Get to Know the Arizona Lemon Law

Purchasing a vehicle is an important decision, and consumers naturally expect it to be safe and reliable. In rare cases, a new vehicle may experience persistent issues that are difficult to resolve. The Arizona Lemon Law establishes a process to help address these situations and ensure consumer concerns are handled fairly.
 

What Vehicles are Covered?

The Arizona Lemon Law applies to most motor vehicles used on highways. It includes cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and the chassis or drivetrain of motor homes. It does not cover:
  • The living or working portions of a motor home
  • Vehicles with a declared gross weight over 10,000 pounds
  • Vehicles sold at public auction

Used vehicles may also be covered if they are still under the original manufacturer’s warranty and within two years or 24,000 miles of the original delivery.
 

Who is the Consumer?

The law covers:
  • The purchaser of a motor vehicle for personal use, not resale
  • Anyone to whom the vehicle is transferred while still under warranty
  • Anyone entitled under the warranty to enforce its obligations

Leased vehicles are generally not covered unless the lease specifically states that the Lemon Law applies.
 

When Does the Lemon Law Apply?

A consumer must report the problem during the earlier of:
  • The warranty period, or
  • Two years or 24,000 miles from the vehicle’s original delivery.
  • A lemon law action must be filed within six months following the earlier of expiration of the warranty or two years or 24,000 miles following original delivery to the consumer, whichever comes first.

The manufacturer then has a duty to repair the defect, even if the warranty or mileage period has expired, as long as the first report was made during the coverage period.
 

What Qualifies as a Lemon?

A vehicle may qualify as a lemon if, within the coverage period:
  • The same defect has been subject to repair four or more times, and it still exists, or
  • The vehicle has been out of service for a total of 30 or more days due to repairs.
 

The Manufacturer’s Responsibility

If the manufacturer cannot fix the issue after a reasonable number of attempts, they must either:
  • Replace the vehicle with a new one, or
  • Repurchase the vehicle, refunding the full purchase price and collateral charges, minus a reasonable allowance for use.
 

What Should Consumer Do?

  1. Keep detailed records of all repair attempts.
  2. Utilize the customer assistance process as outlined in the manufacturer’s warranty manual. 
  3. Provide written notice to the manufacturer by certified or registered mail after three failed attempts or after one attempt if the defect poses serious safety risks.
  4. Give the manufacturer a final opportunity to repair the issue.

If the manufacturer does not respond within 10 days or fails to complete repairs within 10 days after receiving the vehicle, the law provides stronger protections for consumers.
 

How BBB AUTO LINE Can Help 

If you believe your vehicle may qualify under Arkansas’ Lemon Law, BBB AUTO LINE offers a no-cost, independent dispute resolution program that can help you avoid the hassle of going to court. 
 
We can help you: 
  • File a claim against the manufacturer 
  • Resolve eligible complaints efficiently through mediation and arbitration
  • Connect with a knowledgeable Dispute Resolution Specialist who will help you understand your eligibility, guide you through each step, answer questions, and help keep the process on track.
 

Need Assistance? 

BBB AUTO LINE may be able to help. If your manufacturer participates in the program, you can file a claim today.