Summary of Indiana Lemon Laws
Indiana’s lemon laws state that if the buyer or lessee of a vehicle finds a major fault in it – which the manufacturers are unable to fix even after 4 valid attempts by the vehicle manufacturer to repair it – the manufacturer is liable to repurchase or replace the faulty vehicle. This law applies to the vehicle throughout a period of 18 months from the vehicle’s delivery, or 18,000 miles on the vehicle’s odometer, and if the vehicle meets the eligibility criteria as specified by Illinois’ state laws, the owner of the vehicle can claim their lemon aid and demand the manufacturers to provide them with the necessary reimbursement, in the form of a refund or replacement of the faulty vehicle through arbitration. The repurchase and replacement costs will also cover any additional costs the owner underwent while purchasing the vehicle, and no extra charges will be incurred in case of a replacement.
Lemon Eligibility in Indiana
To be eligible for a lemon claim, Indiana’s laws state that the vehicles purchased or leased in Indiana for purposes other than resale or subleasing are protected. The law covers motor vehicles which weigh lower than 10,000 pounds and are NOT conversion vans, vehicle converters, motor homes, farm tractors and other farming machines, road building equipment, truck and road tractors, motorcycles, mopeds, snowmobiles or vehicles used for far-off road usage. The vehicle must also have a significant fault which has significantly impaired the vehicle’s usability, safety, reduced its market value or does not conform to the vehicle’s express warranty. This fault must not be caused by the owner’s neglect or abuse or an unauthorized modification made to the vehicle, and should entirely be the responsibility of the manufacturer. The vehicles are eligible to file for a lemon claim for a period of 18 months from the vehicle’s delivery, or 18,000 miles on the vehicle’s odometer, whichever of these comes first.
Indiana Lemon Law on Used Vehicle
Used vehicles are also eligible for availing lemon aid. Regardless of any change in ownership which the vehicle might have undergone, if it fits the eligibility criteria provided by the law, it may file for a lemon claim.
Repair Attempts And Arbitration for Lemons in Indiana
Before any further action, the manufacturer must be provided at least 4 attempts to repair the nonconformity. These repair attempts may last beyond the period of 18 months, or 18,000 miles on the vehicle’ odometer, and the customer will still be protected by their lemon rights as long as the first repair attempt is made within that period. If these repair attempts are unsuccessful, the owner must then proceed to provide the manufacturer with a written notice regarding their filing for a lemon claim. The customer will then be followed up by the manufacturer through a written notice regarding the arbitration process which they follow, along with instructions as to how the customer can proceed for arbitration. After the customer files for arbitration, they will either be awarded a refund or repurchase as chosen by them. Following the arbitration process, if the customer or manufacturer is unsatisfied with the final decision, they may discard it and pursue a claim in the civil court. Claims need to be filed within a period of 2 years from the date of the first repair attempt being initiated, excluding the time taken for arbitration.
Indiana Lemon Law Compensation – Replacement And Repurchase
In case of a repurchase, the owner will be repaid with the full purchase price or leasing amount paid by them, including all additional charges incurred, excluding a fee which will be charged for the customer’s usage of the vehicle prior to the first repair attempt. In case of a replacement, the customer will be provided with a new, identical or comparable model of the faulty vehicle, and they will also be reimbursed with all additional costs paid during the purchasing of the vehicle.
Other Indiana Laws