Lemon Law Check — Does Your Car Qualify?

If your vehicle has been back to the shop repeatedly for the same warranty problem, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law. Check your car's official federal defect record below — free, 1 minute, no signup to see the data.

Quick answer: a car is typically a "lemon" when a substantial warranty defect survives 2–4 repair attempts, or keeps the car out of service ~30 days. Manufacturers pay the attorney fees in most states, so case evaluations are free for owners.
— or look up by model —

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this make, model, and year.

Free Case Evaluation

Answer a few questions and an independent lemon law attorney will review your situation at no cost. Strong cases usually involve repeated repair attempts for the same problem while under warranty.

Received — a participating attorney's office will reach out, usually within 1 business day. Keep your repair orders handy.

What makes a car a lemon?

Every US state has a lemon law. The details differ, but the pattern is the same: a substantial defect (something that affects use, value, or safety), covered by the manufacturer's warranty, that the dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts. Many states also count total days out of service — commonly 30 — toward qualification. California, Texas, Florida, and New York have some of the most-used statutes, and federal warranty law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) can apply on top of state law, including to many used vehicles still under warranty.

The single most important thing an owner can do is keep every repair order. Repair records showing the same complaint repeatedly are the backbone of a successful claim.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a car a "lemon"?

In most US states, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon when a substantial defect covered by the warranty persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts (commonly 2–4), or the vehicle has been out of service for a set number of days (often 30). Exact rules vary by state.

How many repair attempts do I need?

Most state lemon laws consider 2 attempts for a serious safety defect (like brakes or steering) or 3–4 attempts for other substantial defects a "reasonable" number. Keep every repair order — they are your evidence.

Does lemon law apply to used cars?

Sometimes. Several states (including California in many cases) extend protection to used vehicles still covered by the manufacturer's original or certified warranty. Federal warranty law (Magnuson-Moss) can also apply to used vehicles with active warranties.

What can I get if my car qualifies?

Typical outcomes are a repurchase (buyback) of the vehicle, a replacement vehicle, or cash compensation. In many states the manufacturer also pays the attorney's fees, which is why lemon law attorneys usually charge consumers nothing.

Does checking cost anything?

No. The defect lookup uses free federal NHTSA data, and the case evaluation is performed free of charge by independent lemon law attorneys.

Most-reported vehicles

Problem and complaint breakdowns, straight from federal records:

2017 Nissan Rogue2018 Nissan Rogue2019 Nissan Rogue2016 Nissan Altima2017 Nissan Altima2018 Nissan Altima2016 Nissan Sentra2017 Nissan Sentra2018 Nissan Sentra2016 Nissan Pathfinder2017 Nissan Pathfinder2018 Chevrolet Equinox2019 Chevrolet Equinox2020 Chevrolet Equinox2016 Chevrolet Cruze2017 Chevrolet Cruze2016 Chevrolet Malibu2017 Chevrolet Malibu2018 Chevrolet Malibu2018 Chevrolet Traverse2019 Chevrolet Traverse2019 Chevrolet Silverado 15002020 Chevrolet Silverado 15002017 Ford Escape2018 Ford Escape2020 Ford Escape2016 Ford Explorer2020 Ford Explorer2018 Ford F-1502021 Ford F-1502018 Ford EcoSport2019 Ford EcoSport2016 Ford Edge2017 Ford Edge2016 Ford Focus2017 Ford Focus2016 Ford Fiesta2017 Ford Fiesta2018 Hyundai Sonata2016 Hyundai Sonata2017 Hyundai Sonata2018 Hyundai Elantra2017 Hyundai Elantra2016 Hyundai Tucson2017 Hyundai Tucson2017 Hyundai Santa Fe2018 Hyundai Santa Fe2020 Hyundai Palisade2021 Hyundai Palisade2017 Kia Optima2018 Kia Optima2016 Kia Optima2016 Kia Sorento2017 Kia Sorento2017 Kia Sportage2018 Kia Sportage2016 Kia Soul2017 Kia Soul2017 Kia Forte2018 Kia Forte2020 Kia Telluride2021 Kia Telluride2016 Jeep Cherokee2019 Jeep Cherokee2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee2018 Jeep Wrangler2021 Jeep Wrangler2019 Jeep Compass2018 Jeep Compass2016 Jeep Renegade2017 Jeep Renegade2017 Chrysler Pacifica2018 Chrysler Pacifica2016 Dodge Charger2019 Ram 15002020 Ram 15002018 Honda CR-V2019 Honda CR-V2017 Honda CR-V2017 Honda Civic2016 Honda Civic2018 Honda Accord2018 Honda Odyssey2018 Toyota Camry2019 Toyota RAV42020 Toyota RAV42020 Toyota Highlander2018 Tesla Model 32021 Tesla Model 32021 Tesla Model Y2022 Tesla Model Y2018 Volkswagen Atlas2019 Volkswagen Atlas2018 Volkswagen Tiguan2019 Volkswagen Tiguan2019 Volkswagen Jetta2018 Subaru Outback2020 Subaru Outback2019 Subaru Forester2019 Subaru Ascent2017 GMC Acadia2018 GMC Acadia2018 Buick Enclave2016 Mazda CX-5

Carivo is an independent vehicle-data site, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. Defect data shown comes directly from federal NHTSA recall and complaint records for the matching make, model, and year. If you request an evaluation, your information is shared with an independent lemon law attorney or intake service so they can contact you; the evaluation is free and you are never obligated to proceed. Lemon law eligibility is determined solely by attorneys based on your state's statute and your repair history.