Washington Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Washington Lemon Law

What Is the Washington Lemon Law? The Washington Lemon Law, codified at Wash. Rev. Code § 19.118.005 et seq., provides statutory remedies for consumers who purchase or lease new or still-warranted used motor vehicles that suffer repeated, unrepairable defects. The law is designed to protect vehicle buyers and lessees from recurring defects that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. Remedies under the statute can include repurchase refund or replacement of the vehicle, and the statute establishes procedural elements, thresholds, and notice requirements to pursue those remedies. Unlike choosing only to pursue a breach of warranty claim in court, Washington's Lemon Law creates a framework tailored to defective vehicles and includes a required manufacturer arbitration opportunity. The Washington Attorney General's Office enforces the statute and maintains resources for consumers on eligibility and the arbitration programs manufacturers must offer. For official guidance, see the Washington Attorney General's Lemon Law page at https://www.atg.wa.gov/lemon-law and review the statute at Wash. Rev. Code § 19.118.005 et seq. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Washington Lemon Law? The Lemon Law covers motor vehicles that are subject to a written warranty and that are purchased or leased primarily for personal, family, or household use. Coverage extends to new vehicles and to used vehicles that remain covered by the manufacturer's express warranty and fall within the statute's time and mileage limits. Specifically, the statutory coverage period is the earlier of 24 months after delivery or 24,000 miles on the odometer. That means a used vehicle can qualify if the consumer's purchase or lease falls within the 24-month/24,000-mile window of the original warranty or if the manufacturer provides a transferrable warranty that still applies. Commercial-use vehicles and vehicles not covered by an express warranty are generally outside the scope of the Lemon Law, although other consumer protection statutes or the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may provide alternative remedies in those cases. How Many Repair Attempts Are Required in Washington? Washington's Lemon Law sets objective thresholds that, when met, create a presumption that a vehicle is a lemon. The two primary thresholds are a number of reasonable repair attempts for the same defect and cumulative days the vehicle is out of service for warranty repairs. | Threshold type | Requirement | |---|---:| | Repair attempts for the same defect | 4 or more attempts by an authorized dealer or repair facility for the same nonconformity | | Days out of service | 30 or more cumulative calendar days out of service for warranty repairs | | Coverage window | Within 24 months from delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first | | Used vehicles | Covered if vehicle is still within the express warranty period or warranty has been transferred | | Manufacturer arbitration program | Manufactur