Oregon Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Oregon Lemon Law

What Is the Oregon Lemon Law? Oregon's lemon law, codified at Or. Rev. Stat. § 646A.400 et seq., provides remedies for purchasers and lessees of new motor vehicles that have substantial defects which the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. The statute is intended to protect consumers from repeatedly returning newly purchased vehicles for the same serious defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety. The Oregon statute defines the scope of protection, sets repair-attempt and out-of-service thresholds, and requires manufacturers to offer an arbitration program to resolve disputes. The Oregon Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Section, provides consumer guidance and enforces state consumer protection laws; their portal is a primary resource for Oregon residents see https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/. This guide explains which vehicles and defects qualify, the repair-attempt thresholds and time limits, the practical steps to preserve your rights, the typical remedies, and how state law interacts with federal warranty law under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. For complete statutory language, see Or. Rev. Stat. § 646A.400 et seq. Oregon Revised Statutes. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Oregon Lemon Law? Oregon's lemon law applies to new motor vehicles that are sold or leased in the state. The law explicitly covers new vehicles only — used vehicles are not covered under the Oregon lemon law program. Coverage begins on the date of delivery to the consumer and is limited by time and mileage. Under Oregon law the coverage period for lemon law protections is the earlier of 12 months from delivery or 12,000 miles on the odometer. The vehicle must be subject to a manufacturer’s express warranty and have a defect or condition that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety. Common examples include persistent engine stalling, braking failures, transmission malfunctions, or electrical failures that persist after multiple repair attempts. If you are unsure whether your vehicle is covered, check the express warranty documents and the delivery date, and consult the Oregon Department of Justice consumer information or a qualified lemon law attorney. You can also review general lemon law principles at What Is the Lemon Law/resources/what-is-the-lemon-law/. How Many Repair Attempts Are Required in Oregon? Oregon law specifies repair-attempt thresholds and an alternative out-of-service threshold. In general, a vehicle may be presumed a "lemon" when the manufacturer or its authorized dealer has been given a reasonable number of attempts to repair a substantial defect, which the statute quantifies for typical situations. Below is a quick reference table summarizing the key thresholds under Oregon law: | Condition / Threshold | Oregon Standard | |---|---:| | Repair attempts for the same defect | 4 documented repair attempts | | Out-of-service threshold | 30 cumulative calendar day