The Lemon Law states that a manufacturer has a legal duty to repair a new motor vehicle. The Lemon Law does include newly-leased or demonstrator vehicles, and does not include motorcycles, RVs or mobile homes and program mobile homes. A "lemon" is defined as a new motor vehicle that has a defect which substantially impairs the use and/or market value of the vehicle, with defenses including defects caused by consumer abuse, neglect or unauthorized modification of the vehicle.

A lemon automobile is one which does not conform to the express warranty and cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts -- at least four repair visits to correct the same malfunction during the warranty period or within one year of delivery of the vehicle; or if the vehicle has been out of service for repair for a combined total of at least 30 days during the same period. If the defect still exists, the manufacturer may replace the lemon with a new vehicle or may give a full refund.

A buyer must first use the free mediation or arbitration procedures that the manufacturer has set up to deal with complaints. If all else fails, file suit with an attorney.

Source: Attorney General Richard P. Ieyoub and the Louisiana Auto Task Force.