Georgia Lemon Law

[MarvBear]

Information from NADA Title & Registration Textbook 2004

 

Georgia Lemon Law

 

Covered are New Motor Vehicles primarily designed for transportation of persons or property over public highways, and purchased, leased or registered by the original consumer in Georgia after June 30, 1990. The new motor vehicle title can only be issued to the purchaser or the lessor without having been previously issued to any person other than the selling dealer. The term New Motor Vehicle also includes the self-propelled vehicle and chassis of motor homes, but does not included those portion of the motor home that are designated, used, or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or commercial space; the term New Motor Vehicle also includes demonstrator vehicles, as long as the manufacturer’s warranty is provided. Not covered are vehicle purchased or leased as used; vehicles where the title and other transfer documents show used; motorcycles; trucks with 10,000 lbs. or more GVWR; any vehicle titled to any person, other than the selling dealer, before being titled to the purchaser or lessor. Covered nonconformities (defects) include any defect, serious safety defect, or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a new motor vehicle to the consumer, but does not included a defect or condition that is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration. You have the right to request a repurchase or replacement vehicle from the manufacturer, if the manufacturer is unable to correct or repair a defect(s) after a reasonable number of repair attempts and a final opportunity to repair. The first repair attempt must be established within the lemon law rights period, which means the period ending one year after the original delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer or the first 12,000 miles of operation after delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever occurs first. Once you have established the first repair attempt within the lemon law rights period for the defect(s) you are concerned about, you must establish any remaining repair attempts within the extended period of time of 23 months or 24,000 miles from the first repair attempt. A reasonable number of repair attempts can be accomplished in the following ways: (1) If there is a serious safety defect in the braking or steering system, you must have had at least one repair attempt within the lemon law rights period of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. (2) If the defect is any other serious safety defect, you must have had a least two repair attempts, one of which was within the lemon law rights period of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first and the second of which must occur within the extended period of 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, of the first attempt. (3) If the vehicle has any other defect or condition (no “serious safety”), you must have had at least three repair attempts, one of which was during the lemon law rights period of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The second and third attempts must occur within the extended period of 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, of the first repair attempt. (4) The reasonable number of repair attempts can also be established if you vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair for one or more defects for a cumulative total of 30 calendar days, at least 15 of those days within the lemon law rights period of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. All 30 days must have occurred within 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, of the first repair attempt. If the defect(s) continue(s) to exist after you have accomplished the reasonable number or repair attempts you must allow the manufacturer an opportunity to make a final repair attempt. For additional information please contact the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs, 2 M.L. King, Jr. Dr., Ste. 356, Atlanta, GA 30334