Pennsylvania · Lemon law · Updated Oct 2026
Automobile Lemon Law (Act of Mar. 28, 1984, P.L. 150, No. 28 (73 P.S. §§ 1951-1963)) protects buyers of new vehicles that can't be fixed. Here is what counts as a lemon in Pennsylvania, the notice you must send and what you can get back.
Your vehicle is presumed a lemon if the same defect has been repaired 3 times and still exists, or if it has been out of service because of defects for a total of 30 or more calendar days. The 30 days can be extended (by up to 30 more days, or up to 90 with a sworn affidavit filed with the Attorney General) for war, terrorism, civil unrest, fire, flood or natural disaster, but only if the manufacturer lends you a vehicle free of charge. For motorcycles, the presumption applies only if all repairs were done by the same authorized facility (or you gave a new facility the full repair records), and storage time does not count toward the 30 days if you waived it in writing or signed a storage contract.
Period: 1 year from delivery, the first 12,000 miles, or the warranty term, whichever comes first. For motorcycles: 1 year from delivery or the warranty term, whichever comes first.
The Act does not require you to send the manufacturer a notice before suing. You must bring the car to an authorized repair facility in Pennsylvania; if the defect keeps you from doing that, written notice to the manufacturer or its repair facility counts as returning the car. The dealer must notify the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days when the car comes in a second time for the same defect.
If the manufacturer has a dispute program that complies with the FTC rules (16 CFR Part 703), you must use it before suing under the Act. The decision is not binding on you; if you are unhappy you can still go to court. Pennsylvania has no state-run lemon law arbitration program.
At your choice, a comparable replacement vehicle of equal value, or a refund of the full purchase or lease price including all collateral charges. The manufacturer may deduct a use allowance of no more than 10 cents per mile or 10% of the price, whichever is less, for miles driven before you first reported the defect. A refund must be paid within 30 days after you choose it.
Attorney fees: Yes. A purchaser who sues under the Act is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and all court costs, in addition to other relief (Section 8).
The Automobile Lemon Law covers new vehicles only. A violation of the Lemon Law is also a violation of Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Most states require you to tell the manufacturer in writing and give it a last chance to fix the car. The Act does not require you to send the manufacturer a notice before suing. You must bring the car to an authorized repair facility in Pennsylvania; if the defect keeps you from doing that, written notice to the manufacturer or its repair facility counts as returning the car. The dealer must notify the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days when the car comes in a second time for the same defect. 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.
Your vehicle is presumed a lemon if the same defect has been repaired 3 times and still exists, or if it has been out of service because of defects for a total of 30 or more calendar days. The 30 days can be extended (by up to 30 more days, or up to 90 with a sworn affidavit filed with the Attorney General) for war, terrorism, civil unrest, fire, flood or natural disaster, but only if the manufacturer lends you a vehicle free of charge. For motorcycles, the presumption applies only if all repairs were done by the same authorized facility (or you gave a new facility the full repair records), and storage time does not count toward the 30 days if you waived it in writing or signed a storage contract.
1 year from delivery, the first 12,000 miles, or the warranty term, whichever comes first. For motorcycles: 1 year from delivery or the warranty term, whichever comes first.
The Act does not require you to send the manufacturer a notice before suing. You must bring the car to an authorized repair facility in Pennsylvania; if the defect keeps you from doing that, written notice to the manufacturer or its repair facility counts as returning the car. The dealer must notify the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days when the car comes in a second time for the same defect.
If the manufacturer has a dispute program that complies with the FTC rules (16 CFR Part 703), you must use it before suing under the Act. The decision is not binding on you; if you are unhappy you can still go to court. Pennsylvania has no state-run lemon law arbitration program.
At your choice, a comparable replacement vehicle of equal value, or a refund of the full purchase or lease price including all collateral charges. The manufacturer may deduct a use allowance of no more than 10 cents per mile or 10% of the price, whichever is less, for miles driven before you first reported the defect. A refund must be paid within 30 days after you choose it.
The Automobile Lemon Law covers new vehicles only. A violation of the Lemon Law is also a violation of Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
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.
Law: Act of Mar. 28, 1984, P.L. 150, No. 28 (73 P.S. §§ 1951-1963)