If your car has been in the shop for days or weeks, you may be wondering if the dealership has to give you a loaner car while you wait. It is a common question, especially when you are paying for rideshares or missing work because your vehicle is out of service.
The short answer is that dealerships are not automatically required to provide a loaner vehicle in every situation. Whether you receive one depends on your warranty coverage and dealership policies. However, when repairs take too long, or your vehicle’s problem keeps returning, you may have rights under the consumer protection laws in your state.
When Is a Dealer Required to Provide a Loaner?
In most cases, dealerships are not legally required to provide a loaner car simply because your vehicle is being repaired. Loaner vehicles are often offered as a courtesy or as part of certain warranty programs, not as a guaranteed right.
Some manufacturer warranties include rental reimbursement coverage. This means the manufacturer may pay for a rental car up to a daily limit while warranty-covered repairs are being completed. However, coverage limits often apply, and reimbursement may not cover the full cost of a rental vehicle.
If your warranty does not include rental coverage, the dealership may still provide a loaner based on availability. Larger dealerships sometimes maintain a fleet of loaner vehicles for customers whose cars require extended service. Smaller dealerships may not have this option.
How to Get a Loaner Car From a Dealership
If you want to get a loaner car from the dealership, start by reviewing your warranty documents. Look for sections related to rental reimbursement or transportation assistance. If coverage exists, ask the service advisor to confirm what expenses are covered and whether you must use a specific rental provider.
When speaking with the dealership:
- Ask whether loaner vehicles are available
- Request written confirmation of rental reimbursement limits
- Keep copies of rental agreements and receipts
- Document the dates your vehicle is out of service
If your vehicle is under warranty and the repair is expected to take several days or longer, it is reasonable to ask about transportation options. While the dealership may not be legally required to provide a loaner, many will work with customers when repair delays are significant.
What If Repairs Take Weeks?
It can be frustrating when repairs stretch into weeks and you are paying out of pocket for transportation. Rideshare expenses, rental car fees, and missed work hours can add up quickly. At that point, the issue is no longer just about getting a loaner car. It may raise questions about whether the manufacturer has failed to repair your vehicle within a reasonable timeframe.
Many state lemon laws consider how long a vehicle has been out of service due to warranty repairs. In some states, if your vehicle is at the dealership for 30+ cumulative business days waiting on repairs, you may qualify for relief. In other situations, you may qualify for relief if the dealer has made multiple unsuccessful repair attempts for the same warranty-covered issue (typically 2-4).
If your car has been in the shop repeatedly and you are covering rental car or rideshare costs yourself, it may be time to look beyond the loaner issue and evaluate whether you qualify for relief under the lemon law in your state.
Warranty Obligations and Reasonable Time
The manufacturer’s warranty requires the company to fix defects in materials or workmanship within a reasonable period. It does not allow the manufacturer to hold your vehicle indefinitely without resolution. Even if a loaner is provided, extended repair delays can still indicate that the problem is not being properly resolved.
If parts are on backorder or the dealer cannot provide a clear completion date, that time still counts as time out of service. Keeping accurate records is critical. Repair orders should reflect the dates your vehicle was dropped off and returned, as well as the specific problem reported.
Signs You Should Speak With a Lemon Law Attorney
You may want to seek legal guidance if:
- Your vehicle has been out of service for several weeks
- The same defect keeps returning despite repair attempts
- The dealership cannot provide a clear timeline
- You are paying ongoing transportation costs
- The warranty period is nearing expiration
Having a lemon law lawyer review your repair history can help clarify whether you are simply dealing with a normal service delay or something more significant.
You Deserve Reliable Transportation
Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® has handled over 60,000 lemon law cases nationwide and has taken on every major auto manufacturer. For more than 30 years, we have helped consumers who are dealing with repeated repairs and extended service delays.
We are real trial lawyers who prepare cases to go as far as necessary to secure what you’re owed. We never charge a retainer fee and only get paid if we win or settle your case.
If your vehicle has been in the shop for an extended period and you are spending money out of pocket for rideshares or rentals, schedule your free case review today to learn if you have a case.
