No sooner had you gotten your shiny new car off the lot than it started sputtering on the road. Fortunately for you, the Keystone State has vehicle consumer protection laws in place to protect you can’t seem to keep your new auto purchase out of the repair shop. Here is a quick summary of “lemon laws†in Pennsylvania.
State Lemon Laws
What is a lemon? A new car that has recurring problems that the dealership is unable to remedy -- that's a lemon. Lemon laws are intended to protect consumers from being stuck with an inoperable or otherwise problematic new vehicle. Pennsylvania's lemon laws are codified in the state's aptly named Automobile Lemon Law, which allows a refund or replacement if a new vehicle fails to meet certain operability standards with a year or the first 12,000 miles of use.
Lemon Laws in Pennsylvania
The main provisions of Pennsylvania lemon laws are listed below.
| Code Section | Tit. 73 §§1951, et seq. |
| Title of Act | Automobile Lemon Law |
| Definition of Defects | Nonconformity to warranties which significantly affects the use, market value, or safety of vehicle |
| Time Limit for Manufacturer Repair | 1 year following date of actual delivery to consumer, within first 12,000 miles of use or during time of the warranty, whichever may first occur |
| Remedies | Purchaser's option: replace with comparable vehicle of equal value or accept return and refund full purchase price, including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for purchaser's use not exceeding 10¢ per mile or 10% of purchase price, whichever is less |
While lemon law specifics can vary from state to state, Pennsylvania law applies to any new vehicle purchased and registered in Pennsylvania, except for motorcycles, motor homes and off-road vehicles. Additionally, lemon law protection only lasts for 12 months or the first 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the defect cannot be repaired after 3 attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for a total of 30 calendar days for repair, generally, you may be eligible for a replacement vehicle or the refund of the purchase price, less a limited allowance for use. You should also read through and understand any warranty you received with the vehicle.
Pennsylvania Lemon Laws: Related Resources
It’s never easy finding out your dream car might be a lemon. You may want to contact a Pennsylvania lemon law attorney in your area to find out if your car is covered. You can also visit FindLaw's extensive Lemon Law section for additional resources.
