Florida Lemon Law

Arbitration is a requirement in Florida.

The Motor Vehicle Sales Warranties Act, more commonly known as Florida’s Lemon Law, established arbitration boards throughout the State to hear and settle complaints between car manufacturers and owners.

There are two routes to arbitration in Florida, those of the individual manufacturers and that of the state. Each arbitration panel may take time and the consumer may not opt out of this procedure in resolving their lemon law case.

Read Chapter 12 Litigation, of Lemon Law, The Standard Reference Guide

Here is a summary of Florida lemon law.

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Florida Statute – §68.102(West)

Vehicles Covered:

Motor vehicles sold or used in-state used primarily for personal, family or household purposes that transports persons or property, including demonstrators and lease purchases with warranty. Excludes off-road vehicles, mopeds, and trucks over 10,000 pounds, the living facilities of recreational vehicles, and motorcycles.

Persons Covered:

Purchasers, transferees during express warranty period, or any person entitled to enforce the warranty.

Period Covered:

Two years after the original delivery date.

Notice Requirement:

(a) Manufacturer – provides list of service offices, written notice of claim procedure and all consumer rights under lemon law; itemized statement of repair if vehicle returned for defect. (b) Consumer – written notice to manufacturer by registered or express mail.

Repair Requirements:

It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been made if the same nonconformity is subjected to three plus a final attempt, or the vehicle is out of service for a cumulative period of 30 or more working exclusive of maintenance and a final ten day repair period.

Affirmative Defenses:

The nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, safety or market value of the vehicle, or is the result of an accident abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration by the consumer, or the claim is not filed in good faith.

Replacement/Refund:

At the consumer's option, the manufacturer shall replace with a comparable vehicle or repurchase the automobile and give the consumer a full refund minus a reasonable use allowance (defined).

Other Reimbursement:

Collateral and incidental charges; refund to the consumer and lienholder..

Other remedies:

Misrepresentation by the manufacturer is an unfair and deceptive trade practice. Damage action; attorney's fees. No limit to consumer remedies.

Arbitration:

For remedies under this action, a consumer must use an informal settlement procedure established by the manufacturer, provided the procedure complies with C.F.R.703. The consumer may also use the state arbitration board.

Resale of Lemon:

Full disclosure required. Manufacturer must warrant defect for one year or first 12,000 miles.

Disclaimer: Please note that statutes may have been amended since the book was originally published in 2005. Please consult your Secretary of State or local DMV office for the most recent and up to date statutes for the Florida Lemon Law.

The Standard Reference Guide

Lemon Law Book

Contact Information

Norman Taylor & Associates
A Professional Law Corporation
425 West Broadway, Suite 220
Glendale, CA 91204

Phone: 1-818-244-3905
Toll-free: 1-877-SOURCAR
Fax: 1-818-244-6052

Client Testimonials

"Thank you for everything

"The dealership kept shoving me out on a crutch, and wouldn't take me seriously without you. Complaining did nothing.

"Thanks for taking the hassle off my shoulders in dealing with my lemon. I barely have time to sleep, let alone deal with problems I shouldn't have to."
~Mike
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