Do you own a motorcycle, boat, or RV that might be a lemon and don’t know where to turn?
Perhaps you’ve heard about lemon laws in your state, but you aren’t certain if they apply to other vehicles besides cars and trucks.
Although the specifics differ greatly from state to state, many states’ lemon laws now extend to non-automotive vehicles such as boats, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles. It’s important to note that some states only provide limited coverage or may not cover these vehicles. A lemon law attorney who knows your state’s laws and can use federal law to pursue your claim if your state does not cover it is your best chance at compensation.
Key point: Normally, a state’s lemon law is structured in this way:
To be considered a lemon, the vehicle must have a major flaw that is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and must have happened within a specific period or mileage limit. You must have tried getting the car fixed more than once without success. Depending on the nature of the problem and the amount of time the car is out of commission, this can amount to two or even four attempts at fixing the problem.
Your lemon law attorney will review your motorcycle, boat, or RV claim and determine how it applies against your state’s lemon laws and any additional requirements your claim must satisfy.
Let’s take a look at the lemon laws in several states across the country to give you an idea about how they cover defective RVs, boats and motorcycles. If those coverages are in any way lacking, we will discover how attorneys such as Allen Stewart, P.C. can help you by pursuing your case using the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal law).
For more information on arbitration and other frequently asked lemon law questions, click here.
Texas
The law primarily covers new vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles, purchased or leased in Texas. It also covers ATVs, towable recreational vehicles (TRVs), neighborhood electric vehicles, and motor homes. The lemon law in Texas does not cover boats.
Please note: Used vehicles are generally not covered unless still under the original manufacturer’s warranty, and they satisfy specific conditions. We recommend you consult Allen Stewart, P.C., so we can evaluate your particular circumstances.
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you may be entitled to either a replacement vehicle of equal value or a full refund of the purchase price, including taxes and fees, minus a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
The nuances of the law as it applies to motorcycles might include proving that the defect was substantial enough to impair its use, safety, or value (due to a motorcycle’s design differences versus other vehicles). Also, with motorhomes, the drive portion (engine, chassis) is where the law usually applies, but your attorney will review your case to determine if potentially the “house” portion could be part of your claim.
All of these requirements can be hard to understand. Consult Allen Stewart, P.C., and we’ll review your claim to clarify how state and federal laws can protect your rights.
California
California’s Lemon Law, part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, extends not only to cars and trucks but also to motorcycles, RVs, and boats. They need to have been purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use and are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
The boat coverage applies to motorized and unmotorized boats, including jet skis, catamarans, yachts, motorboats, pontoon boats, pleasure craft, and more.
The California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, commonly known as the Lemon Law, will protect you if you purchase or lease boats and other vehicles that are substantially defective and fail to be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Allen Stewart, P.C. has represented many clients in California lemon law cases and offers you a positive pathway to receiving the compensation you deserve.
Allen Stewart, P.C. encourages you to schedule a free consultation (866-440-2460) regarding your California boat, motorcycle or RV lemon law claim. Or you may contact us online.
New York
You’ll benefit from a lemon law attorney’s expertise when pursuing a claim for a lemon boat, motorcycle or RV in New York. New York doesn’t cover boats in its state lemon laws. But don’t be concerned, it’s possible to review your defective boat claim against the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Allen Stewart, P.C. can review your case and determine if the federal law can help you.
New York’s lemon law covers motorcycles, but not off-road vehicles. Allen Stewart, P.C. encourages you to contact us (866-440-2460) to discuss your case, as warranties, mileage and other factors will play into your potential claim.
New York does offer lemon law protections for new and used RVs/motorhomes, but only for the chassis, engine, and mechanical components—not the living quarters. Our attorneys can help you navigate these laws and requirements should you have a defective RV/motorhome, to determine if you have a valid claim.
Don’t worry if all of this information sounds confusing. We can potentially pursue your claim via the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act because it covers the entire product and isn’t constrained like state lemon laws. We have won many lemon law cases via the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and this law requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney costs.
Call Allen Stewart, P.C. today at 866-440-2460, or contact us online for a free consultation.
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Why You Need a Lemon Law Attorney
As we have seen, the above states and others across the country follow some similar patterns with their lemon law protections, yet they can vary from state to state. To help ensure that your claim is pursued in an accurate and timely fashion, it’s recommended that you take advantage of the knowledge and experience a lemon law attorney provides.
Lemon laws are confusing. Read our guide to the lemon law complaint process.
Earlier we mentioned how federal law, specifically the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, can be an important factor in your attorney’s fight for your rights. Your attorney knows all the ways this law can be used to get you the compensation you deserve. Allen Stewart, P.C. summarizes the law’s basis:
“The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law and therefore applies across the United States of America. Lemon laws differ across the United States in the extent to which they protect consumers, but Magnuson-Moss is universal across the nation. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also forces manufacturers to pay the claimant’s attorney’s fees if the claimant prevails against the manufacturer. State lemon laws vary across the country as to whether or not a successful claimant can recover their attorney’s fees from the manufacturer.”
With the protections provided by your state’s lemon laws (which your attorney will review to determine if you have a valid claim) and the federal law, your attorney can give you the best opportunity to pursue just compensation for your defective boat, RV, or motorcycle.
Allen Stewart, P.C: Trusted Experience for All of Your Lemon Law Claims
Whether you own a boat, motorcycle, RV, car, pickup truck, or other vehicle, Allen Stewart, P.C. is your trusted lemon law attorney. We have won compensation for clients in multiple states who were frustrated by defective vehicles and could not get them fixed or receive compensation before contacting us.
In our experience, we’ve seen that people may not know if consulting an attorney is necessary in their situation. With our free consultation, you can eliminate the guesswork and have us determine if you have a valid claim. If so, we can discuss how we would pursue your case (if you wish) and the potential compensation you could receive, depending on the type of vehicle you own and its specific problems.
There’s one certainty in lemon law cases: the manufacturer is not motivated to provide you with maximum compensation. They will bring their legal team to bear to try and minimize your claim or prove that it is invalid. Allen Stewart, P.C.’s attorneys are well-acquainted with the tactics manufacturers use to keep you from receiving a refund or a replacement vehicle.
Time is of the essence in lemon law cases. Don’t wait. Put our knowledge and expertise to work to have the best opportunity to receive the compensation you deserve. Call Allen Stewart, P.C. today at 866-440-2460, or contact us online.