Pennsylvania Lemon Law

Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law (73 P.S. §§ 1951-1963) covers new motor vehicles, including demonstrator and dealer cars, purchased and registered in Pennsylvania for personal, family, or household use. Motorcycles, motor homes, off-road vehicles, and vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers are excluded. The defect must occur within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles of ownership (whichever ends first) and must substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety. Demonstrators are expressly covered. The law applies to both purchases and leases of qualifying new vehicles, but not to used cars sold by dealers (those have separate UCC and Magnuson-Moss remedies).

The Pennsylvania Automobile Lemon Law allows the manufacturer three attempts to repair the same defect. If the same nonconformity persists after three repair attempts, the manufacturer must repurchase or replace the vehicle. Alternatively, if your vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, you may demand a refund or replacement. You must report each defect to the manufacturer or an authorized dealer within the coverage period. Keeping copies of every repair order is critical evidence in a Pennsylvania lemon law claim.

No. Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law applies only to new vehicles (including demonstrators), not to used cars. However, used vehicles sold with any written warranty (such as the unexpired balance of a manufacturer's warranty or a dealer warranty) are protected by the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which permits recovery of attorney fees. Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law also covers misrepresentations and undisclosed defects on used-car sales, with treble damages available. Implied warranties of merchantability under the UCC apply unless validly disclaimed (for example, by a clear 'as is' notice).

Yes. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General confirms that the Automobile Lemon Law applies to both the purchase and the lease of new vehicles for personal, family, or household use. As a lessee, you can pursue refund or replacement remedies on the same terms as a purchaser. A refund typically returns capitalized cost reduction, monthly payments made, sales tax, registration, and similar charges, less the statutory mileage offset (capped at the lesser of $0.10 per mile driven before the first reported repair or 10% of the purchase price). Coordinating with the lessor's titleholder is part of the buyback process.

No. Pennsylvania does not require pre-suit arbitration. You may elect to use the manufacturer's informal dispute settlement program if it complies with federal regulations (16 C.F.R. Part 703), but you can also proceed directly to court in the Court of Common Pleas. Many consumers prefer to skip arbitration and file suit because the Lemon Law shifts attorney fees, expert fees, and costs to the manufacturer if the consumer prevails (73 P.S. § 1958), making representation accessible. Manufacturer-run programs vary in fairness; a qualified Pennsylvania lemon law attorney can advise on which path is best.

If your vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer must either accept return and refund the full purchase price (including collateral charges and finance charges) or provide a comparable replacement vehicle. The mileage offset is capped at the lesser of $0.10 per mile driven before the first reported repair or 10% of the purchase price, which is unusually consumer-friendly. Prevailing consumers also recover reasonable attorney fees, expert witness fees, and court costs under 73 P.S. § 1958. Pairing the Lemon Law claim with Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) allows for treble damages where deceptive conduct is shown.