February 19, 2010 – A new bill passed to cover emergency vehicles under the New Jersey lemon law protection, including ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and other vehicles. The changes outline conditions for company reimbursement or replacements of emergency vehicles.

It all started when Doug Fenichel, APR, a volunteer emergency medical technician with Flanders (NJ) Fire Company and Rescue Squad, found himself treating a cardiac patient in the back of an ambulance that had broken down.

After a closer look, he discovered that the ambulance had a number of engine problems, and the vehicle had been to Ford dealers multiple times for the same engine problem.

Fenichel notified the 24th District legislators, and a bill was unanimously passed in December 2009.

The stipulations include:

  • Manufacturers of new vehicles are required to correct defects that are originally covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
  • It applies to new vehicles that develop repeated defects or unusable periods during either the first two years or 18,000 miles.
  • A new vehicle is considered a lemon if it has one or more defects that continue to exist after three attempts at repairs, or after the vehicle has been out of service for a total of 20 cumulative calendar days.

“It is a significant matter of public safety to include emergency vehicles under lemon law protection,” says lemon law attorney David Gorberg. “Taxpayers should benefit greatly from the expansion of the current lemon law, while emergency vehicle manufacturers should be held accountable for their product.”

The Lemon Law Attorneys at David J. Gorberg & Associates have arbitrated, settled and litigated thousands of lemon law claims throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, recovering millions of dollars for their clients. More information at www.mylemon.com or by calling 1-800-MyLemon.