There is nothing worse than spending a great deal of money on a new vehicle, only to find out that it spends more time in the shop than it does on the road. Fortunately, consumers in Ohio can relax knowing they have a lemon law that protects them.
What Is a Lemon in Ohio?
A vehicle, be it a passenger car, motorcycle or light truck, that experiences one or more major unresolved issues, issues that compromise passenger safety, in the first year or 18,000 miles, may qualify as a lemon.
Before you hire a Ohio lemon law attorney to assist, you must give the manufacturer of the vehicle or the dealer a reasonable opportunity to correct the defects. There must have been:
- Three tries to repair one problem
- Eight tries or more to repair multiple problems, and
- The car must have been in the shop for a total of 30 days minimum
In the event the issue is such that it could cause death or serious injury, the manufacturer or dealer is only allowed one chance to repair.
The manufacturer, if satisfied with the claim, has the option of replacing the car or refunding the purchase price. If the manufacturer disagrees with your claim and refuses to offer a replacement or a refund, you can opt for arbitration.
Filing a Lawsuit
You have the right to file a lawsuit in the event the arbitration proceedings go against you. You have five years from the original date of purchase to hire an attorney and file suit. It is extremely important that anyone buying a new car keep immaculate records. Although lemons are rare, you have a far better chance of arriving a settlement that favors you if you have copies of all repair and maintenance orders.
If you buy a car in Ohio that continues to have warranty repair issues, you can invoke the state lemon law. To know more, contact us.
