Florida Lemon Law Guide
Buyer rights, coverage thresholds, and how to file a claim in Florida.
2 yr
Coverage Period
24,000
Miles
3
Repair Attempts
15
Days Out of Service
What Florida Lemon Law Covers
New motor vehicles only. The law protects buyers when a vehicle has a substantial defect that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Used Car Coverage in Florida
Florida lemon law applies only to new vehicles. Used car buyers may have rights under the Uniform Commercial Code implied warranty, but there is no separate used car lemon law.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify under Florida lemon law, a vehicle must meet at least one of the following thresholds within the coverage window:
| Criterion | Florida Threshold |
|---|---|
| Same defect repair attempts | 3 attempts |
| Out-of-service days (cumulative) | 15 days |
| Coverage window — time | 2 years from original delivery |
| Coverage window — mileage | 24,000 miles |
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Florida requires you to go through an arbitration or dispute resolution program before filing a lawsuit.
Florida requires you to go through the manufacturer's state-certified arbitration program or the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board before suing.
How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Florida
- 1
Document every repair attempt
Keep all repair orders with dates, mileage, and defect descriptions. You need written proof the same issue was reported and repaired multiple times.
- 2
Track out-of-service days
Record every day the vehicle was at the dealer for repairs. A cumulative total of 15 or more days can independently qualify the vehicle.
- 3
Send written notice to the manufacturer
Mail a certified letter to the manufacturer (not the dealer) describing the unresolved defect and requesting a final repair opportunity.
- 4
Use the dispute resolution program
Florida requires you to go through the manufacturer's state-certified arbitration program or the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board before suing.
- 5
File with the state agency or court
Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or file in Florida civil court. Bring all repair orders, purchase documents, and correspondence.
- 6
Collect your remedy
A successful claim results in a full refund or replacement vehicle. The manufacturer pays attorney fees in most states.
Lemon Law and Bill of Sale
If your vehicle was repurchased under lemon law, the title will carry a "Lemon Law Buyback" brand in most states. When selling this vehicle, you must disclose the lemon history on the bill of sale and title. Hiding this information is fraud.
Buyers seeing a "Lemon Law Buyback" brand on a title should expect a significant price reduction and obtain a full mechanical inspection before purchasing.
Florida Lemon Law — FAQ
- Does Florida lemon law cover used cars?
- Florida lemon law applies only to new vehicles. Used car buyers may have rights under the Uniform Commercial Code implied warranty, but there is no separate used car lemon law.
- How many repair attempts qualify in Florida?
- 3 repair attempts for the same defect, or the vehicle being out of service for 15+ cumulative days within the coverage period.
- Does private party sale trigger lemon law?
- No. Lemon laws in virtually all states apply only to purchases from dealers or manufacturers. Private party sales are buyer beware.
- What remedy can I get?
- A full refund (purchase price minus mileage offset) or a replacement vehicle. The manufacturer must also cover incidental costs and attorney fees in most states.