Kentucky Lemon Law
Residents in Kentucky who buy new vehicles may unconventionally find that they need to use the lemon law after finding a defect in their cars.
If a car manufacturer sells a faulty new car, lemon law guidelines protect drivers from having to take on the expenses of a completely new vehicle and hold the manufacturer accountable so that drivers can resolve the situation and get the return they are owed.
The federal lemon law gives overall rules that car owners with defective vehicles should follow so they can get a working car for the money they pay.
Some drivers may want to bring on an attorney to help them through the process so they follow the laws and ensure the manufacturers follow them, as well. Learn all you need to know about this law by reading through the informative sections offered below.
What is the Lemon Law in Kentucky?
The lemon law in Kentucky states that a lemon car is a new vehicle with an irreparable defect. The specifics of these laws are different among the various states, but the laws require that a car meet the below lemon law definition criteria:
- The vehicle must be new and cannot contain more than two axles.
- The vehicle must be under 12,000 pounds.
The Kentucky Attorney General enforces these laws in Kentucky, covering all new vehicles and new leased vehicles, which includes cars and trucks.
Nonconformity issues with the communicated warranty of the vehicle that jeopardize its safety, value or use are also included for coverage under these laws.
Does the Kentucky Lemon Law apply to used cars?
Used car lemon law is not applicable in the state of Kentucky and there are no 30 day lemon law for used cars guidelines to follow. Residents must follow other used car laws, but these do not list them as lemon cars. Other vehicles that are not qualified as lemons include:
- Motor homes.
- Motorcycles.
- Farm equipment.
- Conversion vans.
How does the Lemon Law work in Kentucky?
In order for drivers’ cars to be suitable for the Kentucky lemon law requirements, they need to exhibit the following qualities:
- Drivers should have purchased the car in new condition within one year OR the vehicle must have less than 12,000 miles when the defect occurs, whichever happens first.
- The vehicle must reveal a significant deficiency that is extreme and it must disturb the vehicle’s operation capacity, such as the transmission, engine, brakes or another significant area of the car.
- A mechanic must have attempted at least four repairs on the vehicle to resolve the problem OR
- The car must have been in the repair shop and out of use for a minimum of 30 days.
Kentucky residents’ vehicles are considered lemons if they present a defect that does not meet the warranty from the manufacturer. If drivers’ vehicles meet these conditions, drivers should not immediately turn to this law for a solution.
To move forward and resolve the issue, drivers should begin by reaching out to the vehicle manufacturer with a written complaint letter that details:
- The complications with the car.
- Duplicates of the work orders and invoices from the repair shop.
- A call for a lemon law buyback, a reimbursement or another resolution.
The written appeal should be delivered through registered or express mail to the manufacturer and the driver should request a return receipt. This allows the manufacturer a final opportunity to repair the vehicle or at lease look over the nonconformity.
After a reasonable amount of time, if the manufacturer does respond or try to make a final repair, Kentucky drivers can use the KY lemon law for settlement.
If the manufacturer simply does not want to repay the driver, they can also hire a lemon law attorney to defend their case and receive compensation.
Once it is confirmed that your car is a lemon, the manufacturer or dealership must adhere to the lemon law buyback guidelines and buy the vehicle back from you.
Most often, drivers will not need to turn to the Attorney General to enforce the law and work out issues with dealers since they are required to protect customers under their DMV regulations.
However, some manufacturers may not want to provide reimbursement, so drivers should always be aware what rights they are given by the Kentucky lemon law so they do not mistakenly believe they have no other choices.
Kentucky residents can contact the Kentucky Attorney General to undergo the lemon law procedure and get their permitted compensation.
To prove their vehicles are eligible for federal lemon law use, drivers should always keep copies of records and documentation of their vehicle’s history in the repair shop that shows its defective status.
Additionally, drivers should keep correspondence documents between themselves and the vehicle dealership, which they might need if they are forced to go to court for a lawsuit.
Kentucky Lemon Law Lawyers
Some drivers choose to hire a lemon law attorney if they are unsure how to begin requesting that their faulty car be listed as a lemon and get in contact with the manufacturer for repayment.
Lawyers for lemon law warranty issues understand the laws very well and will drivers should do to build strong cases for themselves that will give them the best chance at receiving compensation.
Before working with an attorney, refer to the tips listed below so that you know you are making the best decision for yourself:
- Conduct good research: It is best if drivers speak with a variety of lemon law lawyers before choosing one to continue working with on their case. Choosing the first lawyer you speak with might not provide you with the best option for your circumstance.
- Make sure the attorney has past experience: Driver should find a lawyer who has handled lemon law cases before and defended them successfully. Question any lawyers you meet about their previous cases and success rates.
- Find a local lawyer: Driver should be sure to hire an attorney who knows the Kentucky lemon law best since these laws differ from state to state.
- Compare fees and terms of payment: Before choosing a lawyer to defend their case, driver should ask how much payment they want. Always make sure you can afford the lemon law attorney you want and ask about any hidden terms or fees so you are not caught off guard later.
Drivers who do not understand the KY lemon law can benefit greatly from hiring an attorney to represent them.
Lemon law attorneys are a great investment for those who can afford them, especially when manufacturers it difficult to come to a resolution and legal action needs to be taken.
While some car owners do not want to deal with the dealership, attorneys can help all drivers resolve their car lemon law cases by:
- Explaining their rights and options to them.
- Making sure the manufacturer obeys the lemon law in Kentucky.
- Making sure they get everything to which they are accredited.
- Handling the whole case from the beginning to the end.
- Handling any paperwork for them.
How to Tell if Your New Car Is a Lemon
Those who are struggling to determine if their vehicles meet the Kentucky lemon law should review the standards provided below to see if these requirements are met.
- The vehicle has an extensive nonconformity that appeared within one year after it was purchased in new condition OR before the vehicle’s odometer reaches 12,000 miles.
- The vehicle’s problem is covered by a warranty.
- The vehicle’s problem cannot be repaired after at least four attempted repairs OR it was out of use for repair for at least 30 days.
Kentucky residents with vehicles that meet new car lemon law criteria can continue to get their lemon law buyback from the dealership. When purchasing a new car, drivers should be aware of the types of vehicles that most frequently demonstrate nonconformities.
The car makes and models of 2018 with the greatest quantity of lemon law complaints include:
- Mercedes-Benz B
- Chevrolet Volt
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Tesla Model S