New Jersey Lemon Law Guide
Buyer rights, coverage thresholds, and how to file a claim in New Jersey.
2 yr
Coverage Period
24,000
Miles
3
Repair Attempts
20
Days Out of Service
What New Jersey Lemon Law Covers
Passenger automobiles, farm tractors, authorized emergency vehicles, and motorcycles (as defined in R.S.39:1-1) purchased or leased in New Jersey or registered with the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission; excludes the living facilities of motorhomes (though a motorhome as a unit is covered, with a separate 45-calendar-day out-of-service threshold). N.J.S.A. 56:12-30.. 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 New Jersey
Yes. N.J.S.A. 56:8-67 through 56:8-77 (P.L.1995, c.373), the NJ Used Car Lemon Law, requires dealers to provide minimum written warranties: 90 days or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) for vehicles with 24,000 miles or fewer; 60 days or 2,000 miles for vehicles with more than 24,000 but fewer than 60,000 miles; 30 days or 1,000 miles for vehicles with 60,000 or more miles. A consumer may waive the warranty on a vehicle with over 60,000 miles as a result of price negotiation (N.J.S.A. 56:8-73). The law does not apply to: vehicles sold for less than $3,000; vehicles that are over seven or more model years old (statutory text N.J.S.A. 56:8-76); vehicles that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company and disclosed as such in writing to the consumer at or prior to sale; or vehicles with more than 100,000 miles. N.J.S.A. 56:8-76.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify under New Jersey lemon law, a vehicle must meet at least one of the following thresholds within the coverage window:
| Criterion | New Jersey Threshold |
|---|---|
| Same defect repair attempts | 3 attempts |
| Out-of-service days (cumulative) | 20 days |
| Coverage window — time | 2 years from original delivery |
| Coverage window — mileage | 24,000 miles |
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
New Jersey does not require arbitration before filing a lawsuit, but it can be faster and cheaper.
No arbitration is required before suing. A consumer 'shall not be required to participate in a manufacturer's...informal dispute settlement procedure or the division's summary hearing procedure before filing an action in the Superior Court' (N.J.S.A. 56:12-39). The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers an optional state summary hearing conducted by the Office of Administrative Law; if a consumer elects that route, a written notice sent to the manufacturer by certified mail return receipt requested (the 56:12-33(b) notice) is a statutory prerequisite to filing with the DCA (N.J.S.A. 56:12-37(a)). If the Division issues a decision, it precludes a separate Superior Court action under the lemon law (N.J.S.A. 56:12-39). Manufacturers that offer their own informal dispute settlement program under 15 U.S.C. § 2310 must comply with the specific procedural requirements of N.J.S.A. 56:12-36; consumer participation in such a program is voluntary.
How to File a Lemon Law Claim in New Jersey
- 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 20 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
No arbitration is required before suing. A consumer 'shall not be required to participate in a manufacturer's...informal dispute settlement procedure or the division's summary hearing procedure before filing an action in the Superior Court' (N.J.S.A. 56:12-39). The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers an optional state summary hearing conducted by the Office of Administrative Law; if a consumer elects that route, a written notice sent to the manufacturer by certified mail return receipt requested (the 56:12-33(b) notice) is a statutory prerequisite to filing with the DCA (N.J.S.A. 56:12-37(a)). If the Division issues a decision, it precludes a separate Superior Court action under the lemon law (N.J.S.A. 56:12-39). Manufacturers that offer their own informal dispute settlement program under 15 U.S.C. § 2310 must comply with the specific procedural requirements of N.J.S.A. 56:12-36; consumer participation in such a program is voluntary.
- 5
File with the state agency or court
Contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs or file in New Jersey 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.
New Jersey Lemon Law — FAQ
- Does New Jersey lemon law cover used cars?
- Yes. N.J.S.A. 56:8-67 through 56:8-77 (P.L.1995, c.373), the NJ Used Car Lemon Law, requires dealers to provide minimum written warranties: 90 days or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) for vehicles with 24,000 miles or fewer; 60 days or 2,000 miles for vehicles with more than 24,000 but fewer than 60,000 miles; 30 days or 1,000 miles for vehicles with 60,000 or more miles. A consumer may waive the warranty on a vehicle with over 60,000 miles as a result of price negotiation (N.J.S.A. 56:8-73). The law does not apply to: vehicles sold for less than $3,000; vehicles that are over seven or more model years old (statutory text N.J.S.A. 56:8-76); vehicles that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company and disclosed as such in writing to the consumer at or prior to sale; or vehicles with more than 100,000 miles. N.J.S.A. 56:8-76.
- How many repair attempts qualify in New Jersey?
- 3 repair attempts for the same defect, or the vehicle being out of service for 20+ 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.