Connecticut · Lemon law · Updated Oct 2026
Connecticut Lemon Law (New Automobile Warranties Act) (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-179 to 42-190) protects buyers of new vehicles that can't be fixed. Here is what counts as a lemon in Connecticut, the notice you must send and what you can get back.
Within 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever ends first), your car is presumed a lemon if: (1) the same defect was repaired 4 or more times and still exists; or (2) the car was out of service for repairs a total of 30 or more calendar days. A defect likely to cause death or serious injury is presumed unfixable after 2 or more repair attempts within the warranty term or the first year (whichever ends first). The defect must substantially impair the car's use, safety, or value, and at least one repair attempt must have been made (or refused) before you can make a claim.
Period: 2 years from original delivery or the first 24,000 miles, whichever ends first. You must report the defect within this period; for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, the 2 repair attempts must happen within the express warranty term or 1 year from delivery, whichever ends first.
You must notify the manufacturer in writing only if the warranty or owner's manual clearly says written notice is required; the manufacturer must give you the address to use. To use the state arbitration program, the Department of Consumer Protection requires you to notify the manufacturer by mail or email that you intend to file, and upload a copy of that letter. If you lease, you must also tell the leasing company by certified or registered mail.
Connecticut runs its own arbitration program: you apply online, pay a $50 fee (the manufacturer may have to reimburse it if you win), and an independent arbitrator hears the case online, usually within 60 days. The decision is binding on both sides, subject to limited court appeal. You do not have to use it before suing, unless your manufacturer has its own dispute program certified by the Attorney General, which you must try first to get a refund or replacement.
A new replacement vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full contract price (including undercoating, dealer prep, transportation, and installed options), all collateral charges (sales tax, license and registration fees, similar government charges), finance charges incurred after you first reported the defect, and incidental damages. The manufacturer may subtract a use allowance: total contract price × (miles driven before the manufacturer accepts the car's return ÷ 120,000).
Attorney fees: Yes, at the court's discretion. In a warranty lawsuit against the manufacturer or dealer, the court may award you costs and reasonable attorney fees (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-180).
The lemon law does not cover used cars, but Connecticut's used-car warranty law requires dealers to give a written warranty on parts and labor: 30 days or 1,500 miles for cars priced $3,000 to $4,999, and 60 days or 3,000 miles for $5,000 or more. Cars under $3,000 or 7 or more model years old are exempt (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-221).
Most states require you to tell the manufacturer in writing and give it a last chance to fix the car. You must notify the manufacturer in writing only if the warranty or owner's manual clearly says written notice is required; the manufacturer must give you the address to use. To use the state arbitration program, the Department of Consumer Protection requires you to notify the manufacturer by mail or email that you intend to file, and upload a copy of that letter. If you lease, you must also tell the leasing company by certified or registered mail. Fill this in, copy the letter, sign it and send it by certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy. Nothing you type here is sent to us; the letter is made in your browser.
Within 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever ends first), your car is presumed a lemon if: (1) the same defect was repaired 4 or more times and still exists; or (2) the car was out of service for repairs a total of 30 or more calendar days. A defect likely to cause death or serious injury is presumed unfixable after 2 or more repair attempts within the warranty term or the first year (whichever ends first). The defect must substantially impair the car's use, safety, or value, and at least one repair attempt must have been made (or refused) before you can make a claim.
2 years from original delivery or the first 24,000 miles, whichever ends first. You must report the defect within this period; for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, the 2 repair attempts must happen within the express warranty term or 1 year from delivery, whichever ends first.
You must notify the manufacturer in writing only if the warranty or owner's manual clearly says written notice is required; the manufacturer must give you the address to use. To use the state arbitration program, the Department of Consumer Protection requires you to notify the manufacturer by mail or email that you intend to file, and upload a copy of that letter. If you lease, you must also tell the leasing company by certified or registered mail.
Connecticut runs its own arbitration program: you apply online, pay a $50 fee (the manufacturer may have to reimburse it if you win), and an independent arbitrator hears the case online, usually within 60 days. The decision is binding on both sides, subject to limited court appeal. You do not have to use it before suing, unless your manufacturer has its own dispute program certified by the Attorney General, which you must try first to get a refund or replacement.
A new replacement vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full contract price (including undercoating, dealer prep, transportation, and installed options), all collateral charges (sales tax, license and registration fees, similar government charges), finance charges incurred after you first reported the defect, and incidental damages. The manufacturer may subtract a use allowance: total contract price × (miles driven before the manufacturer accepts the car's return ÷ 120,000).
The lemon law does not cover used cars, but Connecticut's used-car warranty law requires dealers to give a written warranty on parts and labor: 30 days or 1,500 miles for cars priced $3,000 to $4,999, and 60 days or 3,000 miles for $5,000 or more. Cars under $3,000 or 7 or more model years old are exempt (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-221).
Car not covered, or the period has passed? Federal warranty law may still help, and small claims court can handle smaller repair bills.
Federal warranty lawLast checked: Oct 2026.