Georgia Lemon Law: Protecting Consumers Against Faulty Vehicles

In Georgia, the state has enacted the Georgia Lemon Law to safeguard consumers from the hassle and financial burden of owning a faulty vehicle.

Consumers must be aware of their rights and protections when purchasing a new vehicle. This law provides remedies for individuals who find themselves dealing with a defective car that impairs its use, value, or safety.

Eligibility for Georgia Lemon Law Protection

Certain criteria must be met to be eligible for protection under the Georgia Lemon Law. These criteria include:

New Vehicle Purchase

The law applies to new vehicles that have been purchased, leased, or registered in Georgia. It does not cover used vehicles or vehicles purchased outside the state.

Defects during Warranty Period

The defects must arise within the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. Documenting any issues or repairs during this period is essential to strengthen your case.

Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts

The law requires a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the defects. If the vehicle manufacturer or authorized dealer fails to repair the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to relief under the Georgia Lemon Law.

Vehicle Out of Service

If the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more due to repair attempts for the same defect or different defects, it may qualify for protection.

Remedies Provided by the Georgia Lemon Law

If your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements and qualifies as a lemon under the Georgia Lemon Law, you may be entitled to several remedies, including:

Refund or Replacement

You may have the option to receive a refund of the full purchase price or a replacement vehicle of equal value. The manufacturer will be responsible for reimbursing you for the purchase price, including taxes, registration fees, and any other charges associated with the vehicle.

Attorney’s Fees and Costs

If you prevail in a lemon law claim, the manufacturer may be required to cover your attorney’s fees and costs. This provision ensures that consumers can access legal representation without incurring additional financial burdens.

Other Damages

In some cases, you may be entitled to additional damages, such as reimbursement for incidental expenses related to the defect, including towing fees or rental car costs.

How to File A Lemon Law Claim

To pursue a lemon law claim in Georgia, it is advisable to follow these steps.

Keep Detailed Records

Maintain a comprehensive record of all repairs, including dates, descriptions of the problems, and copies of invoices or receipts. This documentation will serve as valuable evidence in your lemon law claim.

Notify the Manufacturer or Dealer

Inform the vehicle manufacturer or authorized dealer in writing about the persistent issues with your vehicle. Be sure to send the notification via certified mail to have proof of delivery.

Cooperate in Repair Attempts

Cooperate with the manufacturer or dealer’s attempts to repair the vehicle. Allow them a reasonable number of repair opportunities to fix the defects. Remember to keep track of the number of repair attempts and the duration of each repair.

Consult with an Attorney

Consider consulting with an experienced lemon law attorney who can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights. They will help you gather evidence, navigate negotiations with the manufacturer, and represent you if the case goes to court.

File a Complaint with the Office of the Attorney General

If the manufacturer fails to resolve the issue satisfactorily, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General in Georgia. Provide them with all the relevant information and documentation related to your case.

Explore Alternative Dispute Resolution

In some cases, the manufacturer may offer alternative dispute resolution options, such as mediation or arbitration. These processes aim to resolve conflicts without going to court. Discuss these options with your attorney and decide on the best course of action.

Lemon Law Requirements for New Vehicles

The Lemon law’s applicability in Georgia necessitates fulfilling certain conditions. To be eligible, your vehicle must still be covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, protecting the specific issue you are encountering. Moreover, the issue at hand should significantly impair the vehicle’s utility, value, or safety. It is important to note that the vehicle must have been sold to you with the existing issue, excluding any damages caused subsequent to your purchase.

If your car falls under the definition of a “lemon” in Georgia, the car dealership or manufacturer is obligated to undertake one of the following actions.

1. Rectify the car within a reasonable number of attempts.
2. Rectify the car within a reasonable number of days.
3. Substitute the car with an identical or equivalent vehicle that satisfies the buyer’s requirements.
4. Initiate a buyback of the car for a refund, deducting a charge for the period used before the initial repair attempt.

Repairing the car within a reasonable number of attempts holds paramount significance in Georgia, which is generally defined as four attempts. However, in cases where the vehicle issue poses a severe safety hazard that could potentially result in death or serious injury, the number of repair attempts is limited to two. The latter attempt is designated as the “final attempt.”

Suppose the dealer or manufacturer fails to rectify the vehicle after four attempts (or two attempts in the case of a serious operational or safety issue). In that case, they are obliged to allow you to return the car in exchange for an identical or comparable vehicle or provide a refund.

Additionally, the Lemon law stipulates a reasonable number of days for car repairs in Georgia, which is defined as 30 days. If your vehicle remains in the repair shop for more than 30 cumulative days within the Lemon law timeframe due to the same issue, the dealer or manufacturer must offer you the choice to return the vehicle for an identical or similar replacement or provide a refund.

It is important to note that the 30 days need not be consecutive but rather cumulative. Therefore, any time your car spends in the repair shop during the lemon law period for the same issue is counted towards the 30-day limit, irrespective of whether they are separated by months.

Substituting the car with a “substantially identical” vehicle is another alternative. If the dealer or manufacturer fails to rectify the vehicle within the prescribed number of attempts or days, they must allow you to return it. Upon returning the car, you can request a replacement vehicle. The replacement vehicle should closely resemble the original one in terms of make, model, and features, among other factors, and must meet your satisfaction.

During the vehicle exchange process, the dealer is responsible for covering any additional taxes and fees associated with the transaction. However, they may deduct a fee to account for vehicle usage up until the first repair attempt. A standardized formula is employed to calculate this fee.

Alternatively, if you opt not to receive a replacement vehicle following the identification of a lemon, you are entitled to request a full refund instead. When processing a refund, the dealer is obliged to reimburse the entire purchase price of the car, including all taxes, fees, and interest paid on the loan, except a usage fee.

The usage fee corresponds to the mileage accrued on the car prior to the initial repair attempt and is determined using a standardized formula.

Understanding the Time Limit for Filing a Lemon Law Claim in Georgia

When it comes to filing a Lemon law claim in Georgia, it’s essential to be aware of the time limit within which you must take action. The time limit for filing a Lemon law claim in Georgia is 36 months, equivalent to three years from the date of purchase.

The Georgia Lemon Law TimeFrame

To provide a clearer understanding, let’s break down the Lemon law time frame in Georgia:

1. 24 Months (2 Years) from the Date of Purchase: The Georgia Lemon Law is applicable for 24 months or two years starting from the date of purchase. During this time, if you encounter recurring defects or issues that significantly impair your vehicle’s use, value, or safety, you may be eligible to file a Lemon law claim.
2. One-Year Grace Period: Following the initial 24-month period, Georgia allows an additional one-year grace period for filing a Lemon law claim. This grace period provides consumers with an extended opportunity to address any unresolved issues with their vehicles.

Additional Mileage and Warranty Considerations

In addition to the time frame mentioned above, there are two specific milestones related to mileage and warranty that can affect the filing of a Georgia Lemon law claim in Georgia:

1. Within One Year of Reaching 24,000 Miles: If your vehicle reaches 24,000 miles within the initial 24-month period, you must file a Lemon law claim within one year of reaching this mileage threshold. It is important to note that this requirement applies to the total mileage covered by the vehicle and not just the mileage accrued during the first 24 months.
2. Within One Year of the End of the Vehicle’s Full Warranty: If you wish to file a Georgia Lemon law claim based on warranty-related issues, you must do so within one year of the end date of the vehicle’s full warranty. This ensures consumers have sufficient time to address warranty-covered defects or problems.

Determining the Expiration Date

To determine the expiration date for filing a Lemon law claim in Georgia, you should consider the following factors.

1. The date of purchase: This is the starting point for calculating the 24-month period during which the Lemon law applies.
2. Mileage threshold: Keep track of your vehicle’s mileage and ensure that you file a claim within one year of reaching 24,000 miles, if applicable.
3. Warranty end date: If you plan to file a claim based on warranty-related issues, remember to file within one year of the end date of the vehicle’s full warranty.

It’s crucial to note that the Lemon law time frame in Georgia is determined by whichever of the above factors occurs first.

What happens if the manufacturer doesn’t comply? 

If the manufacturer fails to comply with the necessary actions, the situation calls for further recourse. Suppose the manufacturer cannot rectify the defect on the final attempt and needs to initiate a buyback or provide a replacement vehicle upon request. In that case, you may be eligible for a vehicle repurchase or replacement award through a certified informal dispute settlement program, state-operated arbitration, or both. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can demand that the manufacturer either repurchases or replaces your vehicle. Should the manufacturer refuse to offer either of these remedies, the law grants you the right to engage in an arbitration process.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Seller

It is essential to note that no legal recourse is available under Georgia Lemon law or consumer protection laws for vehicles acquired from private sellers, regardless of the vehicle type. In such cases, if you receive any written communication from the seller, you should consult an attorney for further guidance and assistance.

What Paperwork Do I Need? 

Maintaining copies of any written communication exchanged between yourself, the manufacturer, or the dealer is crucial. Additionally, recording the date and substance of any phone conversations you have with them is advisable. Throughout the process, you must submit various written notices, which must be sent via overnight or by certified mail.

It is important to request a return receipt for each notice, and these receipts should be retained as proof of delivery for your records. Furthermore, ensure you obtain an itemized repair order or statement from the authorized dealer every time the vehicle is brought in for diagnosis or repair. This documentation serves as evidence of the repair attempts made.

Will It Cost Me Anything? 

No, participating in this state-operated program will not incur any expenses for you. The program’s funding is sourced from the $3.00 fee you previously paid upon purchasing or leasing your new motor vehicle.