Get Compensation for Your Defective Vehicle
Buying or leasing a vehicle in Florida should give you peace of mind, not constant frustration. If your car keeps breaking down, spends weeks in the shop, or develops unresolved safety issues, it can leave you unsure about what to do next. The Florida Lemon Law exists to protect consumers in these situations and hold manufacturers accountable when warranty repairs fail.
If your vehicle has ongoing problems that are not being fixed, learning your rights and speaking with a lemon law attorney can help you understand whether Florida law may provide a path forward. You do not need legal experience to recognize when something is wrong, but knowing how the law works can make a frustrating situation more straightforward to navigate.
The law covers new vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and self-propelled motor homes. These vehicles must have been purchased or leased for personal use and still be under the manufacturer’s original warranty.
Vehicles that were used as dealer demonstrators and then sold as new may be covered. Leased vehicles are protected under the same rules as purchased vehicles, giving lessees rights if defects remain unresolved.
Certain certified pre-owned vehicles are protected if they are sold with a manufacturer-backed warranty. Defects that occur during the warranty period may qualify for remedies.
The Florida Lemon Law generally does not cover:
Used vehicles without an active manufacturer’s warranty
Motorcycles, mopeds, and off-road vehicles
Trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds
Vehicles primarily used outside Florida
“Lemon Law protects owners and lessees of vehicles with persistent defects.” –– Joseph Novel, Esq.
founding attorney
Understanding Florida Lemon Law means knowing who is covered, what defects qualify, and the process for getting relief. The law ensures that consumers are not stuck with a defective vehicle when the manufacturer fails to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts.
A defect may qualify when it seriously affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. In simple terms: the vehicle is not dependable, it is worth less because of the defect, or it puts people at risk.
What matters is the pattern. If the same issue keeps returning after warranty repairs, or the vehicle spends many days out of service, it may be time to explore a Lemon Law claim.
Lemon Law rights in Florida generally extend for the first 24 months after delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Defects must be reported to the manufacturer or dealer during this period for the law to apply.
The manufacturer must make a reasonable number of repair attempts, which is satisfied if:
The same defect has been repaired four or more times without resolution.
The vehicle is out of service for 20 or more cumulative business days due to warranty repairs.
Keeping detailed repair orders and service records is essential for proving your case. If the defect persists after reasonable attempts, you may pursue remedies under the Florida Lemon Law.
If defects remain after reasonable repair attempts, Florida law provides several remedies.
You may request a full refund, which typically includes the purchase price, sales tax, registration, and applicable fees. A deduction may be applied for mileage used before the defect was first reported.
The manufacturer may provide a replacement vehicle that is comparable in value, features, and options. The replacement must be free from defects that made the original vehicle a lemon.
In some cases, a cash settlement can compensate you for diminished value or persistent defects while allowing you to keep the vehicle.
A manufacturer buyback occurs when the manufacturer repurchases the vehicle under Lemon Law standards. Vehicles repurchased this way are often required to be disclosed if sold again.
If you want to understand how these cases are typically handled, you can see how we work, which explains the process step by step, from reviewing your car and repair history to handling all communications and pursuing the best outcome on your behalf.
The Florida Lemon Law presumes a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made if the same defect has been subject to repair at least three times plus a final manufacturer attempt and the problem still exists, or if the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days during the Lemon Law rights period. Keeping detailed repair records can support your Florida Lemon Law claim.
No. The Florida Lemon Law covers defects that substantially impair the use, safety, or value of your vehicle, even if it can still be driven. The law focuses on repeated issues and their impact on the vehicle’s regular operation. Even minor defects that occur frequently may meet the Florida Lemon Law criteria.
Repair orders, service invoices, warranty paperwork, and written communications with the dealership or manufacturer are essential for any Florida Lemon Law claim. These documents help prove how often repairs were attempted and how long your vehicle was out of service. Staying organized makes it easier to present your case if you pursue a claim.
Under the Florida Lemon Law Statutes (Section 681.104), after three failed repair attempts for the same defect, the consumer must send written notification by registered or express mail to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then has 10 days to respond and schedule a final repair opportunity at a reasonably accessible facility, and an additional 10 days to complete the repair after the vehicle is delivered. Failing to send this notice could affect your eligibility for remedies under the Florida Lemon Law.
The Florida Lemon Law Statutes (Section 681.104) entitle qualifying consumers to either a full repurchase of the vehicle including all collateral and incidental charges less a reasonable offset for use, or a replacement vehicle acceptable to the consumer. The manufacturer must act within 40 days and the consumer has an unconditional right to choose a refund over a replacement. If a board decision in the consumer’s favor is upheld in court, additional recovery may include attorney’s fees and continuing damages of $25 per day beyond the 40-day compliance period.
