What Qualifies for Georgia’s Lemon Law (GA)

In Georgia, a vehicle generally qualifies under the Lemon Law if it’s a new car, SUV, van, or light truck purchased or leased in Georgia and registered here, still within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first), has a defect that substantially impairs use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of chances to fix it—typically three attempts for the same problem, one attempt for a serious safety defect, or a total of 30+ cumulative days out of service—after you’ve given the manufacturer a final written opportunity to repair. Below is a detailed breakdown of what’s covered, what isn’t, and the steps you must follow to preserve your rights.

Who and What Is Covered

The Georgia Lemon Law is designed to protect consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that fail to conform to the manufacturer’s warranty within a defined early-ownership window. The following points outline the core eligibility criteria.

• New vehicles: passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks purchased or leased new in Georgia and registered in the state.
• Lemon Law rights period: defects must first be reported within 24 months from original delivery or 24,000 miles on the odometer, whichever occurs first.
• Substantial impairment: the defect (a “nonconformity”) must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety and be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Eligible owners: first purchasers/lessees and, if the vehicle is resold within the rights period, subsequent owners during that period.
• Demonstrators: dealer demo vehicles sold as “new” are treated as new for Lemon Law purposes.
• Small-business use: coverage can extend to certain small-business purchasers/lessees using light-duty vehicles, provided other requirements are met.

If your situation matches these criteria and the defect appears within the rights period, you may qualify—provided you also meet the repair-attempt thresholds and follow Georgia’s required notice and dispute steps.

What Defects and Repair Attempts Count

Georgia sets clear benchmarks for when the manufacturer has had a “reasonable number of attempts” to fix a problem. Meeting any one of these benchmarks can qualify you to seek a refund or replacement, after a final repair opportunity is provided.

• Three repair attempts for the same defect: if the same nonconformity is repaired (or attempted) three times and still exists or recurs.
• Serious safety defect: one unsuccessful repair attempt for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury qualifies for escalation.
• 30 or more cumulative days out of service: regardless of the number of defects, if the vehicle is in the shop for 30+ total calendar days for warranty-covered repairs during the rights period.
• Final repair opportunity: you must give the manufacturer written notice and a final chance to repair before seeking buyback or replacement.

Documenting each repair attempt and every day your vehicle is out of service is crucial; these records establish that the manufacturer has had a fair chance to fix the problem.

What Is Not Covered

Not every vehicle or defect falls under Georgia’s Lemon Law. The exclusions below help clarify common edge cases.

• Used vehicles outside the rights period: cars first reported with defects after 24 months/24,000 miles are not covered by the Lemon Law (though warranty rights may still apply).
• Motorcycles, motor homes, and off-road/ATV vehicles: these are not covered by Georgia’s Lemon Law.
• Heavier vehicles: trucks at or above a light-duty threshold (commonly 12,000 pounds GVWR) are not covered.
• Out-of-state purchases: vehicles not purchased or leased in Georgia are typically outside the law’s scope, even if later registered here.
• Abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications: defects caused by misuse, poor maintenance, or aftermarket changes are excluded.

If your vehicle or defect falls into an exclusion, Georgia’s Lemon Law is unlikely to apply, though other remedies (warranty, federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or general consumer protection laws) might still be available.

What You Must Do to Qualify and Preserve Your Claim

Following the process is as important as meeting the technical criteria. Georgia requires specific steps before you can demand a repurchase or replacement.

1. Report and repair promptly: bring the vehicle to an authorized dealer for warranty repair as soon as you notice the defect—especially within the 24 months/24,000 miles rights period.
2. Keep detailed records: save repair orders, invoices, dates, mileage in/out, and descriptions of the problem and attempted fixes.
3. Track days out of service: note every day the vehicle is in the shop for warranty-covered repairs.
4. Send a final repair request to the manufacturer: after meeting one of the repair/out-of-service thresholds, send written notice (certified mail is best) to the manufacturer demanding a final repair opportunity.
5. Allow the final repair attempt: the manufacturer must be given that last chance within the time frame it specifies (Georgia commonly requires prompt scheduling and completion).
6. Pursue dispute resolution: if the defect persists, use the manufacturer’s state-certified dispute program (if one exists) or file for Georgia’s Lemon Law arbitration through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

Missing steps—especially the final repair opportunity and timely filing—can jeopardize your claim, even if the defect and repair history would otherwise qualify.

Remedies and How They Work

When a vehicle qualifies and the process has been followed, Georgia’s Lemon Law provides two primary remedies, along with a structured path to get them.

• Replacement or refund: you can seek a comparable new replacement vehicle or a repurchase (refund) that typically includes the purchase price and certain taxes/fees, minus a reasonable use offset based on miles driven before the first reported defect.
• Incidental costs: towing and reasonable rental-car costs related to the defect are often recoverable.
• Arbitration: if the manufacturer refuses to replace or repurchase, you can pursue arbitration through a state-certified program or the state’s Lemon Law arbitration. Decisions can be binding, with limited appeal rights.
• Deadlines: Georgia imposes strict filing timelines after the rights period ends or after an informal dispute decision, so act quickly once the final repair attempt fails.

Understanding the refund formula, what’s included, and when to file can make the difference between a successful claim and a missed opportunity—consult the Georgia Consumer Protection Division’s materials for exact forms and timelines.

Practical Tips and Common Clarifications

These practical notes address frequent questions about qualifying and proving a Lemon Law claim in Georgia.

• Electric vehicles: EVs are covered as new motor vehicles; defects in batteries or drive units count if they substantially impair use, value, or safety and are under warranty.
• Subsequent owners: if you bought the car used but the first defect report was within the rights period, you may inherit Lemon Law rights when the vehicle is still within that period.
• Different defects vs. same defect: the “three attempts” rule is for the same defect; the “30 days” rule can be any combination of warranty-covered defects.
• Safety defects: document why an issue is a “serious safety defect” (e.g., brake failure, steering loss). One failed repair attempt can qualify you to escalate after the final repair opportunity.
• Communications: always communicate in writing with the manufacturer for the final repair request; keep copies and proof of delivery.

Good documentation, clear timelines, and careful written notices are often decisive in Georgia Lemon Law cases.

Where to Get Official Guidance

For official instructions, forms, and up-to-date details (including certified dispute programs and filing deadlines), consult the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division Lemon Law resources at: consumer.ga.gov/consumer-topics/lemon-law.

Summary

In Georgia, a new vehicle can qualify as a “lemon” if a warranty-covered defect substantially impairs use, value, or safety within the first 24 months/24,000 miles and the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of repair chances—three for the same problem, one for a serious safety defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service—after you’ve provided a final written opportunity to repair. The law primarily covers new passenger vehicles and light trucks purchased or leased in Georgia and registered in-state, excludes motorcycles, motor homes, and heavier trucks, and requires strict notice, documentation, and timely arbitration steps to secure a refund or replacement.

What are the requirements for the Lemon Law in Georgia?

In most instances to qualify under a lemon law your vehicle must only have an unreasonable repair history under the warranty, including (but not limited to) 3-4 repair attempts for the same problem, 6 repairs total on the vehicle, or 30 days out of service by reason of repair.

How hard is it to win a Lemon Law case?

The short answer: not as hard as you think. That is, if you know your rights and work with the right legal team. California’s Lemon Law is considered one of the most consumer-friendly in the country. It protects individuals who’ve purchased or leased a defective vehicle still under the manufacturer’s original warranty.

Do I need a lawyer for a Lemon Law case in GA?

After all, a Lemon Law case is simply a request to get a vehicle manufacturer to honor their warranty by refunding the cost of a defective vehicle. You should not need a Lemon Law lawyer for this, yet there are a number of Lemon Law attorneys practicing in Georgia.

Can I get a refund under Georgia’s Lemon Law?

If the manufacturer fails to repair a recurring problem after a reasonable number of attempts and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may apply for a state arbitration hearing. An arbitration panel may hear your complaint to decide whether you are entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund.