Alabama Lemon Law for New Vehicles

Vehicles Covered

• Under 10,000 pounds (lb.)
• Must be within the first two (2) years and under twenty-four thousand (24,000) miles

Qualifications
The vehicle may qualify if one of the following is true

• Vehicle must of had at least three (3) attempts at fixing the issue by an authorized agent.
• Vehicle has been in the possession of an authorized agent for thirty (30) without being fixed.

Malfunction
One of the following must be occurring with the vehicle in order to qualify as a manufacturer’s defect;

• Issue significantly impairs the use, value
• Significantly impairs the use, value or safety of the motor vehicle;
• Occurs or arises solely in the course of the ordinary use of the motor vehicle;
• Does not arise or occur as a result of abuse, neglect, modification or alteration of the motor vehicle not authorized by the manufacturer; and
• Does not arise or occur as a result of any accident or other damage to the motor vehicle that occurs or arises after the vehicle was delivered to the consumer by an authorized dealer.

Party at Fault
The manufacturer of the vehicle. The dealer or authorized retailer is not liable.

Compensation
The consumer may choose any of the following to remedy the issue;

• Replace with comparative vehicle
• *Refund the consumer for the vehicle price (with the manufacturer deducting a reasonable allowance for the time of usage) including government fees including; sales tax, registration, title, and any other taxes included in the purchase.

How to File a Lemon
If an owner of a vehicle has recognized that their vehicle qualifies as a lemon the following steps must be followed;

Step 1 – Send a certified letter to the manufacturer and demand correction or repair of the nonconforming condition.

Step 2 – The manufacturer must answer the letter within seven (7) calendar days stating a final repair that will be attempted on the vehicle in order to correct the issue.

Step 3 – The manufacturer may have the vehicle for up to fourteen (14) calendar days in order to repair the defect.

If the vehicle is not returned to the consumer within fourteen (14) days or the problem is not fixed the owner will be entitled to their choice of compensation from the manufacturer.

Failure to Compensate – If the manufacturer fails to grant compensation the Attorney General should be notified through the Complaint Form or the owner should hire an attorney.