Every year, countless Manhattan residents find themselves stuck with defective vehicles — cars that seemed perfect on the showroom floor, but turn into a costly headache. Fortunately, New York State’s lemon law protects drivers in Manhattan from financial hardships caused by vehicles that can’t be fixed.
If you’ve leased or purchased a vehicle that’s constantly facing issues and underperforms, you could qualify for a refund, replacement vehicle, or compensation. So — does your vehicle meet the criteria?
- The manufacturer or dealer failed to repair the same problem after an unreasonable number of attempts.
- Your car has been out of service for 30+ days due to repairs.
- The issue started within the first 24 months or 18,000 miles, whichever came first.
What is Considered a “Lemon” in Manhattan?
Under New York law, a vehicle may be classified as a "lemon" if it has a defect that severely impacts its safety, performance, or value. Additionally, the problem persists despite repeated repair efforts by a manufacturer-certified repair facility. To qualify under the Manhattan lemon law:
- The issue must have started while the vehicle was covered under the manufacturer’s warranty
- The vehicle was purchased or leased in New York or is registered here
- You primarily use the vehicle for personal, family, or household reasons
Watch Attorney Emma Robison explain Manhattan Lemon Law:
We Offer Free Lemon Law Case Review for Manhattan Drivers
At Robison Lemon Law Group, we offer no-cost case evaluations for Manhattan vehicle owners who believe they’ve bought a lemon. Our legal team knows how to fight the manufacturers and get you the results you deserve. Don’t waste more time — get in touch today.
How Many Repair Attempts Are "Unreasonable"?
Manufacturers in New York must be given a fair opportunity to fix any mechanical problems with your vehicle — but it is not an endless opportunity. In most Manhattan lemon law cases, the threshold is:
- Four repair attempts for the same problem
- 30+ days in the shop for repairs, total
Common Vehicle Defects in Manhattan Lemon Law Cases
Here in Manhattan, we commonly see the following vehicle defects in lemon law disputes:
- Engine stalling or failure
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Transmission slipping or delays
- Faulty fuel systems
- Airbag deployment failures
- Brake or steering instability
If your car’s defect makes it unreliable, unsafe, or is constantly in for repairs, it’s time to consider legal action.
How the Manhattan Lemon Law Process Works
- Report the Defect to the Dealer or Manufacturer
Submit your complaint in writing and document all repairs, issues, and communications. - Allow Time for Repair Attempts
The dealership must be given a fair number of attempts to fix the problem—usually up to 4 tries or 30 days out of service. - Request a Buyback or Replacement
If the problem isn’t fixed, you’re entitled to demand compensation or a replacement vehicle under New York’s lemon law. - Take Legal Action, if Necessary
If the manufacturer won’t cooperate, our attorneys can file a claim and fight for your rights in court.
Why Hire a Manhattan Lemon Law Attorney?
Going up against automakers is no easy task. A skilled Manhattan lemon law lawyer makes sure your paperwork is flawless, your rights are protected, and the manufacturer takes your case seriously. We’ll handle everything from documentation to negotiations with the manufacturer – so you receive every dollar you are rightfully owed.
What Does a Manhattan Lemon Law Lawyer Cost?
Nothing upfront. In successful lemon law claims. the manufacturer is ordered to pay your legal fees and our attorney costs. We don’t demand any upfront payments.
What Compensation Can You Receive?
If your case is successful, you may be entitled to:
- Full Refund
The refund (or buyback) includes the purchase price of the vehicle minus a usage deduction on miles over 12,000. - Replacement Vehicle
If you would prefer to stick with the make, you can request a comparable model of equal or greater MSRP. If you choose one with a higher MSRP, you will be responsible to pay the difference. - Reimbursement of Legal Costs
If you win the case, the manufacturer pays for all court and attorney fees
Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Lemon Law
What makes a vehicle qualify as a lemon in NYC?
If your car has a defect that impairs safety, use, or value and the issue persists despite repair attempts within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years, you may qualify.
Is there a time limit to file a Manhattan lemon law claim?
Yes, you have four years from the delivery date. However, we strongly recommend starting the lemon law process as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult your claim will become.
How long does a lemon law claim take in Manhattan?
On average, Manhattan lemon law cases take a few months to a year or more, depending on the complexity and whether litigation is necessary.
Can I negotiate a lemon law claim on my own?
Yes, you can try. However, manufacturers often push back or offer lowball settlements to consumers without a skilled attorney. Having a legal team strengthens your position and can lead to higher compensation.
What damages can I recover?
If you win the lemon law case, you are entitled to:
- A refund of the purchase price
- A replacement vehicle of equivalent value
- Coverage of all legal and attorney fees
- Reimbursement for costs like towing or rentals
Contact a Manhattan Lemon Law Lawyer Today
If your car has become more trouble than you imagined, don’t wait to look into a lemon law claim. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Our Manhattan-based lemon law attorneys are ready to help you fight back and get compensated for your defective vehicle.
Request your free consultation today. Let’s get you back on the road with confidence.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
Request a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Our Lemon Law attorneys will strategically evaluate your situation and recommend the best course of action.
Colorado Lemon Law Requirements
While federal laws such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act govern product liability and warranties, Colorado lemon laws provide specific protections for owners of defective new vehicles.
Lemon laws in Colorado only apply to new vehicles. Unfortunately, there are no similar laws in the State of Colorado that apply to used cars.
New Car Lemon Law in Colorado
- The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use or decrease the market value of the car.
- The defect must arise within one year of purchasing the vehicle or delivery of the car, whichever is later.
- Customers must make reasonable attempts to correct the defect before lemon laws apply.
- Colorado defines a reasonable number of attempts to 3 visits or more tries in the first year of owning the car.
- Lemon laws will also apply if the car has been in for repair for more than 24 business days for the same repair. The 24 business days do not have to be consecutive.
- Defects like rattles or squeaks will not trigger lemon laws in Colorado because they do not affect the use or market value of the car.
- Before suing under Colorado’s lemon laws, the consumer must send a written notice of the defect to the manufacturer by certified mail.
- Once the notice has been mailed, the consumer must also go through the manufacturer’s informal dispute resolution process, if one exists.
- You must also allow the manufacturer another chance to repair the car after this notice.
- If there is a defect that cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts, the manufacturer has the option to replace the vehicle or refund you the purchase price
Breach of Warranty in Colorado
Lemon laws are just another way that you can force a manufacturer to adhere to the warranty that already comes with your new vehicle. In Colorado, you can sue a manufacturer by going through the lemon law process as well as suing under “common law” breach of express warranty. In fact, lemon laws are considered a form of breach of warranty laws. They are simply specific to the automotive industry.
To prove breach of warranty in Colorado, you must show:
- The manufacturer expressly warranted the product to perform in a certain way
- The plaintiff was reasonably expected to use the product
- The product was not as warrantied
- The violation of the warranty caused you damages or other losses
- The plaintiff notified the manufacturer of the breach of warranty within a reasonable time after discovering the problem
Lemon laws are similar, but they are less strict. They do not require that you prove any particular damage, for example, other than that the vehicle was not working as expected.
Exceptions to Colorado Lemon Laws
Colorado lemon laws are limited. You must discover the defect within one year of the date that you purchased the vehicle or the time of the delivery of the car, whichever is later. Motorcycles and motorhomes are not covered. Generally, the car must also be used for personal reasons, which means that business-use vehicles likely don’t qualify for lemon law protections. Used cars also do not qualify under Colorado lemon laws, either.
In Colorado, lemon laws are also explicitly tied to the language in the manufacturer’s warranty language. That means that if the manufacturer does not cover a specific item, then there likely is no lemon law protection for that defect.
It also means that if the warranty is for less than one year, then the shorter warranty period will apply, rather than one year that is set out by Colorado law.
Colorado Lemon Law Cases
Robison Lemon Law Group, LLC has significant experience with lemon law cases.
For example, we won cases that deal with:
- Engine failures
- Electrical defects
- Brake issues
- Alignment problems
- Rattling and shuddering that causes problems controlling the car
- Transmission issues
- Turbo problems
Every case is different. Previous successful cases are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Let us evaluate your situation to determine whether pursuing a lemon law claim is the right option for you.
Talk to an Experienced Lemon Lawyer in Colorado and Get a Free Case Evaluation
If you suspect that your vehicle has a defect that triggers Colorado lemon laws, you need to act quickly because of Colorado’s short period in which to attempt to address the flaw. Having an attorney help you with this process can be extremely beneficial.
Contact the team at Robison Lemon Law Group, LLC by filling out the Question/Contact form to your right.
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