Get to Know the Arkansas Lemon Law

When consumers buy or lease a new vehicle, they expect it to perform safely and reliably. The Arkansas Lemon Law provides a structured process to address significant issues that affect a vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
 

What Vehicles are Covered?

The Arkansas Lemon Law applies to most new self-propelled vehicles licensed, purchased, or leased in the state for personal or property transportation on public streets and highways. It does not cover:
  • Mopeds or motorcycles
  • The living space of a motor home
  • Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds
  • Vehicles over 10,000 pounds that have been substantially altered after sale

Used vehicles may be covered if they are transferred during the Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance period.
 

Who is the Consumer?

The law covers:
  • Purchasers or lessees of a new or previously untitled vehicle (not for resale or sublease)
  • Anyone entitled to enforce the manufacturer’s warranty during the coverage period

Guidance from the Arkansas Attorney General clarifies that even subsequent owners may be covered if the transfer happens during the Quality Assurance period.
 

When Does the Lemon Law Apply?

The Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance period is the later of:
  • 24 months after delivery to the first consumer, or
  • The first 24,000 miles of operation

A defect, called a nonconformity, must be reported during this period.
 

What Qualifies as a Lemon?

A rebuttable presumption of a “lemon” arises if, during the coverage period:
  • The same issue has been repaired three times with no success and the manufacturer is given a final repair attempt,
  • The defect is likely to cause death or serious injury and remains after one repair attempt plus a final attempt,
  • The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more calendar days due to repairs, or
  • Five or more attempts have been made to repair different problems that together impair use and value.
 

The Manufacturer’s Responsibility

If the defect is not fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must either:
  • Repurchase the vehicle. A refund includes the purchase price, collateral charges (such as taxes and title fees), and incidental costs like towing or alternative transportation, minus a reasonable offset for use.
  • Replace the vehicle. The replacement must be identical or reasonably equivalent to the original and include coverage for collateral and incidental charges.
 

What Should Consumer Do?

  1. Keep detailed records of all repair attempts.
  2. Utilize the customer assistance process as outlined in the manufacturers’ 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 you 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 assist. If your manufacturer participates in the program, you can file a claim today.