Lemon Law in Tennessee TN: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Rights and Remedies

Introduction to Lemon Law in Tennessee

Lemon laws protect consumers from defective vehicles that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. In Tennessee, these laws are designed to ensure that consumers receive a fair and efficient remedy when they purchase a vehicle that does not meet acceptable standards. This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth understanding of the Tennessee Lemon Law, your rights as a consumer, and the steps you need to take to seek recourse.

Understanding the Tennessee Lemon Law

Tennessee's lemon law, also known as the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Warranty Act, applies to new vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles, that are sold or leased in the state. The law covers defects that substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety, and are not the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for lemon law protection in Tennessee, the following criteria must be met:

1. The vehicle must be new, and it must have been purchased or leased in Tennessee.


2. The defect must have occurred within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.


3. The defect must be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.


4. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety.


5. The manufacturer must have been given a reasonable opportunity to repair the defect.

The Reasonable Attempt to Repair Standard

Under the Tennessee Lemon Law, a reasonable number of repair attempts is defined as follows:

1. Three or more unsuccessful attempts to repair the same defect, or


2. One unsuccessful repair attempt for a defect that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or


3. The vehicle is out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days.

Filing a Lemon Law Claim in Tennessee

If your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements and the manufacturer has failed to repair the defect after a reasonable number of attempts, you can file a lemon law claim. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to file a claim:

Notify the manufacturer in writing: Send a written notice to the manufacturer, describing the defect and your repair history. Be sure to include your contact information, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a request for a repurchase or replacement.

Submit to the manufacturer's informal dispute resolution process: If the manufacturer has an informal dispute resolution process, you must participate in it before pursuing legal action.

Consult with an attorney:

Possible Remedies under the Tennessee Lemon Law

If your lemon law claim is successful, you may be entitled to one of the following remedies:

Repurchase: The manufacturer must repurchase your vehicle, refunding the full purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for use.
Replacement: The manufacturer must replace your vehicle with a comparable new vehicle.
Cash settlement: In some cases, you may negotiate a cash settlement with the manufacturer.

more info in: https://lemonlaw.wiki/tennessee-lemon-law/