Wisconsin's Lemon Law is one of the strongest in the
country. Signed into law 20 years ago, it protects new car
buyers by stating that a manufacturer must refund or replace
a new vehicle if it turns out to be a "lemon." Under the
law, a vehicle is considered a "lemon" if it has one or more
defects that substantially impair its use, value or safety.
Such defects must be covered by warranty, and problems must
occur in the vehicle's first year of warranty coverage.
Though defects and repair attempts must occur in the first
year, car owners have up to several years after that to file
a lawsuit.
This law ensures that people who buy new cars in
Wisconsin can expect them to run reliably and safely, and we
see no benefit to the taxpayers of Wisconsin to weaken it.
Every year, manufacturers buy back some 600 to 700 vehicles
that are determined to be lemons in Wisconsin", says
Secretary of Transportation Frank Busalacchi. "Our law isn't
broken, so we shouldn't fix it."
If the motor vehicle you buy or lease in Wisconsin turns out
to be a "lemon," the manufacturer has to replace it free or
refund the price (minus a reasonable amount for mileage).
While every state has a lemon law, the strength of these
laws varies a great deal.
Wisconsin's Lemon Law is stronger
than most and has a number of unique
features.
- The law provides for double
damages if a consumer wins a
Lemon Law case in court.
Wisconsin is the only state with
this double damages provision.
- The Wisconsin Lemon Law
covers commercial vehicles. In
many states large commercial
truck buyers have no protection.
- There is no mileage
limitation.
- There is no express statute
of limitations for filing a
lawsuit.
- The law requires arbitration
boards that have been certified
by DOT to strictly "apply" the
Lemon Law to their decisions.
- Lemon titles are branded
"manufacturer buyback vehicle"
making them identifiable.
Although the lemon law is quite clear it is often
difficult to get the automobile dealer to take the vehicle
back and return the individuals money. There are attorneys
who specialize in lemon law cases. If an individual feels he
or she has a “lemon” and is unable to reach a satisfactory
resolution with the automobile dealer it may be necessary to
contact one of these attorneys.
Related pages
Lemon Law
California Lemon Law
Illinois Lemon Law |
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