When you drive off the dealer’s new car lot in your shiny and brand-new expensive vehicle, you have every right to expect that you are purchasing a reliable vehicle. The last thing you want to discover in the days, weeks, or months after your purchase is that you have purchased a lemon vehicle. Unfortunately, even with the technological advances of modern car manufacturing, a significant percentage of automobiles are simply lemon vehicles. If you bought a vehicle in the State of Alabama that seemingly cannot be repaired despite the fact you have given the manufacturer and its dealers a reasonable opportunity to fix your vehicle, then you may have a lemon vehicle which would entitle you to relief under the Lemon Law. Additionally, you may be entitled to a refund for the purchase price of your vehicle or a replacement vehicle. You may also be entitled to relief under the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act , otherwise known as the Federal Lemon Law. Either way, State and Federal Lemon Laws exist to provide Alabama consumers with protection should you be saddled with a defective vehicle.
What’s an Alabama Lemon Law vehicle?
While no automobile manufacturer guarantees that their vehicles will be defect free, all guarantee that if a defect arises during the duration of the warranty accompanying the vehicle that the manufacturer, by and through its authorized dealer network, will repair it. However, this guarantee would not be worth the paper it is written on, but for the protections afforded to Alabama consumers by virtue of the Alabama Lemon Law and federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. These Lemon Laws provide that if an automobile manufacturer, or manufacturer of other consumer product, fails to live up to their obligations to repair after being afforded a reasonable number of attempts or reasonable opportunity to do so, that the consumer is entitled to relief. In essence, if you have a vehicle that cannot be repaired, you may have a lemon vehicle on your hands.
How long am I covered under Alabama lemon Law?
Alabama state courts have recognized that you may pursue a claim for breach of warranty within four (4) years after the time the automobile manufacturer or manufacturer of any consumer product fails to repair. The Alabama Lemon Law, which is geared only towards motor vehicles, provides a shorter duration of three (3) years, but this law provides more specific and broader remedies should you be stuck with a lemon vehicle. Both of these laws require, however, that the problems with your vehicle must be reported to the manufacturer, by and through its dealers, during the duration of the warranty. The Lemon Law of Alabama also requires that to seek a refund or replacement vehicle that at least one (1) time during the vehicle’s first twelve (12) months or twelve thousand (12,000) miles that you provided the dealer with an opportunity to repair the nonconformity in your vehicle. Thereafter, the Lemon Law requires that to qualify for relief you must have given the manufacturer at least three (3) additional times to repair your vehicle, including a final repair attempt, during the vehicle’s first two (2) years or twenty-four thousand (24,000) miles, or the vehicle has been out of service for thirty (30) cumulative days.
