Lemon Law Basics: Minnesota Lemon Laws
Understanding Minnesota Lemon Law
What vehicles are covered under Minnesota lemon law?
Minnesota lemon law covers passenger vehicles, including automobiles intended
to carry no more than 15 people, the vehicular portion of motor homes,
and pickup trucks, which are sold or leased in Minnesota. Both new and
used vehicles are covered by the lemon law.
What defects are covered by Minnesota lemon law?
Minnesota lemon law states that manufacturers must repair any serious
nonconformity which falls under the vehicle's warranty and which impairs
its use, safety, or value. The manufacturer is not liable for nonconformities
caused by neglect or modification by the consumer. In order for Minnesota
lemon law to apply, the nonconformity must be reported within the first
two years of vehicle possession or within the warranty period, whichever
comes first. If the manufacturer has had a reasonable chance to repair
the nonconformity and the problem still exists, the manufacturer must
repurchase or replace the vehicle.
According to Minnesota lemon law, the manufacturer is presumed to have
had a reasonable chance to repair the problem after four unsuccessful
attempts to repair the same nonconformity, or one unsuccessful attempt
to repair a life-threatening nonconformity involving the braking or steering
systems, or thirty cumulative business days when the vehicle was out of
commission for repairs.
Filing a claim under Minnesota lemon law
Before the consumer can file a claim under Minnesota lemon law, the manufacturer
must have been notified of the nonconformity in writing, and must have
had at least one opportunity to repair the problem. The consumer must
attempt a settlement under the manufacturer's lemon board before filing
a claim in the state's judicial courts. Claims must be filed within three
years of receiving the vehicle or six months after an unsuccessful attempt
to resolve the problem with the manufacturer's lemon board.
Settlements under Minnesota lemon law
If an owned vehicle is repurchased under Minnesota lemon law, the manufacturer
must pay the consumer a sum that includes the vehicle's full purchase
price, all installed options and trade-ins, all taxes and government charges
like tags and registration fees, and all costs caused by the nonconformity,
such as towing and car rental fees. A reasonable amount for the usage
of the vehicle can be subtracted from this sum. The usage allowance cannot
be more than 10% of the purchase price or ten cents per mile on the vehicle,
whichever is less.
If a leased vehicle is repurchased under Minnesota lemon law, the manufacturer
must pay the lessor an amount including the original purchase price and
any early termination fees, minus the payments already made by the lessee.
To the lessee, the manufacturer must refund all payments made, taxes,
government fees, and towing and rental costs attributable to the nonconformity,
minus a reasonable offset for usage as calculated above.
According to Minnesota lemon law, a replacement vehicle must be comparable
to the original. No usage offset is allowed for a replacement vehicle.
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