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Lemon Law Attorneys Louisiana
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Understanding Louisiana Lemon Law
The Louisiana lemon law covers any car, van, or truck sold in Louisiana required to be registered and used for transporting passengers or goods for public, private, commercial or for-hire purposes.
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The lemon law also covers personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles still under warranty and used exclusively for personal uses. The lemon law covers the chassis and drive trains of motorhomes sold in Louisiana still under warranty.
Louisiana’s lemon law covers used vehicles, but does not cover motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more. It also does not cover motorhomes used exclusively for commercial purposes.
The Louisiana lemon law provides relieve to consumers buying vehicles for personal, family, or household purposes. The lemon law further covers those to whom the new vehicle is transferred during the duration of the vehicle’s warranty. The law covers anyone to whom a new vehicle is leased and anyone else entitled to enforce the warranty.
The lemon law covers vehicle “nonconformities.” Louisiana’s lemon law defines a nonconformity as “any specific or generic defect or malfunction, or any defect or condition that substantially impairs the use and/or market value of a vehicle.” If the vehicle does not conform to an applicable express warranty, the customer must report the nonconformity to the manufacturer within either the duration of the warranty or within year of delivery of the vehicle; whichever is sooner. Once the consumer reports the problem, the manufacturer or its authorized agent must make necessary repairs to conform the vehicle to the warranty.
If the manufacturer can’t repair the problem, the law requires them to repurchase or replace the vehicle. Before the manufacturer does so, however, the vehicle in question must be subjected to a “reasonable number of repair attempts.” The Louisiana lemon law defines that as four or more times for the same problem without success, or if the vehicle is in the shop for a cumulative 45 calendar days or more without successfully repairing the problem.
The Louisiana lemon law provides for a presumption that a reasonable number of attempts has been undertaken to repair the nonconformity. After the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 90 days for reason of repair, the manufacturer loses the right to rebut the presumption and must replace or repurchase the vehicle.
The Louisiana lemon law compels manufacturers to repurchase or replace a motor home if the consumer provides written notification of the need for repair. The consumer must also provide evidence the motorhome was out of service for at least 90 days because of the nonconformity, and evidence the nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times.
The lemon law compels manufacturers to reimburse the consumer up to $20 per day for a rental vehicle for the duration of the repair period of a nonconforming vehicle. This provision goes into effect as long as the nonconforming vehicle is still under warranty. The consumer must also bring the vehicle to the dealer from whom it was purchased for repair of a nonconformity. The repair period must also exceed ten working days or be the third attempt for the same issue to qualify for rental reimbursement.
If the manufacturer cannot repair the nonconformity, the Louisiana lemon law requires them to either repurchase or replace the vehicle. A manufacturer repurchasing a vehicle must repay the full purchase price, along with any amount paid by the consumer at the point of sale including finance charges. The manufacturer must also pay collateral costs, including sales taxes, license and registration fees, and similar governmental charges.
The manufacturer can withhold a reasonable allowance for use. That allowance is calculated depending on the amount the consumer uses the vehicle before the first notice of nonconformity or when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of repair.
The Louisiana lemon law says the reasonable allowance for use does not apply to replacement vehicles.
Before a manufacturer replaces or repurchases a nonconforming vehicle, Louisiana lemon law requires consumers to participate in “informal dispute settlement,” i.e. arbitration. If the manufacturer has established such a procedure, the lemon law’s provisions requiring refund or replacement do not apply until the consumer has first resorted to it.
For more information on arbitration and other frequently asked lemon law questions, click here
By pursuing a claim under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Louisiana consumers can hire lawyers who will represent them without the vehicle owner having to pay any attorneys’ fees directly out of their pocket. This is because the federal Act provides that the vehicle manufacturer shall pay the claimants’ reasonable attorneys’ fees if the claimant prevails against the manufacturer.
Lemonlawusa.org encourages vehicle owners with a lemon to hire a lemon law attorney. You can bet the car manufacturers have legal counsel at the ready to help defend against lemon law claims both in arbitration and in court.
Ross said those clients whose lemon law claims resolve in their favor – whether by winning in court or settling outside it – can use their awarded funds however they choose.
Clients who financed their vehicles and are still making payments when they file their lemon law claim must keep making their payments throughout the claim process. Falling behind on these payments can negatively affect the claim process. Luckily, the client can use their awarded funds from a successful lemon law claim to pay off what remains of their loan. Freed from this debt, they can find a new vehicle free of repeated, unfixable problems.
Clients who bought their vehicle outright or paid it off by the time their lemon law claim resolves can use their awarded funds as a down payment on a new vehicle. That client could also use the money to purchase a less expensive used vehicle. The choice lies entirely with the client.
The Louisiana lemon law covers used vehicles, but problems must be reported within one year following the vehicle’s original delivery to a consumer or within the vehicle’s express warranty term, whichever ends sooner. Almost every used car is purchased long after either of these two periods. Consult with a lemon law lawyer to determine if you have an actionable lemon law claim.
Both federal and state statutes of limitation can keep you from getting the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait, contact the offices of Allen Stewart P.C. today. Your consultation is free and you pay nothing out of pocket for representation.
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Louisiana Lemon Law FAQs
What is the Louisiana Lemon Law and how does it protect consumers? -
The Louisiana lemon law protects consumers by creating a legal framework they and their attorneys can use to pursue claims against their defective vehicle’s manufacturer. It explains what the state law considers a lemon and what consumers are covered.
What constitutes a "lemon" under Louisiana law? +
The Louisiana lemon law covers passenger motor vehicles and passenger/commercial vehicles sold in Louisiana for the purposes of transporting passengers or goods. It also covers personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles used exclusively for personal use sold or still under warranty after August 15, 1999, or the chassis or drive train of motor homes sold in Louisiana or still under warranty after August 15, 1999.
What steps should I take if I believe my vehicle is a lemon? +
Your first step should be contacting a qualified, experienced lemon law attorney to help with your lemon law claim. The lemon law experts of Allen Stewart P.C. can help you determine whether you have a valid claim and will advise you on what steps to take next to maximize your chances of a successful claim.
After reaching out to a lemon law attorney, you should gather up all paperwork connected to your purchase of the vehicle and the problems you’ve had since. This includes repair records and any photos or videos of the problems you’ve experienced.
Can I still file a Lemon Law claim if my vehicle's warranty has expired? +
Lemon laws rely on written manufacturer’s warranties as the basis for coverage. You have to prove the problem occurred during the warranty protection period. This is why promptly reporting any problem with the vehicle is vitally important.
What remedies are available if my vehicle is deemed a lemon? +
The Louisiana lemon law generally provides one of two possible remedies: repurchase or replacement. Repurchase is effectively a full refund for what you paid for your defective vehicle. Repurchase means the manufacturer repays the consumer the full purchase price of the vehicle, including the actual price, sales taxes, title, registration and other fees. This does not include interest, insurance costs or finance charges. The law also states the manufacturer must pay “reasonable incidental costs resulting from the loss of use of the motor vehicle.” Replacement involves the manufacturer providing a vehicle as identical as possible to the previous one – though hopefully without identical problems.
How long do I have to file a Lemon Law claim in Louisiana? +
Consumers must file a claim within either three years from the purchase date, or one year after the warranty period ends, whichever occurs later.
How can I track the progress of my Lemon Law claim? +
The attorneys at Allen Stewart P.C. will happily keep you up to date on the status of your lemon law claim.
Can I pursue a Lemon Law claim if I purchased my car from another state? +
You must pursue a lemon law claim under the laws of the state in which you purchased the vehicle in question. If you bought your vehicle in Louisiana, you would use the Louisiana lemon law.
What options are available if my vehicle does not qualify under Lemon Law? +
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your purchase there may be other options for you. The best way to know is by talking to the experienced lemon law attorneys of Allen Stewart, P.C.
Does the Louisiana Lemon Law cover issues caused by aftermarket modifications? +
No. Problems caused by the consumer, including aftermarket modifications, are specifically not covered by the Louisiana lemon law (or any other state lemon law, for that matter).
How do repair attempts impact a Louisiana Lemon Law case? +
Per the Louisiana lemon law, the manufacturer must be allowed four attempts to repair the defect.
Can I recover attorney fees and other costs under the Louisiana Lemon Law? +
Yes. The Louisiana lemon law states the consumer is entitled to “reasonable attorney fees” if a judgement is rendered in their favor.
What should I do if the manufacturer refuses to comply with Louisiana Lemon Law? +
You should immediately reach out to the qualified, experienced attorneys of Allen Stewart, P.C. They have combined decades of experience taking on automotive manufacturers who fail to uphold their end of their written warranties.
Can I get compensation for inconvenience or other expenses under Louisiana Lemon Law? +
The Louisiana lemon law requires manufacturers reimburse the consumer for $20 per day for a rental vehicle while the vehicle is in the shop for warranty-covered repairs for longer than ten days or if the vehicle has been subject to repair twice before.