Alaska Lemon Law for New Vehicles

Requirements
New Vehicles that have been purchased for personal use, designed for on road travel, and have four wheels or more (except tractors) are protected by the Alaska Lemon Laws. A complaint must be filed within sixty days of the warranty expiration or twelve months of possession of the vehicle. Both of these time periods must be applicable for the consumer to enjoy the protection of the Alaska Lemon Laws.

Malfunctions
The Alaska Lemon Laws will only protect vehicles with a serious warranty nonconformity. That is, the warranty defect must severely impair the vehicle’s ability to function, compromise its safety, or drastically reduce its market value.

According to the Alaska Lemon Laws, the consumer must allow the manufacturer at least three attempts to repair the warranty malfunction. If the warranty malfunction resists these repairs or the vehicle is inaccessible due to a warranty defect repair attempt for thirty of more days, the consumer may invoke an Alaska Lemon Laws remedy.

Party At Fault
The manufacturer will be held responsible for the vehicle and compensation to the consumer unless it is proved the warranty malfunction is the result of a consumer’s actions (i.e. abuse, alterations, negligence).

Compensation
Consumers who have unknowingly purchased a lemon are entitled to a comparable replacement vehicle or a refund (adjusted for use of vehicle, consumer expenses, etc).

How To File
Step 1. Lemon Law disputes entail a wealth of evidence to support a vehicle owner’s belief he/she has purchased a lemon. In an effort to be well prepared a vehicle owner should organize a file of all documents generated by vehicle ownership along with a copy of each original document.

Step 2. A vehicle owner should make it a point to practice good record keeping especially if they have made a major purchase such as a motor vehicle. Once a vehicle exhibits signs of a warranty defect, consumers should make sure they are in the habit of maintaining a written log regarding anything having to do with the vehicle.

Step 3. Consumers should make sure that when it is time to contact the manufacturer, they document it in a provable fashion. Initial contact in such matters should be in the form of a written complaint and sent via registered mail with a return receipt request.

Step 4. A vehicle with a serious warranty defect that resists repair will cause a great deal of inconvenience (and possible danger) to the owner. If it becomes time to insist upon a replacement or refund, consumers are obligated to give the manufacturer one last chance to repair with the understanding that no other opportunities will be afforded. This should be done in writing. Consumers (at this point) should send a Final Notice to Repair, Replace, or Repurchase via registered mail to the manufacturer. A return receipt request should be made when sending this.

Step 5. Vehicle owners must consult their warranty often particularly, if the warranty defect is irreparable and the manufacturer has not made an effort to refund or replace. If the warranty lists a dispute settlement program approved by the Alaska Attorney General and is 16 C.R.F. 703 compliant, the consumer must engage in this program before pursuing more forceful methods.

Step 6. If all these steps have been satisfied the vehicle owner may file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau Auto Line Program.