Laredo - Lemon Law Lawyers

What Is the Lemon Law in Laredo, TX?

The Texas Lemon Law is administered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). It assists consumers who purchase or lease motor vehicles and encounter persistent issues. To qualify under this law, your vehicle has to meet several key conditions:

Defect

To qualify for protection under the state’s lemon law, your vehicle must have a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s written warranty. This defect must substantially impair your vehicle’s use, value, or safety.

Reporting Timeline

You must report the defect to the dealer or manufacturer within the warranty term. Prompt reporting is necessary, as it ensures that the manufacturer is aware of the defect and has an opportunity to address it in a timely manner.

Repair Attempts

After reporting the defect, you must allow the manufacturer a reasonable number of attempts to repair it. This typically means at least two attempts for a serious safety defect and at least four attempts for other defects. Regardless of the number of repair attempts, vehicles can also qualify if they’re out of service for repairs for 30 days or more.

Manufacturer Notification

You must provide written notice to the manufacturer, preferably via certified mail, offering an opportunity to repair the vehicle. Our attorneys can handle this part of the process on your behalf. Then, after sending notice, the manufacturer will have one final chance to resolve the issue before further legal action is taken.

Filing a Complaint

Finally, you must file a lemon law complaint with the Texas DMV within six months following the earliest of three milestones:

• the expiration of the express warranty term
• 24 months after the purchase
• 24,000 miles following the date of delivery of the vehicle

Filing within this timeframe is necessary to ensure that the claim is considered valid under the law. If this period has already passed, you may still have recourse under the Federal Lemon Law.

Types of Vehicles Covered

The lemon law in Laredo covers most passenger vehicles but excludes off-road vehicles, boats, and farm equipment. It also doesn’t cover vehicles with defects caused by owner abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications.

Covered vehicles include:

• New Vehicles: Purchased or leased cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, and motorhomes
• Demonstrator Vehicles: A demonstrator vehicle is one that has been driven by dealership staff for test drives or promotional purposes but is still classified as new because it has not been previously sold to a consumer.
• Towable Recreational Vehicles (TRVs): Must be titled and registered in Texas to qualify.

The law primarily applies to new vehicles. However, used vehicles may be covered if the defect surfaces while still under the original manufacturer’s warranty.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Provides Additional Protection

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, also known as the Federal Lemon Law, extends protections beyond the state’s lemon law. This law:

• Covers both new and used vehicles
• Allows up to four years to file a claim after your warranty expires
• Provides protection for all vehicle defects, not just substantial defects

The team at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. is here to stand up for Laredo consumers. We know how to use this Federal Law to protect your rights and help you fight for the compensation you’re owed when state protections aren’t enough.

How Our Lawyers Can Help With Your Lemon Law Claim

At Krohn & Moss, Ltd., we aim to make the lemon law claim process straightforward for Laredo residents. Here’s what you can expect from the process: 

1. Free Case Review
   We evaluate your repair history, warranty terms, and case viability at no charge.

2. Building Your Case
   Our attorneys help you collect all necessary documentation, including repair records and warranty details, communicate effectively with the manufacturer, and handle every legal step to build a compelling claim for you.

3. Seeking Resolution
   If applicable, we negotiate directly with the manufacturer for a refund, replacement vehicle, or settlement. If necessary, we represent you before the Texas DMV Enforcement Division and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

4. Going to Court
   In the rare case that you’re not satisfied with the outcome of the mediation or hearing, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you’re owed.  

With 30 years of experience and 60,000+ successful cases, our attorneys manage the complexities of the lemon law while keeping you informed along the way.