Driving a Lemon Car in Pennsylvania? You have legal rights under the PA Lemon Law which may permit you to obtain one of the following: a new car, a full refund, or a partial refund for your defective car at no cost to you.
The PA Lemon Law is a generic term for laws that protect consumers from defective vehicles. In the state of Pennsylvania, the Automobile Lemon Law applies to any new vehicle that is both purchased and legally registered in the state of Pennsylvania for personal/family use.
Lemon Law PA Information
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What to do if I have a Lemon
- Ideally, your automobile dealer should work with you to resolve the problem. It is in their best interest to take care of the problem to increase the likelihood of future car sales.
- In the event you can’t resolve the problem with the dealer, you can contact a PA Lemon Law Lawyer.
Let The PA Lemon Law Attorney, David J. Gorberg & Associates, Help You
- Tell Us About Your Lemon
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PA Lemon Law Guide
The Pennsylvania lemon law covers any consumer who buys, or leases, and registers a new motor vehicle in the state.
Under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law your car may be declared a lemon if it meets all the following conditions:
- It has a nonconformity (a defect, or condition) the nonconformity is covered by the manufacturer’s express warranty
- The nonconformity SUBSTANTIALLY impairs the use, market value, or safety of the car
- The nonconformity is not the result of an accident, abuse, neglect, or alteration of the car by persons other than the manufacturer or its authorized dealer
- You reported the nonconformity at least once to the manufacturer’s authorized dealer during the Pennsylvania Lemon Law Rights Period of 1 year or 12,000 miles whichever comes first.
- You gave the manufacturer or its authorized dealer three opportunities to repair the nonconformity.
Pennsylvania Lemon Law FAQ
The Pennsylvania Lemon Law was enacted for the express purpose of protecting consumers from buying or leasing new, but faulty, motor vehicles. The law seeks to make sure that the manufacturer of the vehicle fixes any problems or defects that were originally covered under the manufacturer’s warranty and were reported by the owner within one year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Potential Outcomes for You Through Pennsylvania Lemon Law
Refund For Your Lemon Vehicle
In the case of a vehicle refund, the refund is calculated by taking the full purchase price of the vehicle, and then subtracting a “reasonable allowance for vehicle use.”
In addition, the refund can include the money you spent for:
- Sales tax, license and registration fees, finance charges, and any additional costs such as these
- Options or modifications added by the manufacturer or its authorized dealer within 30 days after delivery date
- Trade-in value
- Attorney fees
- Expert witnesses
- The filing fee for the lemon law
By “reasonable allowance for vehicle use,” this means the odometer reading when first brought to the dealer or manufacturer for repair of the defect times ten cents a mile.
Let’s say your first serviced your car for a defective transmission at 8000 miles
8000 miles x 0.10 (10 cents) = 800.00
The reasonable allowance for vehicle use here would be $800.00
Replacement For Your Lemon Vehicle
The manufacturer can offer to replace the vehicle, although you do not have to accept their offer (opting instead for a refund). However, if the manufacturer refuses to refund your money, you can take them to court. If you do accept a replacement vehicle, and the original vehicle was financed, the manufacturer must make sure the financing is transferred from the original vehicle to the replacement vehicle. It is your responsibility to have the title and registration transferred to your new vehicle.
Cash Settlement and You Keep Car
You may be entitled to cash compensation for its diminished value if the problems with your vehicle do not qualify it as a “lemon”. In some cases, a vehicle may not qualify as a “lemon” under the PA Lemon Law. In these situations, the manufacturer will often pay the consumer a “cash and keep” settlement.
A “cash and keep” settlement allows you to keep possession of your car and receive money from the auto manufacturer based on its diminished value. The warranty remains valid and you can continue to service the vehicle in accordance with the warranty terms.
Pennsylvania Lemon Law Statute
Title 73, Chapter 28
Trade And Commerce
Automobile Lemon Law
Here is a copy of the Pennsylvania Lemon Law. We have also written a summary of the Pennsylvania Lemon Law and it’s requirements. To review a summary of the Pennsylvania Lemon Law click here. View the actual Pennsylvania Lemon Law bill covering new and leased PA lemon cars.
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PA Lemon Law Areas Served
- Allentown Lemon Law Attorney
- Altoona Lemon Law Attorney
- Bethlehem Lemon Law Attorney
- Bensalem Lemon Law Attorney
- Erie, PA Lemon Law Attorney
- Harrisburg Lemon Law Attorney
- Lancaster Lemon Law Attorney
- Norristown Lemon Law Attorney
- Pittsburgh Lemon Law Office
- Philadelphia Area Lemon Law Office
- Scranton Lemon Law Attorney
- State College Lemon Law Attorney
- Upper Darby Lemon Law Attorney
- Williamsport Lemon Law Attorney
- York Lemon Law Attorney
Talk to an experienced Lemon Law Lawyer in Pennsylvania and Get a Free Case Evaluation
To learn more about the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, call our Pennsylvania Lemon Law office at 1-800-MY-LEMON (1-800-695-3666) or email a PA Lemon Law Attorney.