Lemon Law Complaint Process
Have you experienced continuing problems with a motor vehicle that you purchased new or leased new in Georgia? If so, you might be interested to know that the Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act, or Lemon Law as it is commonly called, outlines a self-help process for you.
The Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs administers Georgia’s Lemon Law, which is designed first and foremost to help you get your defective vehicle repaired. If the manufacturer fails to repair a recurring problem after a reasonable number of attempts and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may at that point apply for a state arbitration hearing. An arbitration panel may hear your complaint to decide whether you are entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund.
The Lemon Law calls for you, the consumer, to follow certain steps as outlined below. We have prepared this guide to supplement the Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights statement you should have received from the dealer at the time of your purchase or lease. It will help you determine whether you and your vehicle are eligible and, if so, how to proceed. Not all of these steps may apply to you, and it is possible for your dispute to be resolved at any time during the process. To begin:
- First, please review our answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions for information you will need to know about eligibility and possible remedies.
- Next, please sign in one time to have these instructions forwarded to you by e-mail and to help OCA assist you in the future, should you decide to pursue your claim under the Lemon Law. After signing in, you will be returned to this page.
- Read the Steps to Follow thoroughly and follow all instructions. In order to comply with what the law requires, it is very important that you complete each step in the order given before proceeding to the next. These guidelines are a general summary of the law, which you can read in its entirety in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections 10-1-780 through 10-1-794. You may encounter a few unfamiliar terms, or words used with a unique meaning, in the Lemon Law statute.
The forms you will need at different stages of the process are available right here on our website.