An automobile purchase is a big deal, usually the second-biggest investment an individual makes (after a house). But while cars require regular maintenance throughout their lives, a brand new car should not have major problems right after it rolls off the lot. Cars that fail to meet the terms of the warranty within a certain amount of time, despite repeated attempts to fix the problem, are called "lemons." State lemon laws , therefore, are meant to protect car buyers from being stuck with an inoperable or otherwise seriously problematic vehicle.
Washington, D.C. Lemon Laws at a Glance
Detailed information about D.C.'s lemon law is listed below. See FindLaw's Lemon Law section for additional articles.
| Code Section | 50-501, et seq. |
| Title of Act | Automobile Consumer Protection Act of 1984 |
| Definition of Defects | Nonconformity to all warranties which results in significant impairment of vehicle |
| Statutory Definition of "Reasonable Number of Attempts" |
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| Time Limit for Manufacturer Repair | First 18,000 miles of operation or during period of 2 years following date of delivery to original purchaser, whichever is earlier |
| Remedies | Consumer's option: replace with comparable vehicle or accept return and refund full purchase price, including all sales tax, license fees, registration fees, and any similar governmental charges; less reasonable allowance for use |
Note: State laws are not carved in stone and may change at any time, usually through the enactment of new legislation but sometimes through the decisions of higher courts or other means. You may want to contact a District of Columbia lemon law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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District of Columbia Lemon Laws: Related Resources
