Understanding the “Lemon” Law in Utah
Buying a new vehicle should be fun and exciting. It’s a big investment, and choosing the right one matters. But what happens when your “new” car keeps breaking down? Multiple trips to the dealership and days without a vehicle can quickly turn excitement into frustration. That’s when Utah’s Lemon Law may offer protection.
What Is the Lemon Law?
We’ve all heard someone say, “That car is a lemon,” but what does that actually mean?
Utah’s Lemon Law, officially known as the New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act, exists to protect consumers who buy or lease new vehicles with substantial defects that cannot be repaired despite reasonable attempts. If a vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer may be required to replace the vehicle or refund your money.
How Do I Know If My Vehicle Is Covered?
To be eligible under Utah’s Lemon Law, the vehicle must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be new, not used. Used vehicles are generally not covered, even if they are still under warranty.
- Must be purchased or leased in Utah.
- Must still be under the manufacturer’s original warranty or within the first 12 months after delivery, whichever comes first.
- Must weigh under 12,000 pounds, which includes most passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
The law also applies to motorcycles and motorhomes (chassis portion only) sold for personal use.
What Counts as a “Lemon”?
The Lemon Law does not apply to every vehicle that needs repairs during the first year. It only applies to vehicles with significant defects or major system failures.
The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, safety, or market value—not just be an inconvenience.
Examples may include:
- Safety issues, such as brakes or steering problems
- Recurring engine failures
- Persistent electrical system malfunctions
- Major defects affecting resale value, such as extensive rust or structural damage
Issues caused by abuse, neglect, accidents, or aftermarket modifications are not covered.
What Counts as “Reasonable Repair Attempts”?
Before a vehicle can be considered a lemon, the manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair the defect.
In Utah, this typically means one of the following has occurred:
- The same defect has been repaired four or more times by an authorized dealer and the problem still exists; or
- The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for at least 30 total business days (not necessarily consecutive).
If you believe your vehicle may qualify, keeping detailed records is critical. Save all repair orders, dates, and dealer communications.
Steps to Take If You Think You Qualify
- Document every visit to the dealership, including the problem and what was repaired.
- Notify the manufacturer in writing and request assistance.
- Follow any required arbitration or dispute resolution process before filing a formal claim.
At this point, it may be wise to consult an attorney who specializes in Lemon Law cases.
What Remedies Are Available?
If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to:
- A replacement vehicle comparable to your original one; or
- A refund of the purchase price, minus a reasonable allowance for use.
Final Thoughts
Utah’s Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers from being stuck with a defective vehicle. As an automotive repair shop, we work on vehicles of all makes and models, and every vehicle can have its own issues. While we don’t take sides, we do believe manufacturers generally work hard to resolve problems. In our experience, it is rare to see a vehicle that truly meets the strict requirements to qualify as a “lemon.” With the amount of cars on the road less than 10,000 claims have been resolved since 2004 and is only estimated that 1% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. are “lemons”
sources-
https://www.dmv.org/ut-utah/automotive-law/lemon-law.php
https://commerce.utah.gov/dcp/education/car-purchases-and-repairs
https://assets.bbbprograms.org/docs/default-source/auto-line/statelemonlaws/utah-lemonlaw