Lemon Laws cover vehicle “nonconformities,” which is a fancy way of saying “defects.” Practically all new vehicles come with a written warranty that acts as a promise from the manufacturer to repair vehicles that exhibit a defect in materials or workmanship. If the manufacturer, by and through its authorized dealers, fails to repair any such defective component as promised, the company will have broken the promise that the warranty obligates it to honor. Thus, the defective component would be considered a “nonconformity” and would likely be covered by the Lemon Law.
Most states’ lemon laws apply only to consumer vehicles with nonconformities that substantially impair the vehicle’s use, market value, or safety. But the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers any consumer product that costs more than $10. Plus, this federal Lemon Law covers any warrantied defect, not just those that cause substantial impairment.