Kokomo Lemon Law

Legally, no: Indiana's Motor Vehicle Protection Act applies the same four-repair-attempt and 30-business-day standard regardless of where the vehicle was built. Practically, however, the local fleet skews heavily toward Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge models powered by transmissions assembled in Howard County, so harsh-shift and shudder complaints are common. Employee-purchase plans also concentrate late-model vehicles in the area, which means many Kokomo owners are within the 18-month/18,000-mile term of protection when the first defects appear.

Indiana presumes a reasonable opportunity to repair after four attempts on the same nonconformity, or after the vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative business days within the 18-month/18,000-mile term of protection. The 30-day clock counts business days, not calendar days, and is extended for events like natural disasters and strikes. Keep every Howard County dealer repair order, including 'no problem found' visits, because each documented attempt counts toward the statutory presumption.

Civil actions under Ind. Code 24-5-13 are filed in Indiana state court, typically the circuit or superior court of the county where you live or where the selling dealer is located. For Kokomo residents that is the Howard County Circuit and Superior Courts at 117 N Main St. Before filing, you must complete the manufacturer's BBB AUTO LINE or other 16 C.F.R. Part 703-compliant arbitration program if one is offered, but the two-year statute of limitations is tolled while that process is pending.

Generally no. Indiana's Motor Vehicle Protection Act applies only to new motor vehicles. The narrow exception is a used vehicle still inside the original 18-month/18,000-mile window where the defect was reported during that window; the new owner can step into the original consumer's shoes. Employee-purchase Jeep and Ram trucks resold quickly sometimes fall into that exception. Otherwise used buyers rely on the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, or any written dealer warranty.

If the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts, you can demand a comparable replacement vehicle or a refund. The refund covers the total contract price including credits and trade-in allowances, sales tax, the unexpended portion of registration and excise tax, finance charges actually paid, dealer-installed options, and necessary towing and rental costs, reduced by a use allowance. The use allowance equals miles driven before the manufacturer accepts the vehicle return, multiplied by the contract price, divided by 100,000. Indiana does not authorize civil penalties, but prevailing consumers recover attorney's fees and costs.

Indiana requires that civil actions be commenced within two years of the original delivery date of the vehicle. Defects must have been reported within the 18-month/18,000-mile term of protection, although the four-attempt or 30-business-day determination can mature later. The two-year clock is tolled while you participate in a qualifying manufacturer informal dispute settlement program. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims have a four-year limitations period and sometimes provide a backstop if the state two-year window has expired.