Ohio · Lemon law · Updated Oct 2026
Ohio Lemon Law (Nonconforming New Motor Vehicle Law) (Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.71 to 1345.78) protects buyers of new vehicles that can't be fixed. Here is what counts as a lemon in Ohio, the notice you must send and what you can get back.
Within the first year or 18,000 miles, your car is presumed a lemon if: the same defect was repaired 3 or more times and still exists or comes back; or it was out of service for repairs for a total of 30 or more calendar days; or there were 8 or more repair attempts for any defects; or one repair attempt failed to fix a defect likely to cause death or serious injury. The statute does not give the manufacturer an extra 'final repair attempt', though the Attorney General notes manufacturers often ask for one.
Period: 1 year or 18,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first. Repairs may continue after that if you reported the defect within the period.
The statute does not require a specific notice before you sue. The Attorney General advises sending the manufacturer a certified letter listing the problems, the repair attempts and your VIN, and saying whether you want a replacement or a refund; keep a copy.
Ohio has no state-run lemon law arbitration. The Attorney General qualifies manufacturer programs; if a qualified program exists and you were told about it in writing, you must use it before suing. Decisions do not bind you unless you accept them, and the time limit to sue is paused while your claim is in the program.
At your choice, a new replacement vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full purchase price: contract price including transportation, undercoating, dealer-installed options, dealer prep and delivery; all finance, credit insurance, warranty and service contract charges; and sales tax, license, registration and other government fees. You also get incidental damages such as loan or lease cancellation fees, towing, rental car, meals and lodging. The law does not provide a deduction for your use. For leases, the refund covers the capitalized cost reduction, security deposit, taxes, title fees, all monthly payments, the residual value and related charges.
Attorney fees: Yes. If you sue and win, you are entitled to reasonable attorney fees and all court costs (§ 1345.75(A)).
Deadline: You must sue within 5 years of the date of original delivery (Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.75(C)).
The lemon law does not apply to vehicles more than one year old or driven more than 18,000 miles. The Attorney General suggests checking whether a used car has a branded 'BUYBACK' title through the Ohio BMV and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.
Most states require you to tell the manufacturer in writing and give it a last chance to fix the car. The statute does not require a specific notice before you sue. The Attorney General advises sending the manufacturer a certified letter listing the problems, the repair attempts and your VIN, and saying whether you want a replacement or a refund; keep a copy. 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 the first year or 18,000 miles, your car is presumed a lemon if: the same defect was repaired 3 or more times and still exists or comes back; or it was out of service for repairs for a total of 30 or more calendar days; or there were 8 or more repair attempts for any defects; or one repair attempt failed to fix a defect likely to cause death or serious injury. The statute does not give the manufacturer an extra 'final repair attempt', though the Attorney General notes manufacturers often ask for one.
1 year or 18,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first. Repairs may continue after that if you reported the defect within the period.
The statute does not require a specific notice before you sue. The Attorney General advises sending the manufacturer a certified letter listing the problems, the repair attempts and your VIN, and saying whether you want a replacement or a refund; keep a copy.
Ohio has no state-run lemon law arbitration. The Attorney General qualifies manufacturer programs; if a qualified program exists and you were told about it in writing, you must use it before suing. Decisions do not bind you unless you accept them, and the time limit to sue is paused while your claim is in the program.
At your choice, a new replacement vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full purchase price: contract price including transportation, undercoating, dealer-installed options, dealer prep and delivery; all finance, credit insurance, warranty and service contract charges; and sales tax, license, registration and other government fees. You also get incidental damages such as loan or lease cancellation fees, towing, rental car, meals and lodging. The law does not provide a deduction for your use. For leases, the refund covers the capitalized cost reduction, security deposit, taxes, title fees, all monthly payments, the residual value and related charges.
You must sue within 5 years of the date of original delivery (Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.75(C)).
The lemon law does not apply to vehicles more than one year old or driven more than 18,000 miles. The Attorney General suggests checking whether a used car has a branded 'BUYBACK' title through the Ohio BMV and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.
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 law