Get Compensation for Your Defective Vehicle
A Wisconsin Lemon Law Attorney can help you navigate Wisconsin’s Lemon Law, which protects consumers who purchase defective vehicles and provides an arbitration process that may lead to a refund or replacement.
“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 Wisconsin Lemon Law, a vehicle qualifies when it has a nonconformity that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety and is covered by an express warranty. Per Wisconsin Lemon Law 218.015(1)(f), a nonconformity does not include defects caused by abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications by the consumer. The Wisconsin Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers from exactly this kind of ongoing, unresolved problem, so if your vehicle keeps falling short of what the warranty promised, it’s worth looking into your rights.
The Wisconsin Lemon Law defines a “reasonable attempt to repair” under 218.015(1)(h) as either the same nonconformity being subject to repair at least 4 times without being fixed, or the vehicle being out of service for a cumulative total of at least 30 days due to warranty defects. Both conditions must occur within the express warranty term or within one year of first delivery to the consumer, whichever comes first. If your vehicle has crossed either of those thresholds, the Wisconsin Lemon Law gives you the right to demand a remedy from the manufacturer.
Once a reasonable attempt to repair has been established, the Wisconsin Lemon Law under 218.015(2)(b) entitles the consumer to either a comparable replacement vehicle or a full refund of the purchase price, including sales tax, finance charges, amount paid at point of sale, and collateral costs, less a reasonable allowance for use. The mileage deduction is capped by a formula based on miles driven before the defect was first reported. The Wisconsin Lemon Law puts the choice of remedy squarely in the consumer’s hands, so don’t settle for less than what you’re owed.
Yes, the Wisconsin Lemon Law extends coverage to consumers who lease a motor vehicle under a written lease. Under Wisconsin Lemon Law 218.015(1)(b)4., lessees are explicitly included in the definition of “consumer.” If a leased vehicle qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer must refund the amount the consumer paid under the lease plus sales tax and collateral costs, less a reasonable use allowance, and the lessor is relieved of any further obligations under the lease. If you’re leasing a vehicle that keeps having the same unresolved defect, the Wisconsin Lemon Law may entitle you to a full exit from that lease.
Yes, and sooner is better. The Wisconsin Lemon Law under 218.0171(7) allows a prevailing consumer to recover twice the amount of any financial loss, plus costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney fees, making legal representation well worth it. If a certified informal dispute resolution process is available, the Wisconsin Lemon Law requires you to go through it before filing a court action, and an attorney can help you navigate that process correctly. A Wisconsin Lemon Law attorney can make sure your documentation is solid, your deadlines are met, and your claim is positioned for the best possible outcome.
