Jacksonville, Florida
When you purchase a new vehicle, you have the expectation that the car, truck, or SUV will provide years of reliability and trouble-free transportation, especially in the first year or two of ownership. It seems reasonable to think that you will not be back to the dealership for anything but routine service for a few years, so you are caught off guard when you notice a feature that is not working, like the air conditioner or ventilated and cooled seating that is a critical feature and reason you purchased this vehicle. Living in Jacksonville, Florida, comfort in the summer is essential.
After a trip to the dealership for repairs, you hope that your issues are behind you and you can fully embrace and enjoy the trouble-free experience of new car ownership. But those hopes slip away from you as you sit uncomfortably in your vehicle the next afternoon because the AC is still not working. This scenario sounds hard to believe, but in the case of a Jacksonville lemon vehicle, it is all too true. While the issue might not be related to the climate control, you could be the owner of a Florida lemon if the dealership cannot repair an ongoing problem and you have become frustrated enough to want to return the vehicle to the manufacturer or obtain a replacement.
If you find yourself wondering about the Florida Lemon Law, please take a moment to contact Jonathan Schwartz, the leading Lemon Law Lawyer in Jacksonville and the state. He is ready to provide a free case evaluation and put his two decades of expertise to work for you if you are, in fact, the owner of a Florida Lemon.
Understanding the Qualifications Of A Jacksonville Lemon Vehicle
Being forced to return to the dealership where you recently purchased a new car, truck, or SUV for vehicle repairs can be frustrating. But there are clear and concise qualifications any vehicle must meet to be branded a Florida Lemon. If your new vehicle meets these criteria, you have a good case to bring to Jonathan Schwartz to move forward with a manufacturer buyback of the car or to get a replacement vehicle:
- The car was sold by a dealership as a new or a demo model
- The vehicle was sold in Florida
- The defects or issues you are experiencing must impact the value, safety, or use of the vehicle
- The purchase must have been completed in the last 24 months, and there cannot be more than 24,000 miles on the vehicle, less those listed on the sales documents at the time of purchase
- The vehicle was unable to be used or was in the shop for repairs for a total of 30 days or more
- You returned the vehicle to a manufacturer-authorized repair center three or more times, but the issues were not resolved
Get help with your lemon roadmap to compensation
Step 1: Start with a Free Case Review
Send us your vehicle details like the make, model, year, and what problems you’ve been dealing with. We’ll review everything and let you know if it qualifies under the Lemon Law.
Step 2: We Handle the Legal Work
If your vehicle qualifies, we take it from there. Our team prepares the paperwork, files the claim, and deals directly with the manufacturer. You don’t pay us. The manufacturer does.
Step 3: Turn in Your Lemon and Get Compensated
Once the case is approved, you’ll return your defective vehicle and get a refund, a replacement, or a cash settlement. We’ll help you figure out the best option for you.
30 Seconds Lemon Quiz
What Could Prevent My Vehicle From Being Labelled A Lemon?
You must be the original owner of the vehicle that purchased it new or as a demo from a dealership in Florida. The issues that you have experienced with the car cannot be caused by neglect, abuse, an accident, or alterations made to the vehicle that were not completed by a manufacturer-authorized service center. Finally, the Florida Lemon Law does not always apply to off-road vehicles, trucks that are over 10,000 pounds, or new motorcycles. If your vehicle falls into these categories, the Florida Lemon law might not be able to help you resolve your issues with the manufacturer. Please reach out to Jonathan Schwartz to learn more about vehicles that are not covered by the lemon law during your free case assessment.
Florida Lemon Law Basics
Florida’s Lemon Law, officially known as the Florida Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, protects consumers who buy or lease new vehicles with significant defects. If a vehicle has a recurring issue that the manufacturer fails to fix after a “reasonable number” of repair attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a refund or a replacement.
Before taking legal action, consumers are required to try resolving the matter through the manufacturer’s informal dispute resolution process (usually arbitration). This involves submitting documentation and giving the manufacturer a final chance to repair the issue. If the dispute isn’t resolved in arbitration, the consumer can take the case to court.
The law covers new vehicles and some motor vehicles like RVs (but not their living facilities). Salvage vehicles and cars without warranty are not covered.
Florida’s state Lemon Law only applies to new vehicles. However, used cars can still be protected under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as long as the defect is reported during the vehicle’s warranty period.
So if you buy a used car and it still has a valid manufacturer or dealer warranty, and a defect appears during that time, you may still have a case. This federal law doesn’t care whether the vehicle is new or used — it focuses on whether the warranty is active and whether the defect was properly reported.
If your vehicle qualifies and the manufacturer fails to fix the defect after multiple repair attempts, you need to:
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Step 1: Send a written notice to the manufacturer via certified or express mail.
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Step 2: Allow the manufacturer one final repair attempt.
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Step 3: If the issue persists, submit a Request for Arbitration with Florida’s Department of Legal Affairs along with supporting documents.
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Step 4: Attend arbitration. If the outcome isn’t favorable, you may file a lawsuit.
An attorney can help handle these steps and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Yes, leased vehicles are covered under Florida’s Lemon Law — as long as the defect appears during the lease and meets the same conditions as a purchased vehicle.
However, keep in mind: if you’re leasing, your refund is limited to the amount you’ve paid into the lease. You won’t be refunded for the full vehicle value since you don’t own the car.
Hiring a Lemon Law attorney gives you a big advantage. Manufacturers have deep pockets and legal teams — going up against them alone can be difficult. An experienced attorney knows how to handle the process, file correctly, and present your case with strong documentation.
Also, Florida’s Lemon Law (and the federal one) includes a fee-shifting provision, which means if you win, the manufacturer has to pay your attorney fees. Most firms, like Krohn & Moss, won’t even charge you unless they win your case — so there’s no out-of-pocket risk.
Serving All Florida Counties
Vehicle Manufacturers With the Most Lemons
