- Eligibility: 3 unsuccessful repairs when at least first repair was within warranty, or 30 calendar days out of service within warranty.
- Resolution Attempt: Written notice to manufacturer (on provided forms) after third repair attempt, or 30 days.
- Arbitration must be held within 45 days after notice, during which time manufacturer has 1 final repair.
- State-run arbitration mechanism available.
Update: December 6, 2011
Your car is moving as slow as Vermont Maple syrup. Or maybe it’s been in the shop for what seems like forever for the same repair issue. You find that your mechanics are spending more time with your car than you are. If those sounds like issues you are dealing with, you may have a lemon. And Vermont has just the laws to help you out.
A representative at the Department of Motor Vehicles explained that in addition to having to have purchased or registered the vehicle in Vermont, demonstrating reasonable repair is a basic characteristic that a person must provide to be considered for a lemon law case.
“Reasonable repair is presumed to be one of two things,” she said.“There must be either 3 unsuccessful repair attempts and the symptom must still be presentor 30 days out of service within the warranty period.”
However, she added that these rules can be bent if a dealership says because of a characteristic safety issue, it cannot be repaired.
The representative explained that there are papers enclosed in Vermont-purchased vehicles, and also available online that people can fill out to send in a complaint. With more of a consumer-accessible process, she clarified that they don’t recommend attorneys.
The representative said that Vermont is a member of the International Association of Lemon Law Administrators, so to view updated statutes within the law visit IALLA.net.
For any questions or further information, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at (802) 828-2943.
