost reductions, credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicles, fees to another to obtain the lease, and insurance or other costs expended by the lessor for the benefit of the lessee.

“Comparable motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of purchase or lease with an offset from this value for a reasonable allowance for its use.

“Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee, of a motor vehicle used in substantial part for personal, family, or household purposes, and any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred for the same purposes during the duration of any warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.

“Incidental damages” shall have the same meaning as provided in 8.2-715.

“Lemon law rights period” means the period ending eighteen months after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of a new motor vehicle. This shall be the period during which the consumer can report any nonconformity to the manufacturer and pursue any rights provided for under this chapter.

“Lien” means a security interest in a motor vehicle.

“lien holder” means a person, partnership, association, corporation or entity with a security interest in a motor vehicle pursuant to a lien.

“Manufacturer” means a person, partnership, association, corporation or entity engaged in the business of manufacturing or assembling motor vehicles, or of distributing motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers.

“Manufacturer’s express warranty” means the written warranty, so labeled, of the manufacturer of a new automobile, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty.

“Motor vehicle” means only passenger cars, pickup or panel trucks, motorcycles, self-propelled motorized chassis of motor homes and mopeds as those terms are defined in 46.2-100 and demonstrators or leased vehicles with which a warranty was issued.

“Motor vehicle dealer” shall have the same meaning as provided in 46.2-1500.

“Nonconformity” means a failure to conform with a warranty, a defect or a condition, including those that do not affect the drivability of the vehicle, which significantly impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle.

“Notify” or “notification” means that the manufacturer shall be deemed to have been notified under this chapter if a written complaint of the defect or defects has been mailed to it or it has responded to the consumer in writing regarding a complaint, or a factory representative has either inspected the vehicle or met with the consumer or an authorized dealer regarding the nonconformity.

“Reasonable allowance for use” shall not exceed one-half of the amount allowed per mile by the Internal Revenue Service, as provided by regulation, revenue procedure, or revenue ruling promulgated pursuant to 162 of the Internal Revenue Code, for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes, plus an amount to account for any loss to the fair market value of the vehicle resulting from damage beyond normal wear and tear, unless the damage resulted from nonconformity to any warranty.

“Serious safety defect” means a life-threatening malfunction or nonconformity that impedes the consumer’s ability to control or operate the new motor vehicle for ordinary use or reasonable intended purposes or creates a risk of fire or explosion.

“Significant impairment” means to render the new motor vehicle unfit, unreliable or unsafe for ordinary use or reasonable intended purposes.

“Warranty” means any implied warranty or any written warranty of the manufacturer, or any affirmations of fact or promise made by the manufacturer in connection with the sale or lease of a motor vehicle that become part of the basis of the bargain. The term “warranty” pertains to the obligations of the manufacturer in relation to materials, workmanship, and fitness of a motor vehicle for ordinary use or reasonable intended purposes throughout the duration of the lemon law rights period as defined under this section.

59.1-207.12 Conformity to all warranties.

If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all warranties, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agents, or its authorized dealer during the manufacturer’s warranty period, the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such warranties, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of such manufacturer’s warranty period.

59.1-207.13 Nonconformity of motor vehicles.

A. If the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers do not conform the motor vehicle to any applicable warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition, including those that do not affect the drivability of the vehicle, which significantly impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts during the lemon law rights period, the manufacturer shall:

1. Replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer, or

2. Accept return of the motor vehicle and refund to the consumer, lessor, and any lien holder as their interest may appear the full contract price, including all collateral charges, incidental damages, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer’s use of the vehicle up to the date of the first notice of nonconformity that is given to the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealer. Refunds or replacements shall be made to the consumer, lessor or lien holder, if any, as their interests may appear. The consumer shall have the unconditional right to choose a refund rather than a replacement vehicle and to drive the motor vehicle until he receives either the replacement vehicle or the refund. The subtraction of a reasonable allowance for use shall apply to either a replacement or refund of the motor vehicle. Mileage, expenses, and reasonable loss of use necessitated by attempts to conform such motor vehicle to the express warranty may be recovered by the consumer.

A1. In the case of a replacement of or refund for a leased vehicle, in addition to any other damages provided in this chapter, the motor vehicle shall be returned to the manufacturer and the consumer’s written lease shall be terminated by the lessor without penalty to the consumer. The lessor shall transfer title to the manufacturer as necessary to effectuate the consumer’s rights pursuant to this chapter, whether the consumer chooses vehicle replacement or a refund.

B. It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to any warranty and that the motor vehicle is significantly impaired if during the period of eighteen months following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer either:

1. The same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealers and the same nonconformity continues to exist;

2. The nonconformity is a serious safety defect and has been subject to repair one or more times by the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer and the same nonconformity continues to exist; or

3. The motor vehicle is out of service due to repair for a cumulative total of thirty calendar days, unless such repairs could not be performed because of conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers, including war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disasters.

C. The lemon law rights period shall be extended if the manufacturer has been notified but the nonconformity has not been effectively repaired by the manufacturer, or its agent, by the expiration of the lemon law rights period.

D. The manufacturer shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to the consumer, in the warranty or owner’s manual, that written notification of the nonconformity to the manufacturer is required before the consumer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle under this chapter. The manufacturer shall include with the warranty or owner’s manual the name and address to which the consumer shall send such written notification.

E. It shall be the responsibility of the consumer, or his representative, prior to availing himself of the provisions of this section, to notify the manufacturer of the need for the correction or repair of the nonconformity, unless the manufacturer has been notified as defined in 59.1-207.11. If the manufacturer or factory representative has not been notified of the conditions set forth in subsection B of this section and any of the conditions set forth in subsection B of this section already exists, the manufacturer shall be given an additional opportunity, not to exceed fifteen days, to correct or repair the nonconformity. If notification shall be mailed to an authorized dealer, the authorized dealer shall upon receipt forward such notification to the manufacturer.

F. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights and remedies of a consumer under any other law.

G. It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter that:

1. An alleged nonconformity does not significantly impair the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle; or

2. A nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification or alteration of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

59.1-207.14 Action to enforce provisions of chapter.

Any consumer who suffers loss by reason of a violation of any provision of this chapter may bring a civil action to enforce such provision. Any consumer who is successful in such an action or any defendant in any frivolous action brought by a consumer shall recover reasonable attorney’s fees, expert witness fees and court costs incurred by bringing such actions.

59.1-207.15 Informal dispute settlement procedure.

A. If a manufacturer provides an informal dispute settlement procedure, it shall be the consumer’s choice whether or not to use it prior to availing himself of his rights under this chapter.

B. If a dispute settlement procedure is resorted to by the consumer and the decision is for a refund or a comparable motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall have forty days from its receipt of the consumer’s acceptance of the decision or from the date of a court order to comply with the terms of the decision.

C. In any action brought because of the manufacturer’s failure to comply with the decision, within the scope of the procedure’s authority, rendered as a result of a dispute resolution proceeding or a court order, the court may triple the value of the award stipulated in the decision as provided for in this chapter, plus award other equitable relief the court deems appropriate, including additional attorney’s fees.

59.1-207.16 Action to be brought within certain time.

Any action brought under this chapter shall be commenced within the lemon law rights period following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer; however, any consumer whose good faith attempts to settle the dispute have not resulted in the satisfactory correction or repair of the nonconformity, replacement of the motor vehicle or refund to the consumer of the amount described in subdivision 2 of subsection A of 59.1-207.13, shall have twelve months from the date of the final action taken by the manufacturer in its dispute settlement procedure or within the lemon law rights period, whichever is longer, to file an action in the proper court, provided the consumer has rejected the manufacturer’s final action.

59.1-207.16:1 Disclosure of returned vehicles; penalty.

A. If a motor vehicle that is returned to the manufacturer or distributor either under this chapter or by judgment, decree, or arbitration award in this or any other state and is then transferred by a manufacturer or distributor to a dealer, licensed under Chapter 15 (46.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 46.2, in Virginia, the manufacturer or distributor shall disclose this information to the Virginia dealer.

B. If the returned vehicle is then made available for resale or for another lease, the manufacturer shall, prior to sale or lease, disclose in writing in a clear and conspicuous manner, on a separate piece of paper in ten-point capital type, to the Virginia dealer that this motor vehicle was returned to the manufacturer, distributor or factory branch, the nature of the defect which resulted in the return, and the condition of the motor vehicle at the time of transfer to the Virginia dealer. It shall be the responsibility of the dealer that receives this disclosure to give notice of its contents to any prospective purchaser or lessee prior to sale or lease, and to transfer the disclosure, or a copy thereof, to the next purchaser or lessee. A dealer’s responsibility under this section shall cease upon the sale or lease of the affected motor vehicle to the first purchaser or lessee not for resale or lease.

C. Any manufacturer or distributor who violates this section of the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Vermont State Statutes

Title 9, Chapter 115, Sections 4170 – 4181
Commerce and Trade
New Motor Vehicle Arbitration

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Board” means, unless otherwise indicated, the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board.

(2) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale of a new motor vehicle or lessee of a new motor vehicle, other than for the purposes of sub-lease, which has not been previously leased by another person, any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty, but “consumer” shall not include any governmental entity or any business or commercial enterprise which registers or leases three or more motor vehicles.

(3) “Early termination costs” mean expenses and obligations incurred by a motor vehicle lessee as a result of an early termination of a written lease agreement and surrender of a motor vehicle to a manufacturer under the provisions of 9 V.S.A. 4172(e), including penalties for prepayment of finance arrangements.

(4) “Lease or leased” means a written agreement with a lessee as defined in subdivision (5) of this section, which shall be for the use of a motor vehicle for consideration for a term of two or more years.

(5) “Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a written lease agreement for a term of two or more years.

(6) “Motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is purchased or leased, or registered in the state of Vermont and is registered in Vermont within 15 days of the date of purchase or lease and shall not include tractors, motorized highway building equipment, road-making appliances, snowmobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, or the living portion of recreation vehicles, or trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds.

(7) “Manufacturer” means any person, resident or nonresident, who manufactures or assembles new motor vehicles or imports for distribution through distributors of motor vehicles or any partnership, firm, association, joint venture, corporation or trust, resident or nonresident, which is controlled by a manufacturer. Additionally, the term “manufacturer” shall include:

(A) “distributor,” meaning any person, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part offers for sale , sells, or distributes any new motor vehicle to new motor vehicle dealers or new motor vehicle lessor’s or maintains factory representatives or who controls any person, firm, association, corporation, or trust, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part offers for sale, sells or distributes any new motor vehicle to new motor vehicle dealers or new motor vehicle lessor’s; and

(B) “factory branch” meaning any branch office maintained by a manufacturer for the purpose of selling, leasing, offering for sale or lease, vehicles to a distributor or new motor vehicle dealer or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, factory distributor representatives.

(8) “Motor vehicle lessor” means a person who holds title to a motor vehicle leased to a lessee under a written lease agreement for a term of two or more years, or who holds the lessor’s rights under such an agreement.

(9) A “new motor vehicle” means a passenger motor vehicle which has been sold to a new motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle lessor by a manufacturer and which has not been used for other than demonstration purposes and on which the original title has not been issued from the new motor vehicle dealer other than to a motor vehicle lessor.

(10) Warranty shall be defined as including the following:

“Express warranty” means express warranties as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code2-313, plus any written warranty of the manufacturer.

4172 Enforcement Of Warranties.

(a) Every new motor vehicle as defined in section 4171 of this title sold in this state must conform to all applicable warranties.

(b) It shall be the manufacturer’s obligation under this chapter to insure that all new motor vehicles sold or leased in this state conform with manufacturer’s express warranties. The manufacturer may delegate responsibility to its agents or authorized dealers provided, however, in the event the manufacturer delegates its responsibility under this chapter to its agents or authorized dealers, it shall compensate the dealer for all work performed by the dealer in satisfaction of the manufacturer’s responsibility under this chapter in the manner set forth in chapter 108 of this title known as the “Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers’ Franchising Practices Act” as that act may be from time to time amended.

(c) If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer during the term of the warranty, the manufacturer shall cause whatever repairs are necessary to conform the vehicle to the warranties, notwithstanding the fact that the repairs are made after the expiration of a warranty term.

(d) A manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer shall not refuse to provide a consumer with a written repair order and shall provide to the consumer each time the consumer’s vehicle is brought in for examination or repair of a defect, a written summary of the complaint and a fully itemized statement indicating all work performed on the vehicle including, but not limited to, examination of the vehicle, parts and labor.

(e) If, after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer or its delegate is unable to conform the motor vehicle to any express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition covered by the warranty which substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle to the consumer, the manufacturer shall, at the option of the consumer within 30 days of the effective date of the board’s order, replace the motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle from the same manufacturer, if available, of comparable worth to the same make and model with all options and accessories with appropriate adjustments being allowed for any model year differences or shall accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price or to the lessee in the case of leased vehicles, as provided in subsection (i) of this section. In those instances in which a refund is tendered, the manufacturer shall refund to the consumer the full purchase price as indicated in the purchase contract and all credits and allowances for any trade-in or down payment, license fees, finance charges, credit charges, registration fees and any similar charges and incidental and consequential damages or in the case of leased vehicles, as provided in subsection (i) of this section. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lien holder, if any, as their interests may appear or to the motor vehicle lessor and lessee as provided in subsection (i) of this section. A reasonable allowance for use shall be that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer prior to his or her first repair attempt and shall be calculated by multiplying the full purchase price of the vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator 100,000 and having as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled prior to the first attempt at repairing the vehicle. If the manufacturer refunds the purchase price or a portion of the price to the consumer, the purchase and use tax shall be refunded by the state to the consumer in the proportionate amount. To receive a refund, the consumer must file a claim with the commissioner of motor vehicles.

(f) It shall be an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter that an alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, market value or safety or that the nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

(g) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable warranties if:

(1) the same nonconformity as identified in any written examination or repair order has been subject to repair at least three times by the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer and at least the first repair attempt occurs within the express warranty term and the same nonconformity continues to exist, or

(2) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities, defects or conditions for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days during the term of the express warranty. The term of any warranty and the 30-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services were not available to the consumer because of war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster. If an extension of time is necessitated due to these conditions, the manufacturer shall cause provision for the free use of a vehicle to the consumer whose vehicle is out of service. A vehicle shall not be deemed out of service if it is available to the consumer for a major part of the day.

(h) In order for an attempt at repair to qualify for the presumptions of this section, the attempt at repair must be evidenced by a written examination or repair order issued by the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer. The presumptions of this section shall only apply to three attempts at repair evidenced by written examination or repair orders undertaken by the same agent or authorized dealer, unless the consumer shows good cause for taking the vehicle to a different agent or authorized dealer.

(i) In cases in which a refund is tendered by a manufacturer for a leased motor vehicle under subsection (e) of this section, the refund and rights of the motor vehicle lessor, lessee and manufacturer shall be in accordance with the following:

(1) The manufacturer shall provide to the lessee, the aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid to the motor vehicle lessor by the lessee, and incidental and consequential damages, if applicable, minus a reasonable allowance for use and allocated payments for purchase and use tax. The aggregate deposit shall include, but not be limited to, all cash payments and trade-in allowances tendered by the lessee to the motor vehicle lessor under the lease agreement. The reasonable allowance for use shall be calculated by multiplying the aggregate deposit and rental payments made by the lessee on the motor vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator 100,000 and having as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled prior to the first attempt at repairing the vehicle.

(2) The manufacturer shall provide to the motor vehicle lessor the aggregate of the following:

(A) the lessor’s actual purchase cost, less payments made by the lessee;

(B) the freight cost, if applicable;

(C) the cost for dealer or manufacturer-installed accessories, if applicable;

(D) any fee paid to another to obtain the lease;

(E) an amount equal to five percent of the lessor’s actual purchase cost as prescribed in subdivision (2)(A) of this section. The amount in this subdivision shall be instead of any early termination costs as defined in 4171(3) of this chapter or as described in the lease agreement.

(3) The purchase and use tax shall be refunded by the state to whomever paid the tax. The party must file a claim with the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles.

(4) The lessee’s lease agreement with the motor vehicle lessor and all contractual obligations shall be terminated upon a decision of the board in favor of the lessee. The lessee shall not be liable for any further costs or charges to the manufacturer or motor vehicle lessor under the lease agreement.

(5) The motor vehicle lessor shall release the motor vehicle title to the manufacturer upon payment by the manufacturer under the provisions of this subsection.

(6) The board shall give notice to the motor vehicle lessor of the lessee’s filing of a request for arbitration under this chapter and shall notify the motor vehicle lessor of the date, time and place scheduled for a hearing before the board. The motor vehicle lessor shall provide testimony and evidence necessary to the arbitration proceedings. Any decision of the board shall be binding upon the motor vehicle lessor.

4173 Procedure To Obtain Refund Or Replacement.

(a) After the third attempt at repair or correction of the nonconformity, defect or condition, or after the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities, defects or conditions for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days as provided in this chapter, the consumer shall notify the manufacturer and lessor in writing, on forms to be provided by the manufacturer at the time the new motor vehicle is delivered, of the nonconformity, defect or condition and the consumer’s election to proceed under this chapter. The forms shall be made available by the manufacturer to the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board, and any other public or nonprofit agencies that shall request them. Notice of consumer rights under this chapter shall be conspicuously displayed by all authorized dealers and agents of the manufacturer. The consumer shall in the notice, elect whether to use the dispute settlement mechanism and/or the arbitration provisions established by the manufacturer or to proceed under the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board as established under this chapter. The consumer’s election of whether to proceed before the board or the manufacturer’s mechanism shall preclude his or her recourse to the method not selected.

(b) A consumer cannot pursue a remedy under this chapter if he or she has discontinued financing or lease payments if the payments have been discontinued due to the manufacturer’s breach of obligation under this chapter or of a breach of the manufacturer’s warranties.

(c) Arbitration of the consumer’s complaint, either through the manufacturer’s dispute settlement mechanism or the board, must be held within 45 days of receipt by the manufacturer or the board and the manufacturer of the consumer’s notice electing the remedy of arbitration unless the consumer or the manufacturer has good cause for an extension of time, not to exceed an additional 30-day period. If the extension of time is requested by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall provide free use of a vehicle to the consumer if the consumer’s vehicle is out of service. In the event the consumer elects to proceed in accordance with the manufacturer’s dispute settlement mechanism and the arbitration of the dispute is not held within 45 days of the manufacturer’s receipt of the consumer’s notice and the manufacturer is not able to establish good cause for the delay, the consumer shall be entitled to receive the relief requested under this chapter.

(d) Within the 45-day period set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the manufacturer shall have one final opportunity to correct and repair the defect which the consumer claims entitles him or her to a refund or replacement vehicle. If the consumer is satisfied with the corrective work done by the manufacturer or his delegate, the arbitration proceedings shall be terminated without prejudice to the consumer’s right to request arbitration be recommenced if the repair proves unsatisfactory for the duration of the express warranty.

(e) The manufacturer shall refund the amounts provided for in section 4172(e) or (i) of this chapter within 30 days of a decision of the board or within 15 days of final adjudication.

4174 Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.

(a) There is created a Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board consisting of five members and two alternate members to be appointed by the governor for terms of three years. Board members may be appointed for two additional three-year terms. One member of the board shall be a new car dealer in Vermont, one member and one alternate shall be persons knowledgeable in automobile mechanics, and three members and one alternate shall be persons having no direct involvement in the design, manufacture, distribution, sales or service of motor vehicles or their parts. Board members shall be compensated in accordance with the provisions of 32 V.S.A. 1010. The board shall be attached to the transportation board and shall receive administrative services from the transportation board.

(b) The board shall promulgate rules under the provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(c) The board may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify under oath and to produce documents.

(d) The board shall render a decision within 30 days of the conclusion of a hearing and has authority to issue any and all damages as are provided by this chapter.

4175 Fees And Costs.

There shall be no filing fee or costs assessed against the consumer for using the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board or the manufacturer’s dispute settlement mechanism. In the event an authorized franchise dealer or any of its employees including mechanics or service personnel are called upon to testify or produce documents, repair orders or other materials in any arbitration held before the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board or the manufacturer’s dispute settlement mechanism, the person who requests the participation of the authorized franchise dealer or requests the production of documents must make arrangements in advance to reasonably compensate the dealer for the actual expense involved. Where a conflict arises as to actual expenses, the board shall make that determination. In the event the consumer prevails, these costs shall be reimbursed to the consumer by the manufacturer.

4176 Appeal From Board.

(a) The decision of the board shall be final and shall not be modified or vacated unless, on appeal to the superior court a party to the arbitration proceeding proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that:

(1) the award was procured by corruption, fraud or other undue means;

(2) there was evident partiality by the board or corruption or misconduct prejudicing the rights of any party by the board;

(3) the board exceeded its powers;

(4) the board refused to postpone a hearing after being shown sufficient cause to do so or refused to hear evidence material to the controversy or otherwise conducted the hearing contrary to the rules promulgated by the board so as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party.

An application to vacate or modify an award shall be made within 30 days after delivery of a copy of the award to the applicant except that if predicated upon corruption, fraud or other undue means, it may be made within 30 days after such grounds are known or should have been known. In the event an award is confirmed, the party who prevails shall be awarded the attorney’s fees incurred in obtaining confirmation of the award together with all costs.

(b) When a judgment of the superior court affirms an award of the board, permission of the presiding judge shall be required for review. Review may be conditioned upon the appellant paying appellee’s appellate attorney’s fees (sic), giving security for costs, expenses and financial loss resulting from the passage of time for review.

4177 Unfair And Deceptive Acts And Practices.

Failure of the manufacturer, its agents, authorized dealers, or motor vehicle lessor’s to comply with a decision of the board shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice under 9 V.S.A. chapter 63.

4178 Limitations.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as imposing any liability on a manufacturer’s authorized dealers or creating a cause of action by a manufacturer against its authorized agents or dealers. It shall be a violation of 9 V.S.A. chapter 108 for a manufacturer to engage in reprisals or threats of reprisals, directly or indirectly, against any authorized dealer arising out of the dealer’s efforts to repair a motor vehicle under the provisions of this chapter.

4179 Effective Date; Limitations.

(a) This chapter shall apply to motor vehicles beginning with the model year following July 1, 1984. Any proceedings initiated under this chapter shall be commenced within one year following:

(1) the expiration of the express warranty term; or

(2) one year following the manufacturer’s last attempt at repair of the nonconformity which gives rise to the consumer’s request that the vehicle be replaced or the money refunded, whichever comes later.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

4180 Notification To Consumers.

The manufacturer of every motor vehicle sold in this state beginning with the model year following July 1, 1984 shall provide a clear and conspicuous written notice of the consumer’s rights under this chapter and at the time of the delivery of every new motor vehicle in this state beginning with the model year following July 1, 1984 shall provide the consumer with a stamped self-addressed notice in a form satisfactory to the Vermont motor vehicle arbitration board sufficient to notify the manufacturer of the consumer’s election to proceed under this chapter. The manufacturer shall not delegate this responsibility to its authorized dealers. The manufacturer of every new motor vehicle sold in this state beginning with the effective date of this chapter shall also provide a clear and conspicuous notice that informs consumers of their rights under this chapter.

4181 Sale Of Defective Motor Vehicles.

Any manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer who attempts to resell a motor vehicle after final determination, adjudication or settlement, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or after final determination, adjudication or settlement under similar laws of any other state shall apprise prospective buyers in Vermont by means of a clearly visible window sticker and such manufacturers are prohibited from reselling in Vermont any vehicle determined or adjudicated as having a serious safety defect. Notice that a vehicle has been returned pursuant to such law shall also be conspicuously printed on the motor vehicle certificate of title.

Utah State Statutes

Title 13, Chapter 20
New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act

This chapter is known as the “New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act.”

13-20-2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Consumer” means an individual who has entered into an agreement or contract for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a new motor vehicle other than for purposes of resale, or sublease, during the duration of the period defined under Section 13-20-5.

(2) “Manufacturer” means manufacturer, importer, distributor, or anyone who is named as the warrantor on an express written warranty on a motor vehicle.

(3) “Motor home” means a self-propelled vehicular unit, primarily designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational, and vacation use.

(4)

(a) “Motor vehicle” includes:

(i) a motor home, as defined in this section, but only the self-propelled vehicle and chassis sold in this state; and

(ii) a motor vehicle, as defined in Section 41-1a-102, sold in this state.

(b) “Motor vehicle” does not include:

(i) those portions of a motor home designated, used, or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or commercial space;

(ii) farm tractor, motorcycle, road tractor, or truck tractor as defined in Section 41-1a-102;

(iii) mobile home as defined in Section 41-1a-102; or

(iv) any motor vehicle with a gross laden weight of over 12,000 pounds, except a motor home as defined under Subsection (3).

13-20-3 Nonconforming motor vehicles.

Repairs.

If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer during the term of the express warranties or during the one-year period following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer shall make repairs necessary to conform the vehicle to the express warranties, whether or not these repairs are made after the expiration of the warranty term or the one-year period.

13-20-4 Nonconforming motor vehicles.

Replacement; Refund; Criteria; Defenses.

(1) If the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer is unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall replace the motor vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer’s use of the vehicle. Refunds shall be made to the consumer, and any lien holder’s or lessor’s as their interests may appear.

(2) A reasonable allowance for use is that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer prior to his first report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer, and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service because of repair.

(3) Upon receipt of any refund or replacement under Subsection (1), the consumer, lien holder, or lessor shall furnish to the manufacturer clear title to and possession of the motor vehicle.

(4) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter:

(a) that an alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the consumer’s use of the motor vehicle and does not substantially impair the market value or safety of the motor vehicle; or

(b) that an alleged nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

13-20-5 Reasonable number of attempts to conform.

(1) It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, if:

(a) the same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times by the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer within the express warranty term or during the one-year period following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is earlier, but the nonconformity continues to exist; or

(b) the vehicle is out of service to the consumer because of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more business days during the warranty term or during the one-year period, whichever is earlier.

(2) The term of an express warranty, the one-year period, and the 30-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion, strike, fire, flood, or other natural disaster.

13-20-6 Enforcement.

Limited liability of dealer; No limit on other rights or remedies.

(1) The Division of Consumer Protection shall, or a consumer may, enforce the rights created under this chapter. An action may be commenced by a consumer only after the claim has been investigated and evaluated by the division.

(2) This chapter may not be interpreted as imposing any liability on an authorized dealer or creating a cause of action by a consumer against a dealer under this chapter, except regarding any written express warranties made by the dealer apart from the manufacturer’s own warranties.

(3) This chapter does not limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

(4) In an action initiated under this section by the consumer, the court may award attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.

13-20-7 Use of dispute settlement procedure.

If a manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure which complies with Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703, then Section 13-20-4 concerning refunds or replacement does not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to this procedure.