The Indiana Lemon Law
If your vehicle develops a serious defect that cannot be repaired despite multiple attempts, Indiana's Motor Vehicle Protection Act—commonly known as the Indiana Lemon Law—may provide important protections. The law helps ensure consumers are not left with a vehicle that repeatedly fails to meet reasonable expectations for safety, reliability, and performance.
What vehicles are covered?
Indiana's Lemon Law generally applies to:
The vehicle must be purchased, leased, or registered in Indiana and covered by the manufacturer's original warranty.
The law generally does not apply to:
- New passenger vehicles
- New pickup trucks
- New SUVs
- New vans
- Certain leased vehicles
The vehicle must be purchased, leased, or registered in Indiana and covered by the manufacturer's original warranty.
The law generally does not apply to:
- Motorcycles
- Motor homes
- Certain commercial vehicles
What qualifies as a lemon?
A vehicle may qualify if it has a defect that:
Examples include:
- Is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
- Substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety
- Cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts
Examples include:
- Transmission failures
- Engine defects
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Brake or steering problems
- Persistent drivability issues
What is considered a reasonable number of repair attempts?
Indiana generally considers a reasonable number of attempts to have occurred when:
The defect must generally arise within the first 18 months after delivery or before the vehicle reaches 18,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
- The manufacturer has made four or more attempts to repair the same defect without success, or
- The vehicle has been out of service for at least 30 cumulative business days because of warranty repairs
The defect must generally arise within the first 18 months after delivery or before the vehicle reaches 18,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
What is the manufacturer's responsibility?
If the vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer may be required to:
A refund may include:
Manufacturers may deduct a reasonable allowance for use.
- Replace the vehicle with a comparable model, or
- Repurchase the vehicle
A refund may include:
- Purchase price
- Sales tax
- Registration fees
- Finance charges
- Other applicable costs
Manufacturers may deduct a reasonable allowance for use.
How can BBB AUTO LINE help?
If you have an unresolved dispute involving a defect that is covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty, BBB AUTO LINE may be able to assist you. BBB AUTO LINE is an out-of-court mediation and arbitration dispute resolution process in which many automobile manufacturers participate.
File a Complaint
Are you having problems with your auto warranty? Let BBB AUTO LINE help you resolve your warranty dispute without a lawyer and at no cost to you.
Please gather the following information:
- Owner’s (or Lessee's) name and address
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Make, model and year
- Description of the problem
- Current mileage