The Arizona Lemon Law provides a consumer protection in the event he or she purchased a new vehicle that fails to conform to the express warranty. The law is violated if, after a specific number of attempts the defect is not repaired.
It’s fair to say that the purchase of a new vehicle is a major expense, for many people it is the second largest purchase they will make next to their home. It is nice to know that the purchase is protected by law. If your new car does not meet the criteria laid down in the Arizona Lemon Law you have recourse, either directly through the manufacturer or you can take legal action.
What vehicles are covered under the Arizona Lemon Law?
The lemon law in Arizona applies only to new cars and the chassis, running gear and cab of a motor home; not the area which is habitable. The law does not apply to any vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds or one that was purchased in a public auction. If you should purchase a vehicle that fails to conform to its express warranty it is the dealers responsibility to make any repairs that are needed to bring it back into conformance with the warranty. You are responsible for reporting the defect within the first two years after the date of purchase, within 24,000 miles or before the express warranty is no longer valid.
Although the Arizona Lemon Law provides substantial support for the buyer of a new vehicle, it does not forget the buyer of a used car. A used car is covered for the first 15 days after purchase or it is driven 500 miles and there may be a charge of $25 for the first two repairs.
Reasonable number of repair attempts:
The Arizona Lemon Law is one that does not define the number of repair attempts or the number of days the car is not available for use by the owner. The determination is based on the reasonable consumer and what he or she would expect as reasonable. The law does however some repair attempts and repair days to be automatically unreasonable. The Arizona Lemon Law presumes that it is unreasonable if a vehicle has been in for the same repair four times or the car was not available for a total of 30 days and it still is not repaired.
Under these circumstances the buyer can request from the manufacturer a new vehicle or purchase it back at full purchase price less an allowance for use and mileage.
If you feel that your new car is a lemon then under the Arizona Lemon Law you have recourse. Although it may appear straight forward the law is actually complex and you may need legal assistance. For further information visit the web site of Krohn & Moss Consumer Law Center.
