There are few things more disappointing than buying a new car that has problems that you might only expect to have with an old clunker. Although it is maddening, the Wisconsin Lemon Law provides the owner with recourse.
The Lemon Law in Wisconsin is similar to the law in other states; the manufacturer is obliged to either replace the car or refund the purchase price, including taxes, finance costs, and collateral expenses such as rental car costs, provided however that the car is:
- Under warranty and less than a year old
- The serious defect was not rectified after four attempts0
- The fault resulted in non-availability of the vehicle for 30 days in total
There is no deadline for filing a claim if the car was purchased before March 1, 2014. If, however, the car was purchased after that date, the owner is given a three-year window of opportunity to file a claim; the period starts on the date the car was first delivered.
What vehicles are covered under the Wisconsin Lemon Law?
New cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motorhomes that have been purchased or leased are covered under the law. Vehicles that were not purchased in Wisconsin, mopeds, and trailers are not included.
Filing a claim:
To file a claim, certain substantiating documents need to be produced, including the signed repair order. The Department of Transport in the state provides a claim form that is used when requesting a replacement vehicle or refund of the purchase price. The vehicle manufacturer has 30 days to respond to the claim.
If the manufacturer is unwilling to meet your demand, you should consider engaging the services of a Wisconsin Lemon Law attorney. Seasoned attorneys understand the nuances of the Wisconsin Lemon Law and are better suited to negotiate an agreeable settlement.
The Wisconsin Lemon Law provides the new vehicle purchaser with legal recourse in the event it has serious problems that cannot be remedied. For more information and a listing of Lemon Law lawyers in Wisconsin, visit the website of Lemon Law America.
