Purchasing a new car is exciting, but for some Elizabeth drivers, it quickly turns into a nightmare when defects or mechanical failures persist. For these scenarios, Elizabeth has lemon law protections to help you secure compensation or a replacement for your faulty vehicle.
If your car fits the following conditions, you may be eligible for a refund or replacement under the state’s lemon law:
- The dealer has made an unreasonable number of unsuccessful attempts to repair the same issue.
- The defect occurred within the first 2 years or 24,000 miles of ownership (whichever comes first).
- Your vehicle has been in the repair shop for 20 or more days due to warranty-covered issues.
Does Your Vehicle Qualify for Lemon Law Protection in Elizabeth?
Elizabeth’s lemon law is designed to assist consumers whose vehicles have substantial defects that compromise their safety, value, or usability. If the dealer or manufacturer is unable to fix the issue after several attempts, your vehicle may qualify as a "lemon."
Here's what you need to know:
- Your vehicle must be purchased, leased, or registered in New Jersey.
- The defect must be reported within the first 2 years or 24,000 miles after purchase (whichever comes first).
- The vehicle should primarily be used for personal, family, or household purposes.
Watch Attorney Emma Robison explain New Jersey’s Lemon Law
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The Statute of Limitations for Lemon Law Claims in Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey law says you have four years from the date of vehicle delivery to file a lemon claim. But this period may be extended depending on vehicle repairs. Regardless of the time limit, it’s very important to act quickly once you notice a recurring defect. The sooner you take action, the easier it will be to earn rightful compensation.
What Is Considered an “Unreasonable” Number of Repair Attempts in Elizabeth?
In the state of New Jersey, an "unreasonable" number of repair attempts is characterized as:
- At least three repair attempts for the same defect, and the issue remains unresolved.
- The vehicle has been in the repair shop for 20 or more total days due to any number of warranty-covered repairs.
If your car meets these conditions, you may qualify for an Elizabeth lemon law claim.
Common Defects That Lead to Lemon Law Claims in Elizabeth
We frequently see the following recurring defects concerning lemon law claims in Elizabeth:
- Engine problems
- Transmission issues
- Electrical malfunctions
- Steering or brake failures
- Airbag or safety system defects
- Fuel system problems
If your car has experienced any of these issues and repeated repair attempts have failed, it may qualify as a lemon under New Jersey law.
Does New Jersey Lemon Law Apply to Used Vehicles?
Yes, New Jersey’s lemon law also applies to used vehicles if substantial defects occur within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles. Even if you’ve purchased a pre-owned car, you may still be eligible for protection under NJ lemon law.
How Does the New Jersey Lemon Law Process Work?
To pursue a Lemon Law claim in New Jersey, these are the steps you need to follow:
- Report the Defect:
The first step in the NJ lemon law process is to notify the dealer or manufacturer as soon as you notice the defect. Keep detailed records of all repair attempts, including the dates and communications. - Multiple Repair Attempts
The manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of attempts to fix the defect, usually at least three times, or your vehicle must be out of service for repairs for 20 or more total days. - Request a Refund or Replacement:
If the issue persists after three or more repair attempts, you can request a refund or a comparable replacement vehicle under Elizabeth, NJ lemon law. - Legal Action
If the manufacturer refuses to offer a fair solution, you can file a formal lemon law claim. Our attorneys will advocate for you throughout this process to get the compensation or replacement you deserve.
The Role of a Lemon Law Lawyer in Elizabeth, NJ
While it’s possible to file a claim on your own (without experienced legal counsel), working with a lemon lawyer significantly improves your chances of reaching a fair settlement. Manufacturers typically offer low settlements initially, and having a knowledgeable attorney helps to make sure you get a fair deal.
Our team at Robison Lemon Law Group will handle all legal aspects of your case, so you can focus on getting your life back to normal.
How Much Do Lemon Law Lawyers Charge in Elizabeth, NJ?
At Robison Lemon Law Group, we don’t charge clients anything upfront to take their case – no out-of-pocket fees or retainers. If we win your case, the manufacturer is required to cover our attorney’s fees, so there’s no financial risk in filing a claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover Under New Jersey’s Lemon Law?
If your Lemon Law claim is successful, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund
This includes the purchase price, taxes, registration, and other fees (minus any applicable deductions). - A replacement vehicle
If you prefer, you can request a new car from the manufacturer of equal or greater value – instead of a refund. If you choose a vehicle with a higher MSRP, you'll need to pay the difference. - Reimbursement for incidental expenses
This includes towing, rental cars, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the lemon. - Legal fees
If we win, the manufacturer may be required to cover our fees and other court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth, NJ Lemon Law
What is the Mileage Limit for Lemon Law in Elizabeth?
New Jersey's lemon law applies to vehicles with significant defects, which were reported within two years or 24,000 miles after delivery, whichever comes first. If the defect occurs within this period and cannot be fixed, you may be eligible for a refund or replacement.
How Long Does a Lemon Law Claim Take?
Most New Jersey lemon law cases are resolved within a few months, but if the manufacturer is unwilling to offer a fair settlement and the case goes to court, it may take longer.
How Do You Negotiate a Lemon Law Claim?
Gather and organize detailed records of repairs and communication with the manufacturer. Having an attorney by your side can significantly help in receiving a fair settlement, whether through a refund, replacement, or cash compensation.
How is a Lemon Law Buyback Calculated?
A buyback typically includes the purchase price, title fees, taxes, and additional charges. The buyback amount may be adjusted based on the miles driven before the defect was reported.
Contact a Lemon Law Lawyer in Elizabeth, NJ Today
If your car is causing you constant trouble and the dealer can’t fix it, don't let them off the hook. New Jersey’s lemon law is on your side, but the clock is ticking.
Contact Robison Lemon Law Group for a free consultation to find out if you're entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash compensation. Let’s take the first step towards resolving your claim.
Request a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Our Lemon Law attorneys will strategically evaluate your situation and recommend the best course of action.Get a Free Case Evaluation
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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