Tampa, Florida
If you were genuinely excited to purchase a new vehicle but now hate the thought of even getting into the car, truck, or SUV because it has been nothing but trouble, please know you are not alone. In addition, you should know that you can quickly speak to an expert Tampa Lemon Law Lawyer when you reach out to Jonathan Schwartz. There are no call centers or referral processes that will add time and frustration to the process of resolving the issues with a new vehicle you believe to be a Florida lemon.
Of course, there are certain limitations or qualifications that must be met. You are not going to claim you have a lemon if the vehicle has only been to the dealer service department once for a repair or if the issue is cosmetic. However, please note that the law clearly defines the criteria for a new vehicle to be classified as a lemon. Once that happens, the manufacturer will be forced to take action to correct the situation to your satisfaction. And when you have the decades of expertise and skill of a Lemon Law Layer like Jonathan Schwartz handling your claim, you are sure to be satisfied with the outcome.
While it is unfortunate that consumers are forced to deal with defective or subpar quality vehicles being sold as new, it is fortunate that there is a clear and often-enforced Florida Lemon Law to protect buyers and their investment in a new vehicle. Please get in touch with Jonathan Schwartz today to discuss your vehicle and take part in a free consultation and case evaluation to determine your best course of action.
What Is A Tampa Lemon Vehicle?
There are several criteria that must be met in order for a vehicle to be considered a lemon. Your lawyer will explore these criteria in more detail during your free case evaluation. But to gain a general understanding of the areas that will be evaluated to determine a lemon, the vehicle must:
- Be sold as a new or demonstration vehicle
- Have issues or defects that impact the safety, value, or function of the car
- Be less than 24 months old and have under 24,000 miles in addition to the mileage listed on the purchase agreement documents
- Have need unavailable for use or in the repair shop for a total of 30 days or more
- Have been at an authorized repair center or dealership service department for repairs three or more times to correct the same issue that was not fixed on those visits
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
Do All Vehicles Apply For Lemon Law Consideration?
It is critical to understand that not all vehicles can be labeled a lemon in Florida. The Florida Lemon Law does not apply to all heavy-duty trucks over 10,000 pounds, vehicles built for off-road use, and motorcycles. As long as those criteria do not exclude your vehicle, you could have grounds for a lemon qualification if you are the original owner of the vehicle that was purchased from a Florida dealership and the issue or issues in question were not caused by neglect, an accident, abuse, or a vehicle modification that a manufacturer-authorized service center did not complete.
When You Are Ready To Resolve Your Tampa Lemon Law Challenges
The legal system is complex and can be challenging to navigate without years of education and experience. After facing months of issues with your new vehicle, you are sure to be ready to find a swift and simple solution to the problems plaguing it and you. The wise choice at this point is to place your trust in the skill and expertise of Jonathan Schwartz, the leading Tampa Lemon Law Lawyer, to handle the claim quickly and ensure you get the results you want from the manufacturer who sold you a lemon. Please reach out to his office today to book your free consultation.
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.
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