What to Do if You Got a Lemon Car for Christmas

Getting a new car for Christmas should be about a big bow and a sleek new ride. But for some new car owners, the new year brings new problems. Find out what you should do if you got a lemon car for Christmas.

What is a Lemon Car?

Just because you don't like your new car doesn't mean it counts as a lemon. Instead, a lemon is a passenger car or truck that continues to have the same defect that negatively impacts the value of the vehicle. It's not enough for your car to need repairs after you buy it. But if repeated efforts to fix the automobile keep falling short, you may be driving a lemon.

Repairing a Lemon

Before your troubled vehicle becomes a lemon you have to give the manufacturer or dealership a “reasonable number of repair attempts.” Under Michigan law, this means:

• You've brought the car in for the same repair 4 or more times in 2 years; or
  
• Your car is out of commission for at least 30 days of your first year for one or more problems.
  

Notifying the Manufacturer

If your vehicle is headed toward being categorized as a lemon, you need to notify the manufacturer about the need for repair by certified mail, return receipt requested either after the third repair or after the vehicle has been in the shop for 25 days. Talk to a Michigan Lemon Law Lawyer, like Dani K. Liblang before you send it in, to make sure your notice satisfies Michigan law.

Opportunity to Repair or Replace

The manufacturer gets one last chance to fix your car after you send in the notice. If it can't do so within 5 days, your car is a lemon and you are entitled to a replacement or a refund.

Returning Your Christmas Lemon

If the manufacturer can't fix your car it must give you two options:

1. Replace the vehicle. You have the authority to accept or reject the replacement.
   
2. Refund the cost of the vehicle. You are entitled to the full purchase price of the vehicle, minus an amount representing your use of the vehicle.
   

Heading to Court

Manufacturers will often fight the process of returning a lemon car. If your manufacturer or dealership won't work with you, you may need to attend arbitration or even file a lawsuit to get the relief you deserve according to Michigan law.

Don't let your biggest Christmas gift leave a sour taste in your mouth. If repeated repairs are getting in the way of enjoying your new car, contact Lemon Law Lawyer Dani K. Liblang. She will walk you through the process and make sure you get what you deserve under the law.