Utah Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund

Utah's New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act (Utah Code § 13-20-4) gives new-vehicle buyers the right to a replacement or full refund if a manufacturer cannot fix a substantial defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts. Section 13-20-5 supplies the threshold: it presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been reached after four repair attempts for the same defect or 30 cumulative business days out of service. The coverage window is capped at the shorter of the express warranty term or one year from delivery, one of the narrowest eligibility periods in the country. The manufacturer, not the consumer, chooses between replacement and refund.

What Is Utah's Lemon Law?

Utah's lemon law is officially called the New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act, found in Utah Code Title 13, Chapter 20. This law protects consumers who purchase or lease new motor vehicles that turn out to have serious, unfixable defects. If a manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a full refund.

The law was first enacted in 1985 and expanded in 1990 to include leased vehicles and motor homes. The Utah Division of Consumer Protection administers and enforces the statute under Administrative Rule R152-20.

What Vehicles Are Covered

Utah's lemon law covers specific categories of new motor vehicles. Understanding coverage is essential before pursuing a claim.

The threshold question is whether the vehicle counts as "new" at all. Under Utah Administrative Rule R152-20-2(D), a "new motor vehicle" for purposes of Utah Code § 13-20-4 means a vehicle that has never been titled or registered and has been driven fewer than 7,500 miles. A demonstrator, loaner, or dealer-driven unit that has passed 7,500 miles falls outside the Act by rule, even if the dealership sells it to you as new.

Covered Vehicle Types

• Passenger cars: Sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and similar vehicles sold or leased as new in Utah
• Trucks and SUVs: Pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans with a gross laden weight under 14,000 pounds
• Motor homes: The self-propelled vehicle and chassis only (not the living quarters, dwelling, office, or commercial portions)
• Motorcycles: Only those designed primarily for use on paved highways
• Leased vehicles: New vehicles under lease agreements are covered the same as purchased vehicles
• Electric and hybrid vehicles: Covered under the same terms as gasoline-powered vehicles, provided they meet weight and type requirements

Vehicles Not Covered

• Living quarters, dwelling, office, or commercial space portions of motor homes
• Road tractors or truck tractors as defined in Utah Code
• Mobile homes
• Vehicles with gross laden weight over 14,000 pounds (except motor home chassis and farm tractors)
• Off-road motorcycles designed primarily for unimproved terrain
• Electric assisted bicycles, mopeds, motor assisted scooters, and motor-driven cycles
• Vehicles purchased or leased for the purpose of resale or sublease
• Vehicles that have already been titled or registered, or that have been driven 7,500 miles or more

Who Qualifies as a Consumer

Under Utah Code § 13-20-2, a "consumer" is any individual who enters into an agreement or contract for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a new motor vehicle, other than for purposes of resale or sublease, during the protection period. This definition includes both buyers and lessees.

Utah's Lemon Law Eligibility Period

Utah's eligibility window is one of the narrowest in the country. Under Utah Code § 13-20-5, the coverage period is the express warranty term OR one year following the date of original delivery, whichever ends first.

That "whichever ends first" language matters. Most new-car express warranties run three years or longer, but the lemon law caps your rights at one year regardless. If you first report a defect at month 13, even if the manufacturer's warranty is still active, you have already lost your lemon law protection. There is no mileage-based extension in the Utah statute.

The practical effect: document defects and start the repair-attempt clock as early as possible. Waiting to see if the problem "works itself out" can cost you your legal rights entirely.

Utah's Lemon Law Presumption

Under Utah Code § 13-20-5, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made when certain conditions are met. Once this presumption applies, the burden shifts to the manufacturer to prove the vehicle does not qualify as a lemon.

When the Presumption Applies

Important: Utah calculates the out-of-service period using business days, not calendar days. This distinction matters because 30 business days equals roughly six calendar weeks, giving manufacturers more time before the threshold is reached.

What "Substantially Impairs" Means

For the lemon law to apply, the defect must substantially impair the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle. Minor cosmetic issues or normal wear typically do not qualify. The defect must be significant enough to affect how you drive the vehicle, reduce its resale value, or create a safety hazard.

Extension of Time Periods

The warranty term, one-year period, and 30-day out-of-service period may be extended if repair services become unavailable due to:

• War or invasion
• Strike or labor dispute
• Fire, flood, or other natural disaster

These extensions prevent consumers from losing their rights because of circumstances outside anyone's control.

Consumer Remedies: Refund vs. Replacement

When a vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Utah Code § 13-20-4, the manufacturer must provide one of two remedies. Under Utah's statute, the manufacturer (not the consumer) decides whether to offer a replacement vehicle or a refund. Whichever option the manufacturer selects, it must comply within a reasonable time.

Option 1: Replacement Vehicle

The manufacturer must replace the defective vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle. This means:

• Same make and model, or a vehicle acceptable to the consumer
• Equipped with similar features and options
• All applicable manufacturer warranties intact

If the manufacturer cannot supply a comparable new vehicle, Administrative Rule R152-20-3(B) lets it substitute a vehicle of comparable quality with the consumer's consent, and the consumer may not be charged additional expense for that replacement beyond a reasonable allowance for use of the buyback vehicle.

One limit to plan around: neither Utah Code § 13-20-4 nor Administrative Rule R152-20 requires the manufacturer to reimburse towing charges or the cost of a rental or loaner while the vehicle is in the shop. Several other states write incidental and alternative-transportation costs into their lemon laws; Utah does not. A manufacturer may still offer those costs voluntarily, and a separate dealer or roadside-assistance contract may cover them.

Option 2: Full Refund (Buyback)

The manufacturer must accept return of the vehicle and provide a full refund including:

• The full purchase price of the vehicle
• All collateral charges such as sales tax, license fees, registration fees, and similar government charges
• Finance charges and incidental damages where applicable

Reasonable Allowance for Use

The manufacturer may deduct a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the vehicle. Under Utah Administrative Rule R152-20, this allowance is calculated using a specific formula:

For example, a vehicle purchased for $35,000 would have a per-mile rate of $0.35, but because this exceeds the $0.21 maximum, the rate is capped at $0.21 per mile. If the consumer drove 3,000 qualifying miles, the deduction would be $630.

Leased Vehicle Refund Provisions

When a leased vehicle qualifies as a lemon, the process works differently:

• The manufacturer must refund to the lessor all payments made under the lease
• The refund includes trade-in value, inception payment, and security deposit
• The manufacturer makes all payments to the lessor and lienholder necessary to obtain clear title
• Any excess from those payments goes to the lessee
• Once the lessor receives payment, the consumer is relieved of all future lease obligations

Title Transfer Requirements

Upon receiving a refund or replacement, the consumer, lienholder, or lessor must provide the manufacturer with clear title and possession of the defective vehicle.

How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Utah

Utah has a unique procedural requirement: your claim must be investigated by the Division of Consumer Protection before you can file a lawsuit. Here is the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Document Everything

Thorough documentation strengthens your claim significantly. Keep records of:

• All repair orders, invoices, and receipts
• Dates your vehicle was dropped off and picked up from the shop
• Specific symptoms and complaints reported at each visit
• All correspondence with the dealer and manufacturer (emails, letters, texts)
• Photos or videos showing the defect
• A log of how the defect affects your daily use of the vehicle

Step 2: Report the Defect During the Coverage Period

You must report the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer during:

• The term of the express warranty, OR
• Within one year following original delivery of the vehicle
• Whichever period ends first

Failure to report within this window can bar your claim entirely.

Step 3: Allow Repair Attempts

Give the manufacturer a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle. To trigger the lemon law presumption, this typically means allowing:

• At least 4 repair attempts for the same defect, OR
• The vehicle to be out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more business days

Step 4: Use Manufacturer Dispute Resolution (If Required)

Under Utah Code § 13-20-7, if the manufacturer has an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with federal FTC regulations under 16 CFR Part 703, you must use that procedure before you can receive a refund or replacement. Many major manufacturers participate in programs like BBB Auto Line for this purpose.

If the manufacturer does not have a qualifying program, you can skip this step.

Step 5: File a Complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection

Under Utah Code § 13-20-6, you cannot file a lawsuit until your claim has been investigated and evaluated by the Division. To file:

• Submit a complaint online at services.dcp.utah.gov
• Call the Division at (801) 530-6601
• Toll-free: 1-800-721-7233
• Attach all supporting documentation, including repair records and correspondence

The Division will review your complaint, investigate the facts, and provide an evaluation. Do not send original documents, as materials submitted will not be returned.

Step 6: File a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

After the Division investigates and evaluates your claim, you may file a civil lawsuit if the matter remains unresolved. Under the statute, the court may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in lemon law cases.

Manufacturer Defenses

Under Utah Code § 13-20-4(4), there are two statutory affirmative defenses to a lemon law claim.

Federal Overlay: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

Even if a vehicle falls outside Utah's one-year lemon law window, federal law may still apply. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.) is the federal lemon law backstop. It allows consumers to sue for breach of any written or implied warranty covering a consumer product, including a motor vehicle. If a manufacturer's express warranty is still active and the manufacturer refuses to honor it, Magnuson-Moss provides a path to federal court and allows recovery of attorney fees. This is particularly relevant for vehicles just past the one-year Utah window but still within a longer manufacturer warranty.

Used Vehicle Protections in Utah

Utah's New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act covers only new motor vehicles. However, used vehicle buyers are not entirely without legal options.

Why the Lemon Law Does Not Cover Used Vehicles

• The statute applies only to "new motor vehicles," which Administrative Rule R152-20-2(D) defines as vehicles never titled or registered and driven fewer than 7,500 miles
• A vehicle that has already been titled or registered is outside the Act even if the manufacturer's express warranty and the one-year window are both still running
• Once the warranty term and one-year period both expire, the lemon law no longer applies to anyone

Alternative Legal Protections for Used Car Buyers

• Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Covers any vehicle with an unexpired manufacturer warranty or qualifying service contract, regardless of whether the buyer is the original purchaser
• Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act: Prohibits deceptive and unconscionable trade practices by dealers
• Common law claims: Breach of express or implied warranty, fraud, and misrepresentation
• FTC Used Car Rule: Requires dealers to display a Buyers Guide on every used vehicle, disclosing warranty terms or "as-is" status

Recreational Vehicle Trailer Mediation

Utah provides special mediation provisions for recreational vehicle trailers under Utah Code § 13-20-8. These provisions are separate from the standard lemon law process.

When Mediation Is Required

Owners of new recreational vehicle trailers (travel trailers, camping trailers, and fifth wheel trailers) and manufacturers must engage in mediation when all of the following conditions are met:

• The owner notified the manufacturer in writing about the nonconformity
• The defect affects the structural or functional integrity of the roof, subfloor, or wall
• The manufacturer has made at least four attempts to correct the problem
• The nonconformity persists after those four attempts
• The owner submitted a written request for mediation
• The defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the trailer

How the Mediation Process Works

• Mediation takes place in the county where the trailer was purchased
• The Consumer Arbitration Program for Recreation Vehicles conducts the mediation
• The manufacturer pays all mediation costs
• If mediation fails to resolve the dispute, the owner retains the right to pursue other legal remedies

Key Deadlines and Time Limits

Meeting all applicable deadlines is critical to preserving your lemon law rights.

Note: The manufacturer must still honor repair obligations even after the warranty term or one-year period expires, as long as the nonconformity was first reported during the coverage period.

Tips for Strengthening Your Utah Lemon Law Claim

Follow these practical steps to give your claim the best chance of success:

• Always use authorized dealers for repairs. Repairs by independent mechanics may not count toward the four-attempt threshold.
• Describe the same symptoms consistently. Each repair order should reference the same defect so there is a clear record of repeated attempts.
• Request written repair orders every time. Never leave the dealership without documentation of your visit, even if the technician says nothing was found.
• Keep a personal log. Track every day your vehicle is in the shop, including drop-off and pickup dates.
• Send written notices. Notify the manufacturer in writing (certified mail or email with delivery confirmation) about the ongoing defect.
• Do not make unauthorized modifications. Aftermarket parts or modifications can give the manufacturer a defense to your claim.

More Utah Laws

• Utah Car Accident Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How many repair attempts does Utah require before a vehicle qualifies as a lemon?

Under Utah Code § 13-20-5, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon after four or more repair attempts for the same nonconformity, or if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative business days. These conditions must occur within the warranty term or one year from delivery, whichever ends first.

Does Utah count calendar days or business days for the out-of-service period?

Utah uses business days, not calendar days, for the 30-day out-of-service threshold. Because weekends and holidays are excluded, 30 business days translates to roughly six calendar weeks.

Who decides whether I get a replacement or a refund under Utah's lemon law?

The manufacturer decides. Under Utah Code § 13-20-4, the manufacturer may either replace the vehicle with a comparable new one or accept the return and issue a full refund. Consumers do not get to select between these two remedies.

Do I have to use the manufacturer's dispute resolution program before filing a claim?

Yes. Under Utah Code § 13-20-7, if the manufacturer has an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with FTC regulations (16 CFR Part 703), Section 13-20-4 does not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to that procedure. The statutory trigger is resorting to the program, not completing or exhausting it. If the manufacturer does not have a qualifying program, this step is not required.

Can I file a lemon law lawsuit without going through the Division of Consumer Protection?

No. Under Utah Code § 13-20-6, a consumer may commence a civil action only after the claim has been investigated and evaluated by the Division of Consumer Protection. This is a mandatory prerequisite to filing suit.

How is the reasonable use allowance calculated in a Utah lemon law buyback?

Under Administrative Rule R152-20, the per-mile rate equals the purchase price divided by 100,000, with a minimum of $0.10 per mile and a maximum of $0.21 per mile. The allowance applies only to miles driven before the first defect report and during periods when the vehicle was not in the shop for repairs.

Does Utah's lemon law cover leased vehicles?

Yes. Utah expanded its lemon law in 1990 to cover leased vehicles. If a leased vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer must refund to the lessor all lease payments, trade-in value, inception payment, and security deposit. The lessee is then relieved of all future lease obligations.

Are electric and hybrid vehicles covered under Utah's lemon law?

Yes. Utah's lemon law covers all new motor vehicles that meet the statutory requirements, regardless of powertrain type. Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids are all covered as long as they have a gross laden weight under 14,000 pounds and are purchased or leased as new in Utah, meaning the vehicle has never been titled or registered and has been driven fewer than 7,500 miles.