Each year 1-800-MY LEMON receives many calls from owners of cars who do not qualify for relief under the Pennsylvania lemon law or New Jersey lemon law. Fortunately these consumers are able to pursue a claim for damages under the Federal Warranty Act.

The Federal Warranty Act, passed by Congress in 1975, and also known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, requires manufacturers of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage, such as whether the warranty is a “limited” or “full” warranty. More importantly, it is a law that protects buyers of defective products, which were sold with a warranty.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, consumers are given the right to bring a claim against auto manufacturers and/or dealers that manufacture or sell defective products, such as lemon cars and motorcycles. The act permits the consumer to obtain damages, in the form of a refund, for the failure of the manufacturer to repair the defect within a reasonable number of repairs. In addition to monetary damages, the Act permits the prevailing consumer to recover all attorney fees and costs.

The attorney fee shifting provision of this law places financial pressure on the manufacturer to settle consumer disputes, since it may be responsible for paying both it’s own lawyer’s fees, as well as the consumer lawyer’s attorney fees.

So if you discover that your defective car is not covered under the lemon law, do not be concerned, you may be able to obtain a refund under the Federal Warranty Act.

For more information about your Federal Warranty Rights give us a call at
1-800-MY-LEMON, or visit the FTC website.