You’ve brought your car back to the Dealer won’t fix lemon car—maybe more than once—yet the issue still isn’t fixed. Or worse, the dealership is ignoring your calls altogether. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
When a dealer won’t fix your lemon car, it’s frustrating, time-consuming, and often expensive. But here’s the good news: you have legal rights—and this guide will show you how to use them.
When Is a Car Considered a Lemon?
Before taking action, it’s important to confirm whether your vehicle legally qualifies as a lemon. While exact criteria vary by state, most lemon laws apply if:
- The vehicle has a substantial defect affecting safety, use, or value
- The issue occurred within a certain period (e.g., within 12–24 months or 12,000–24,000 miles)
- The dealer or manufacturer has had multiple chances to repair it
- The vehicle has been in the shop for an extended period (often 30+ days total)
🔗 Find state-specific lemon law requirements here
Why Dealers Sometimes Refuse to Fix Lemon Cars
There are a few common reasons dealers deny or delay repairs:
- ❌ Claiming the defect is “normal wear and tear”
- ❌ Saying it’s not covered under warranty
- ❌ Ignoring your service requests or refusing to schedule an appointment
- ❌ Attempting a quick fix without solving the root problem
- ❌ Hoping you’ll give up or miss the legal deadline to file a claim
But none of these excuses eliminate your consumer protection rights.
Steps to Take if the Dealer Won’t Fix Your Lemon Car
✅ 1. Keep Detailed Records
Save all service receipts, repair orders, emails, and call logs. These documents are essential for proving:
- How many repair attempts were made
- What parts were replaced
- How long your vehicle was out of service
- The dealer’s unwillingness or failure to help
✅ 2. Request Repairs in Writing
If verbal requests aren’t working, send a written request to the dealership’s service manager. Include:
- A description of the problem
- Dates of previous repair attempts
- A request for resolution under warranty or lemon law
Be polite but firm. A written trail shows you tried to resolve the issue cooperatively.
✅ 3. Check Your State’s Lemon Law Requirements
Each state has its own rules, including how many repair attempts are required or how long the car must be out of service.
Some states allow legal action after:
- 2–4 unsuccessful repair attempts
- 30+ days out of service (not necessarily consecutive)
🔗 Nolo – State Lemon Law Guide
✅ 4. Contact the Manufacturer
If the dealer refuses to act, you can escalate your complaint to the vehicle’s manufacturer. Most automakers have a dedicated customer care or dispute resolution department.
Explain the issue, include documentation, and ask for a formal resolution. Sometimes, the manufacturer will step in and resolve the issue directly.
✅ 5. Consult a Lemon Law Attorney
If you’ve followed all the steps and still haven’t gotten results, it’s time to get legal help. An experienced attorney can help you:
- Demand a refund, replacement, or cash compensation
- File a formal lemon law claim
- Represent you in arbitration or court
- Avoid common legal pitfalls
📞 Schedule a free lemon law consultation and protect your rights before time runs out.
Can You Still File a Claim Without a Warranty?
In some cases, yes. Even if your warranty has expired, you may still qualify under lemon law if the problems started while the warranty was active.
In addition, you may have protections under:
- Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- State consumer fraud or deceptive trade practice laws
- Implied warranties for recent used car purchases
An attorney can help assess your situation and guide the best path forward.
Final Thoughts
If a dealer won’t fix your lemon car, you don’t have to accept it—or pay for repairs out of pocket. Lemon laws exist to protect consumers like you, and with the right steps, you can get the resolution you deserve.
🚘 Don’t wait. The longer you delay, the more complicated your claim may become. Start documenting now and explore your legal options.
