Buying a new Land Rover Defender represents a significant investment in luxury and capability. However, when persistent mechanical issues plague your Land Rover Defender, Florida’s lemon law provides important consumer protections that every owner should understand.
Florida’s Lemon Law Explained
According to Florida’s Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, consumers have certain statutory protections when they purchase or lease new vehicle that turns out to have substantial defects. This law applies to all new vehicles sold in Florida, including premium SUVs like the Land Rover Defender, when they fail to conform to the manufacturer’s warranty despite reasonable repair attempts.
Is Your Land Rover Defender a Lemon?
To qualify under Florida’s lemon law, your Land Rover Defender must meet specific conditions. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Examples might include transmission failures, engine malfunctions, electrical system problems, or issues with the four-wheel-drive system. Minor cosmetic defects or issues that don’t significantly affect the vehicle’s operation typically don’t qualify.
The defect must also occur within 24 months following delivery or during the warranty period, whichever comes first. Critically, the manufacturer must have had a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem.
Florida law defines this as either three or more unsuccessful repair attempts for the same issue, or the vehicle being out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more days.
What Remedies Are Available?
When your Land Rover Defender qualifies as a lemon, Florida law entitles you to one of two remedies: a replacement vehicle or a full refund. A replacement must be reasonably identical to your original vehicle in terms of features and value. If you opt for a refund, you should receive the full purchase price, including taxes, registration fees, finance charges, and incidental expenses like towing costs or rental car fees incurred due to the defects.
The manufacturer may deduct a reasonable usage allowance based on the mileage accumulated before the first repair attempt, but this deduction should be proportional and fair.
Protecting Your Claim
Strong documentation forms the foundation of any successful lemon law claim. Maintain comprehensive records of every service visit, including repair orders, dates, detailed descriptions of problems reported, and work performed. Keep copies of all written communication with the dealership and manufacturer.
Florida law requires you to provide written notice to the manufacturer about the defect, giving them a final opportunity to repair it. Send this notification via certified mail with return receipt requested to establish proof of delivery and timing.
Time Limits and Considerations
Be aware that Florida’s lemon law includes a statute of limitations requiring claims to be filed within 60 months of the original delivery date. The law covers vehicles purchased or leased in Florida that are primarily garaged and operated within the state.
As I’m not a lawyer, I strongly recommend consulting with an attorney who specializes in lemon law cases. Many lemon law attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and if successful, the manufacturer covers your attorney fees.
Contact Bad Vehicle to Help Pursue a Land Rover Defender Lemon Law Claim
If you suspect your Land Rover Defender is a lemon, take action promptly by contacting Jonathan Schwartz with Bad Vehicle. Jonathan has over two decades of experience helping Florida consumers get the compensation they deserve through effective lemon law claims. Remember, Florida’s lemon law exists to protect your investment and affords certain rights when you discover your new vehicle is a lemon. Schedule your free lemon law case evaluation today.