Michigan Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Michigan Lemon Law

What Is the Michigan Lemon Law? Michigan's lemon law is the set of statutory protections enacted to give purchasers of defective new motor vehicles a clear process to seek repair, replacement, or repurchase when a manufacturer cannot fix a substantial safety defect or material nonconformity. The law is codified at Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.1401 et seq., and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division provides guidance for consumers on enforcement and dispute resolution see https://www.michigan.gov/ag/consumer-protection/ and the statute text at Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.1401 et seq.. The Michigan Lemon Law is consumer-protective in design: it places specific, objective thresholds on how many repair attempts or how many days out of service will give rise to a statutory presumption that the vehicle is a "lemon." When those thresholds are met, the manufacturer is required to either replace the vehicle or repurchase it refund. The law also requires manufacturers to provide an arbitration dispute resolution program, which affects how many consumers proceed when a problem persists. If you are unfamiliar with the general principles of lemon law, a useful overview is available at our resource on What is the Lemon Law?/resources/what-is-the-lemon-law/. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Michigan Lemon Law? Michigan's lemon law applies only to new motor vehicles. The statute's protections apply during the early service life of the vehicle and are tied to a limited coverage window: the first 12 months after delivery or the first 12,000 miles on the odometer, whichever comes first. Vehicles that are used at the time of first retail delivery i.e., previously titled or sold as used prior to the consumer's purchase are excluded from the statutory protection. The law typically covers passenger cars, trucks, vans, and other motor vehicles used for personal transportation that are sold or leased for personal, family, or household use. Commercial vehicles or those used primarily for commercial purposes may be treated differently; if you purchased a vehicle for business use, consult the statute and an attorney to determine coverage. Practical note: "New vehicle" generally means a vehicle sold to the first retail purchaser and not previously registered or used. If you purchased a certified pre-owned or used vehicle, Michigan's lemon law will usually not apply, but you may have warranty remedies under federal law or state consumer protection statutes. For help navigating options outside the state lemon law, see our guide on How to File a Lemon Law Claim/resources/how-to-file-a-lemon-law-claim/. How Many Repair Attempts Are Required in Michigan? Michigan's lemon law sets specific thresholds that create a rebuttable presumption the vehicle is a lemon. The two primary tests are 1 multiple repair attempts for the same defect, and 2 a certain number of days that the vehicle was out of service for repairs during the coverage period. Below is a concise table showing