Brief Description: Expanding lemon law coverage to out-of-state consumers.

Sponsors: By Representatives Wood, Condotta and Ormsby.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing

Background:

The Motor Vehicle Warranties Act, commonly called the Lemon Law, establishes rights and responsibilities for consumers and manufacturers when vehicles are defective.

The statute establishes three definitions of a "lemon:"

• a vehicle with a serious safety defect that the manufacturer has unsuccessfully attempted to repair at least two times;
• a vehicle with some other substantial defect that the manufacturer has unsuccessfully attempted to diagnose or repair at least four times; or
• a vehicle that has been out of service for 30 cumulative calendar days with at least 15 of those days occurring during the warranty period.

If a vehicle meets one of these definitions, the manufacturer must either replace or repurchase the vehicle, whichever remedy the consumer chooses.

The Lemon Law applies to vehicles that the consumer: (1) purchased or leased in Washington; and (2) initially registered in Washington.

Summary:

The Lemon Law applies to vehicles purchased or leased in Washington regardless of what state the vehicle is initially registered in.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   45   0   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007