NJ Lemon Law Statutes

New Jersey Lemon Law Qualifications

New Jersey's New Car Lemon Law protects you when you purchase a new motor vehicle that develops serious warranty defects which the dealer or manufacturer cannot repair. The law covers vehicles during the first two years from the original date of delivery or 24,000 miles - whichever comes first.

The Used Car Lemon Law protects and assists consumers when they purchase used motor vehicles from licensed dealers, and the vehicles develop repeated problems with parts covered under the warranty. The law also requires dealers to provide a limited warranty based on the mileage of the vehicle at the time of purchase. This warranty must be provided at no extra charge and the dealer must repair the problems within the warranty period.

To qualify for relief under the Lemon Law, the defect must substantially impair the use, value or safety of your vehicle, or be a "serious safety defect" which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven.

Before you file a Lemon Law application, you must have done all of the following:

  • Allowed the minimum number of repair attempts before sending the required certified letter to the manufacturer, allowing for the final repair opportunity; and
  • Sent the certified letter. The letter may be sent only after you have had at least two repair attempts for the same defect, or 20 or more cumulative days out of service to repair one or more defects, and the defect(s) still exist. In the case of a "serious safety defect" likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, the letter can be sent after a single repair attempt and the defect still exists; and
  • Allowed the manufacturer a final chance to repair the vehicle after they receive your certified letter; and
  • Received the certified mail return receipt proving that you sent the final-chance notice to the manufacturer.

New Jersey Arbitration Requirements

You may choose to file a private civil action in court to resolve your claim. However, once a civil action is filed or a court decision has been issued, you can no longer use the Lemon Law program.

You may choose to participate in the manufacturer's arbitration program. Not all manufacturers have an arbitration program. You should contact the manufacturer to see if it has one. You may find an arbitration application in the information packet that came with your vehicle. It is usually inside the glove box. You also can get an application by calling the manufacturer's arbitration program. You are not required to use the manufacturer's arbitration program. If you do use it and you are not satisfied with the outcome and have not agreed to a settlement with the manufacturer, you may still file a Lemon Law application.

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