Lemon Law Attorney - Tampa

What Is a Lemon?

In Tampa, Florida, a “lemon” is a vehicle with a substantial warranty-covered defect that persists despite multiple repair attempts. Alternatively, if your vehicle is out of service for 30 days or more waiting on repairs, it’s considered a lemon. These issues must start while the vehicle is under the original manufacturer’s warranty. Typically, as long as your vehicle is a car, truck, or SUV that you purchased or leased in Florida, it is covered by the law.

Take our free 60-second Lemon Test to see if your vehicle qualifies. 

Understanding the Lemon Law in Tampa

The lemon law in Tampa, also known as the Florida Lemon Law, protects consumers who purchase or lease defective vehicles within the state. To qualify for compensation, your vehicle must have a defect that substantially impairs the use, safety, or value of the vehicle.

This defect must be covered by your manufacturer’s warranty when you first bring it in for repairs. And you need to give the manufacturer at least three chances to fix the problem. Your vehicle can also qualify if it has been in the repair shop for 30 days or longer.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

If the Lemon Law Rights Period has already passed, you may still have options with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This federal law provides additional protection when your vehicle doesn’t qualify under the local lemon law in Tampa.

This statute gives you up to five years in the state of Florida to file a claim after your warranty expires. Plus, it covers both new and used vehicles. The state lemon law has specific requirements for repair attempts. However, the federal law focuses on whether the manufacturer failed to honor your warranty.

The lawyers at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. are well-versed in a variety of lemon law protections. In fact, our attorneys have helped to shape the law in the state of Florida and throughout the nation. They have successfully handled in excess of 50 reported appeals involving consumer rights to state appellate level and state supreme courts across the nation.

Working With Our Lemon Law Attorneys - Tampa, Florida

Here’s why we’re the lemon law attorneys Tampa trusts with their claims: 

Real Lawyers With National Experience

Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® has handled over 60,000 cases nationwide, including more than 9,000 in Florida alone. Over the past 30 years, we have taken on every major (and minor) auto manufacturer. 

Real Attorneys and Transparent Representation

We are an actual law firm, not a referral website. We proudly share our attorneys’ biographies as well as real client stories on our site, and you always know who is responsible for your case. Experience and accountability matter when you are taking on a major auto manufacturer.

We Make It Easy For You

We prevail in 99 percent of the cases we handle, and 99 percent resolve before trial. We never charge a retainer fee and only get paid if we win or settle your case. Our ultimate goal? Make it easy and worthwhile for our clients to file a claim. 

We Don’t Advertise Unrealistic Numbers

No lemon law case has a preset dollar value, and any lawyer who says so is misleading you. We do not advertise unrealistic numbers to attract attention. Instead, we evaluate cases based on facts, real documentation, and the applicable law. 

We do not advertise that you may recover a high-value dollar amount for your lemon, because that is misleading and false. Every case is different, and no law in the country specifies the exact dollar amount you may receive for owning a lemon vehicle. When you retain or firm, we tell you what you need to hear, and we don’t make up unrealistic figures to convince you to retain our services.

What to Do If You Have a Lemon in Tampa

If you believe your car is a lemon:

1. Maintain Comprehensive Records

Keep a thorough log of all problems with your vehicle, including repair efforts and any interactions with the dealer or manufacturer. If you’ve misplaced any records, we can obtain copies on your behalf.

2. Seek Tampa Legal Advice

Reach out to our lemon law attorneys serving Tampa to review your situation. An experienced lawyer can explain your rights and assist you in navigating the legal proceedings. 

3. Inform the Manufacturer

Send a written notice to the manufacturer detailing the issues with your vehicle. Retain copies of all communications. Our attorneys will also handle this step for you.

How a Lemon Law Lawyer Can Help

If your car meets the requirements of a lemon, you’ll need to notify the manufacturer in writing that you intend to pursue a lemon law claim. Our attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. can handle this step for you. And, in many cases, we reach settlements at this stage without taking the matter any further.

If the manufacturer isn’t ready to settle yet, we’ll need to give them one final attempt to repair your vehicle. But if the defect persists after this repair attempt, your vehicle is a lemon.

Once your car qualifies as a lemon, our lawyers will present the evidence that supports your claim to an arbitration board. The arbitrators will decide whether or not you are owed compensation.

If you agree with this decision, you can collect your compensation and move on. If you aren’t happy with the decision, our lawyers will file a lemon law claim with the courts on your behalf.

We make the process simple and stress-free so you can return to your day-to-day life as quickly as possible.

Tampa - Lemon Law FAQ

What Vehicles Are Protected by the Lemon Law in Tampa?

The state lemon law covers new and leased vehicles under 10,000 pounds used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. This includes cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans purchased within Florida. The vehicle must be reported as defective within 24 months of delivery, although the Federal Lemon Law can provide protection for up to five years.

What Defects Are Covered by Lemon Laws?

The law covers defects that substantially impair your vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Common issues include:

• Engine or transmission problems
• Electrical system failures
• Brake defects
• Safety feature malfunctions
• Infotainment system defects
• Suspension and steering problems
• Persistent warning lights
• And more

If the manufacturer’s warranty covers the defect, lemon laws should, too.

What Compensation Can I Get in a Lemon Law Case in Tampa, Florida?

Successful claims typically result in either a refund of your purchase price (minus a reasonable vehicle use fee) or a replacement vehicle of equal value. You may also receive compensation for things like rental car fees and repair costs. Our attorneys are always 100% honest with you about the status of your case, and we never make unrealistic promises about compensation.