Got a Lemon? Minnesota has adopted a Lemon Law that protects consumers when they buy or lease a new car or truck. For vehicles that are found to be "lemons," the law provides for the repurchase or replacement of the vehicle by the manufacturer.
To take advantage of the Minnesota Lemon Law, you must be the original purchaser or lessee (one who leases), or someone to whom the vehicle has been transferred during the original warranty period of a new passenger vehicle, pickup truck or "self-propelled chassis or van portion of recreational equipment." You must use the vehicle for personal purposes at least 40% of the time. Finally, the defect in the vehicle must substantially impair the use, market value or safety of the vehicle.
The Minnesota Lemon Law covers problems that are reported to the manufacturer during the term of the manufacturer's warranty or during the first two years of the vehicle's life, whichever is earlier.
The manufacturer must at some point receive from the consumer, written notice of the problem and be given a subsequent attempt to repair the problem before you are eligible for a Lemon Law hearing. Written notice given to a dealer is considered valid notice on the manufacturer.
The Minnesota Lemon Law provides the manufacturer with a "reasonable number of repair attempts." In Minnesota, it is presumed that there have been enough repair attempts if the manufacture has tried to fix the same problem four or more times during the first two years of the vehicle's life. The presumption is also met if the vehicle is out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more days for repair.
Minnesota Lemon Law hearings are conducted in Minnesota by the Better Business Bureau. Consumers who think they may be eligible for a lemon law hearing should contact the BBB:
Better Business Bureau's Arbitration Program at 1-800-955-5100