When those buying vehicles in Ohio decide to purchase new cars and trucks, they expect them to be in pristine condition. Most new vehicles are aesthetically and mechanically sound, but occasionally people purchase lemons.
Vehicles that are lemons should be brand-new, but have significant defects. A lemon vehicle does not technically conform to the manufacturer’s warranty because of the issues with it, and the buyer is left with an expensive vehicle that does not suit their needs and may not be safe to drive.
State law in Ohio protects car buyers when a vehicle that should be in perfect condition has significant defects. What options does a motorist have when their new vehicle turns out to be a lemon?
The right to cost-free repairs
Typically, the first and most important form of recourse available after purchasing a lemon is free repairs performed by the dealership. The buyer returns the vehicle to the dealership for repairs.
The dealership then has an opportunity to replace defective components or otherwise address the problems with the vehicle. Unfortunately, lemons are lemons in part because repairs are not simple. What are the options when the dealership cannot repair a damaged vehicle?
The right to request a refund or replacement
In scenarios where the dealership has attempted to repair the vehicle but failed to do so, the buyer then has two options available to them under Ohio state law. They can either ask the dealership to replace the defective vehicle with another new vehicle that does not suffer from the same issues.
They can also request a refund of the amount they paid to acquire a vehicle from a different dealership or manufacturer. Either solution can be a good option depending on the needs of the buyer and how much faith they have in the manufacturer after receiving a lemon from the dealership.
Those working at dealerships often count on buyers being unaware of their rights under Ohio lemon laws. They may try to trick people into paying for repairs or insist that they have to keep the vehicle that does not meet basic manufacturing standards. They may claim that the buyer does not have a right to a refund or may try to reduce the refund issued.
Those dealing with Ohio lemon law issues often need support evaluating their situation and communicating with the dealership. Seeking out support as soon as it becomes apparent that a new vehicle might be a lemon can help consumers obtain the best outcome possible under the circumstances.