Get Compensation for Your Defective Vehicle
Michigan’s Lemon Law protects consumers who buy defective vehicles. It allows for a refund or replacement if the vehicle doesn’t meet quality and performance standards.
Passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and vans purchased or leased in Michigan, or by Michigan residents, that are covered by a manufacturer’s express warranty at the time of purchase or lease.
“Lemon Law protects owners and lessees of vehicles with persistent defects.” –– Joseph Novel, Esq.
founding attorney
Full refund, incl. taxes, fees, & remaining loan balance.
You’ll receive a new car of equal value.
Under the Michigan Lemon Law, your vehicle may qualify if it has a defect or condition that impairs its use or value, or causes it to not conform to the manufacturer’s express warranty. To be covered, you must report the defect either within the warranty period or within one year from the date of delivery to the original consumer, whichever comes first. If your car has been giving you repeated trouble, the Michigan Lemon Law gives you a real path to relief.
Under Michigan Lemon Law MCL 257.1403, a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made if the same defect has been repaired four or more times without being fixed, or if your vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days during the warranty period or within one year of delivery. Importantly, before pursuing a remedy, you must send written notice to the manufacturer by return receipt service, giving them one final opportunity of up to five business days to fix the issue. If your car keeps failing, the Michigan Lemon Law puts the burden on the manufacturer to make it right.
If your vehicle qualifies under the Michigan Lemon Law, the manufacturer must either replace it with a comparable vehicle or refund the full purchase price, including the cost of any options or additional charges. The refund is reduced by a reasonable allowance for use, which is capped at 10 cents per mile driven before the first report of the defect or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less. The Michigan Lemon Law also entitles you to reimbursement for towing and reasonable rental car costs if those were not already covered. Do not let the manufacturer shortchange you on what you are owed.
The Michigan Lemon Law under MCL 257.1401 applies specifically to new motor vehicles purchased by consumers for personal, family, or household use. Used vehicles are generally not covered under the Michigan Lemon Law, though you may still have options through the manufacturer’s express warranty, implied warranty protections, or the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, speaking with a Michigan Lemon Law attorney can help clarify your options.
Yes, and it is highly recommended. The Michigan Lemon Law has specific written notice requirements, repair attempt thresholds, and dispute settlement procedures that can be easy to get wrong on your own. If you win your case, the court may also award you attorneys’ fees and costs on top of your other damages, meaning legal help can often come at little to no cost to you. A Michigan Lemon Law attorney can make sure your rights are fully protected from the start.
