Author: Robert Bradley

Arizona is a desert, so it doesn’t have the same issues with snow and ice as other states do. But that doesn’t mean Arizonans are immune to vehicle malfunctions. If you’re having problems with your car or truck, see if your vehicle is a lemon then you may be able to take advantage of Arizona’s Lemon Law protections. The law applies to new vehicles purchased in Arizona, which have defects that substantially impair their use, value, or safety for a reasonable time after purchase.

Once you qualify as an owner-lessee under the Lemon Law, it’s your vehicle and not the dealership’s problem anymore. You will be protected from lease payments until the problem is fixed or until you choose to return the car and get a refund of your purchase price. Here’s what you need to know about Arizona’s Lemon Law:

The Law Applies Only for New, Not Used Vehicles Purchased in Arizona

Hence the name Arizona Lemon Law, this protection applies only to new vehicles purchased in Arizona. If you bought your car elsewhere and brought it into the state, you’ll have to check other jurisdictions’ lemon laws for potential remedies.

If You Find Out Your Vehicle is a Lemon

First of all, don’t panic if you find out your car qualifies as a lemon. The law requires you to notify the manufacturer within 18 months of your vehicle’s purchase date, but there are some exceptions to this rule depending on what type of defect plagues your car or truck.

The Manufacturer Must be Given Notice of Your Problem If You Want to Use Arizona’s Lemon Law

You don’t have much time once you find out about your vehicle’s defect, so notify your manufacturer immediately. You can start by contacting the dealer that sold you the car. Still, it will be easier if you call or write directly to the vehicle’s manufacturer and give them a chance to fix your problem first before going any further with Arizona’s Lemon Law process.

The Manufacturer Must Provide Repairs for Your Vehicle Under Arizona’s Lemon Law

You can get peace of mind since you and your manufacturer will stay in constant contact throughout the entire process. It would be best to argue that your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Arizona’s Lemon Law. The law itself doesn’t specify how long the manufacturer has to fix your car, but you can probably expect it will be between 30 and 60 days.

If Your Manufacturer Doesn’t Want to Fix Your Vehicle Under Arizona’s Lemon Law

Your car isn’t getting any better, so don’t let yourself get bullied by the dealer or manufacturer into accepting anything less than what you’re entitled to under Arizona’s Lemon Law.

If your manufacturer doesn’t want to fix the defect, you can request a replacement vehicle or get a refund of your purchase price up to $4500 (which is what it was at the time this article was written). You won’t be able to recover any extra damage once an alternative vehicle has been provided.

The Manufacturer Must Prove That Your Vehicle Doesn’t Qualify as a Lemon Under Arizona’s Law

If your car or truck qualifies as a lemon, you have the right to request that the manufacturer reimburse you for expenses related to fixing it during its time under warranty. The manufacturer will cover all associated costs with keeping your vehicle running properly, regardless of whether the repairs are attempted at a franchised or independent repair facility.…