Michigan Lemon Law FAQs

To determine if Michigan’s Lemon Law applies to your case, several conditions must be met. Your vehicle must be for personal, family, or household use and must have been purchased or leased with an express warranty. You need to have reported the defect to the manufacturer or its authorized dealer within one year from when the vehicle was originally delivered to the first buyer. The law applies if the vehicle has undergone a reasonable number of repair attempts without resolving the issue. If these criteria are satisfied, Michigan’s Lemon Law may indeed apply to your case.

The first step in starting the legal process under Michigan’s Lemon Law is to notify the manufacturer or its authorized dealer about the defect within the warranty term or within one year from the delivery date to the original buyer, whichever comes first. This notification should be documented and sent via the return receipt service. After providing this notice, the manufacturer has a final opportunity to repair the vehicle. If repairs are not completed within five business days after the vehicle is taken to the designated repair facility, you may be entitled to a comparable replacement vehicle or a refund.

Michigan’s Lemon Law covers defects or conditions that impair the use or value of the new vehicle or prevent it from conforming to the manufacturer’s express warranty. However, problems caused by modifications made after purchase, abuse, neglect, or damage occurring post-purchase are not covered. It is essential to report such defects to the manufacturer or authorized dealer promptly and maintain all related documentation. If the manufacturer fails to repair the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the Lemon Law provisions come into effect.

If a vehicle continues to have the same defect even after multiple repair attempts, Michigan’s Lemon Law entitles you to a refund or a comparable replacement vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle should still have the defect after four or more repair attempts within two years of the first repair attempt, or it should be out of service for 30 or more days due to various defects. The refund includes the purchase or lease price minus a reasonable allowance for use and any appraised damage not related to the defect.

A seasoned lemon law lawyer is instrumental in protecting your rights and ensuring you receive the benefits entitled under Michigan’s Lemon Law. They can guide you through the intricate legal processes, help compile necessary documentation, negotiate with manufacturers, and represent you in disputes. With The Liblang Law Firm P.C., consumers facing vehicle defects are well-represented. We are dedicated to advocating on behalf of clients to achieve favorable outcomes in lemon law cases.