What Is the Lemon Law in Kansas?

The Kansas Motor Vehicle Warranties Law, also known as the Kansas Lemon Law, forces vehicle manufacturers to honor the warranties of the vehicles they sell and lease. If they fail to do so, the law enables consumers to return their defective vehicle for a refund or replacement vehicle.

For a vehicle to qualify for protection under the Kansas Lemon Law, it must meet two simple requirements:

  • It was purchased or leased within the state of Kansas
  • It weighs 12,000 lbs or less

The vehicle also needs to have a defect that substantially impairs its use or value. And such defects must not be the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alternations. Finally, the defect needs to persist after providing the manufacturer with a reasonable number of attempts to repair it.

If you think you purchased a lemon, reach out to us today for a Free Case Review. If you have a case, Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® will represent you with no up-front costs. And if we win, the Kansas Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to cover collateral charges, including your attorney’s fees. So call us or reach out via our website to let us fight for your rights!

Do you have a lemon? Contact us for a FREE case review.
Free Case Review

Collecting Compensation

The Kansas Lemon Law entitles consumers who purchase a lemon to a refund or replacement vehicle. However, you must prove that the vehicle is a lemon before you can collect any compensation.

Most manufacturers have an informal dispute settlement procedure which you must turn to before filing a legal claim. These procedures typically take the form of an arbitration panel administered by a third party. In most cases, the informal procedures don’t require a hearing. Instead, you simply submit the relevant documents to the board, which we can do on your behalf.

After reviewing your evidence, the arbitration board should issue a decision as to whether or not you deserve to be compensated for your lemon. Assuming the board rules in your favor, they’ll also suggest appropriate compensation. If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of the informal dispute settlement procedure, we can file a claim in the courts to get you the compensation you deserve.

Available Remedies

The Kansas Lemon Law entitles you to a refund of the full purchase price, including taxes, fees, and any “collateral charges” resulting from the defect. Collateral charges commonly include towing fees, rental cars, and attorney’s fees. However, manufacturers may withhold a reasonable allowance to account for the time you were able to use the vehicle.

Alternatively, you can elect to receive a replacement vehicle. Or, in some cases, you may be awarded a cash settlement to make you whole for the amount you overpaid for the vehicle.

Why Work with Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center®?

  • 25+ Years of Experience
  • Over 60,000 Success Stories Nationwide
  • Accomplished, Trustworthy Attorneys
  • No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
  • We Respond to All Inquiries within 24 Hours
  • We Always Seek Maximum Compensation for Clients

Although you can file a Lemon Law claim without the help of an attorney, you’re less likely to prevail by doing so. At Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center®, we have the experience to give our clients the upper hand. We know both federal and state lemon laws inside and out. And we know precisely what it takes to hold manufacturers accountable for their lemons.

Our record speaks for itself, with over 99% of our cases settling without the need to go to trial. So if you’ve purchased a lemon, give us a call or submit your information on our site to receive a free case review. Our law firm will do whatever it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Best of all, we bill the manufacturer for our services instead of you.

Why Choose Krohn & Moss as Your Kansas Lemon Law Firm?

  • 25+ Years of Experience Turning “Lemons” into “Lemon-Aid”
  • Over 60,000 Success Stories Nationwide
  • Accomplished, Trustworthy Attorneys
  • Responds to All Inquiries within 24 Hours
  • No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
  • We Always Seek Maximum Compensation for Clients

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas Lemon Law FAQ

icon plus

Does Kansas Have a Lemon Law?

Yes, the Kansas Lemon Law protects individuals who buy or lease a qualifying vehicle that turns out to be defective. If the manufacturer fails to fix the defect(s) after a reasonable opportunity to do so, they must repurchase or replace the vehicle and pay for collateral charges.

A “reasonable opportunity” can mean a few different things. It can mean “at least four repair attempts for a single defect.” It can also mean “ten total repair attempts for various defects.” Or it can mean “the vehicle was out of service for repairs for 30 or more cumulative days.”

Keep in mind you must report the defect within one year of the vehicle’s date of delivery or before the warranty expires, whichever comes first. This is why it’s important to reach out to a lemon law lawyer as soon as possible. 

icon plus

Is There a Kansas Lemon Law For Used Cars?

The Kansas Lemon Law applies primarily to new vehicles, but used cars can still be covered under the Federal Lemon Law, known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This law makes no distinction between new and used vehicles. The federal statute protects used vehicles as long as they are still under warranty when the defect(s) is first reported. 

Consulting with a law firm experienced in consumer protection is a smart way to determine whether you have a case. Krohn & Moss, Ltd. offers free case reviews, and we don’t collect a fee unless you win or settle your case.

icon plus

Is the Kansas Lemon Law For New Cars?

Yes, the Kansas Lemon Law primarily protects buyers and lessees of new vehicles that weigh under 12,000 pounds. The vehicle must be bought or leased in Kansas. And the defect must first be reported within one year of the vehicle’s delivery date or before the warranty expires, whichever comes first.

icon plus

How Do You File For the Lemon Law in Kansas?

Filing a Kansas Lemon Law claim on your own can be overwhelming, which is why hiring an experienced lemon law lawyer is strongly recommended. Filing a claim involves more than sending in a complaint. There are strict procedures, deadlines, and dispute processes claimants must follow.

When you hire an attorney, they’ll start with a case review to determine if your car qualifies under the Kansas Lemon Law. This means checking whether the defect qualifies, whether it was reported during the warranty period, and if repair attempts meet the “reasonable” threshold.

If you have a valid lemon law claim, your lawyer will send a formal written notice to the manufacturer, file the necessary paperwork, and initiate the claim process. If the manufacturer won’t offer a fair resolution at this stage, your attorney can escalate the matter. This could mean arbitration through the manufacturer’s dispute settlement program or taking the case to court.

Having a lawyer ensures every requirement is met. They’ll draft and deliver the written notices correctly, preserve and organize your repair documentation, and make sure deadlines aren’t missed. They’ll also handle settlement negotiations and represent you in court if needed. 

Because the Kansas Lemon Law has these procedural hurdles, having experienced legal representation gives you the greatest chance of success. Plus, Krohn & Moss, Ltd., doesn’t charge upfront fees. Thus, we don’t get paid unless you win or settle your case. 

icon plus

What Is the Lemon Law in Kansas?

The Lemon Law in Kansas is known as the Kansas Motor Vehicle Warranties Law. Under the law, manufacturers who fail to repair a defective vehicle they’ve sold or leased must replace the vehicle or issue a refund to the consumer.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also covers defective vehicles in Kansas. So even if your vehicle doesn’t qualify for compensation under the Kansas Lemon Law, there are other options. And this “federal Lemon Law” allows consumers to make claims for up to four years after the vehicle’s warranty was breached, which often translates to the date of the first repair attempt.

Read More
icon plus

How Does the Lemon Law Work Here in Kansas?

To qualify for compensation under the Kansas Lemon Law, the vehicle must be purchased or leased within the state and weigh less than 12,000 lbs. The vehicle must also have a defect or “nonconformity” that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety. If the manufacturer fails to repair the defect after a reasonable number of attempts, they must accept the return of the lemon and provide you with a refund or replacement vehicle.

If you notice that your vehicle has a defect, you should notify the manufacturer as soon as possible and bring the vehicle in for repairs. The Kansas Lemon Law only applies to defects that are reported within the first year of ownership and while the vehicle is under warranty. But consumers are still protected from defects that are reported after a year.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act allows consumers to seek compensation for any defects reported during the entire warranty period that the manufacturer fails to repair. So, whenever you suspect your car may be a lemon, reach out to a Kansas Lemon Law attorney. At Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® we offer free case reviews, so you have nothing to lose.

Getting back to how the Kansas Lemon Law works, you must provide the manufacturer with actual notice of the nonconformity and a reasonable number of repair attempts before filing a claim. We can provide actual notice to the manufacturer on your behalf via a formal letter. As for repair attempts, the Kansas Lemon Law presumes vehicles to be lemons if defects remain after:

  • 4 repair attempts for a single defect, OR
  • 10 total repair attempts for any number of defects, OR
  • A total of 30 days out of service for repairs

As noted above, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act offers additional protection to Kansans. And under that law, consumers may file claims after a single failed repair attempt in some cases.

If the defect still exists after these repair attempts, the next step is to present your case to the manufacturer’s informal dispute resolution program, which is simply an arbitration board. Although you aren’t required to have an attorney represent you during arbitration, doing so greatly increases your chances of success.

Once the board reviews your case, they will issue a decision as to what, if any, compensation you deserve. They may offer a full refund, a replacement vehicle, or a lesser settlement. It will be up to you to decide whether or not to accept the board’s ruling. Your attorney can offer guidance as to how you should proceed, but the decision is yours to make.

If you’re not satisfied with the arbitrators’ decision, the final step in the process will be to file a lawsuit. Technically, a trial could be the last step. However, fewer than 1% of the 50,000+ Lemon Law cases we’ve handled have gone to trial. Manufacturers generally offer settlements, which our clients find to be acceptable, once we file suit.

icon plus

How Long is the Lemon Law in Effect in Kansas?

Under the Kansas Lemon Law, consumers must report defects within one year of the purchase date and while it’s still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. As long as the defect is first reported during this window, the manufacturer is obligated to repair it, even if they fail to do so before the warranty expires.

The Kansas Lemon Law does not specify a deadline on when claims need to be filed. The sooner you do so the better. But don’t avoid taking action just because a bit of time has passed. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Uniform Commercial Code both provide up to four years to file a claim.

Thus, you may still be eligible for compensation even if years have passed since you first tried to get your lemon repaired. Regardless of how old your vehicle may be, reach out to us today for a free case review if you suspect it might be a lemon.

icon plus

Does Kansas Have a Lemon Law for Used Cars?

YES! The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes no distinction between new and used vehicles in Kansas. It simply requires vehicles to be covered by warranty when their defects are first reported. So even though the Kansas Motor Vehicle Warranties Law applies only to new vehicles, Kansans who purchase a used lemon can still seek compensation.

icon plus

Does the Lemon Law in Kansas Cover Private Party Sales?

YES! Just as it applies to used cars, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act offers protection to Kansans who purchase a vehicle from a private party. The vehicle simply needs to be covered by a warranty when the defect is first reported to the manufacturer.

icon plus

Does Kansas Have a Buyers Remorse Law?

Yes, but the law does not apply to vehicle sales. Whatever your reasons may be, you cannot simply return a car you just bought in Kansas. Although, if the vehicle is a lemon, you are entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle. But to claim it, you will need to take legal action.

If you recently purchased a lemon you want to return, reach out to us today for a free case review. We’ll do all we can to get you the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.

icon plus

Is There a Lemon Law for Houses in Kansas?

No. The Kansas Motor Vehicle Warranties Law applies only to vehicles. And the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies only to consumer products sold with a warranty. Thus, RVs and motor homes are protected under the federal Lemon Law. But traditional, stationary homes, which do not come with a warranty, are not protected by lemon laws in Kansas.