Utah Lemon Law

Utah's New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act covers new motor vehicles — including motor homes and leased vehicles — sold or registered in Utah and still within the manufacturer's express warranty or the first one year/12,000 miles, whichever comes first. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, market value, or safety, and you must have given the manufacturer or its authorized dealer a reasonable opportunity to repair. Vehicles used primarily for business at a commercial scale, off-road vehicles, mopeds, motorcycles, and farm tractors are generally outside the Act. Used vehicles past the original factory warranty are not covered by the Lemon Law itself — you would normally rely on the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act.

Utah Code § 13-20-5 presumes a reasonable number of repair attempts has been made when, within the manufacturer's express warranty term or the first year following delivery (whichever is earlier), the same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times and still exists, or the vehicle has been out of service for repair for a cumulative 30 or more business days. The presumption applies only if the manufacturer has received prior written notice from you and at least one opportunity to cure. Time periods are tolled while repair services are unavailable due to war, strike, fire, flood, or other natural disaster.

Generally no. Utah's Lemon Law applies to new motor vehicles within the original manufacturer's warranty or the first year/12,000 miles. A used vehicle that is still inside that original-warranty window can qualify, but Utah does not have a separate used-car lemon law for vehicles sold beyond the factory warranty. Most used-car defect claims in Utah proceed under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (where any written or implied warranty exists), under Utah's Consumer Sales Practices Act for deceptive sales, or as breach-of-warranty actions under Utah's UCC. A signed "as-is" disclaimer can sharply limit those theories.

Yes. The Act was amended in 1990 to specifically cover leased vehicles and motor homes. A lessee may invoke the same repair, replacement, or repurchase remedies as a purchaser. On a repurchase, the manufacturer must refund the full price (including collateral charges), less a reasonable allowance for use, and the refund is apportioned among the lessee, the lessor, and any lienholder. Lease payments and any down payment paid by the lessee are reimbursed. The lessee must meet the same repair-attempt and notice requirements and — if applicable — first complete the manufacturer's certified informal dispute settlement procedure before suing.

The Utah statute does not set its own statute of limitations. Most courts apply Utah's UCC four-year warranty limitations period (Utah Code § 70A-2-725) running from the date of delivery, but the practical filing window is much shorter: nearly all repair-attempt and out-of-service triggers must occur within the manufacturer's express warranty or the first year/12,000 miles. Because that one-year coverage period is so short, consumers should file with the Division of Consumer Protection or pursue arbitration well before the warranty period ends. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims have their own four-year window from delivery.

Often yes. Under Utah Code § 13-20-6, if the manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 703 and is approved for use in Utah, the consumer must first use that procedure before filing a civil action. Many automakers use BBB AUTO LINE for that purpose. In addition, the Utah Division of Consumer Protection investigates and evaluates the claim under § 13-20-4 before suit is filed. If no certified program covers your manufacturer, you may proceed directly to district court after the Division's review.

If you prevail, the manufacturer must either replace the vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle or accept return and refund the full purchase price (including sales tax, license fees, registration fees, and other collateral charges), less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use. Successful court claims also allow recovery of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Utah's Lemon Law does not authorize multiplied or punitive damages on its own. Consumers who want broader monetary relief often add a claim under the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act or the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.