Iowa Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE IOWA LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Iowa lemon law.
The complete text of the lemon law can be found at Iowa Chapter 322G et seq.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The Iowa lemon law covers persons who purchase or lease a new or previously untitled
motor vehicle for purposes other than resale or sublease. The lemon law also covers any
other person entitled by the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty during
the lemon law rights period. The definition of “person” includes any natural person or
his/her legal representative, a partnership, corporation, company, trust, business entity
or association.
VEHICLES COVERED
The lemon law covers motor vehicles that are purchased or leased in Iowa and motor
vehicles purchased or leased in other states if the consumer is a resident of Iowa at the
time the consumer’s rights under the lemon law are asserted. The lemon law appears to
cover used vehicles, but does not cover mopeds, motorcycles, motor homes, or vehicles
with a G.V.W. rating of over 10,000 pounds.
VEHICLE CONVERTERS
The lemon law applies to vehicle converters.
LEMON LAW RIGHTS PERIOD
The lemon law provides a Lemon Law Rights Period that ends at the earlier of:
1. The expiration of the manufacturer’s written warranty;
2. 24 months after the date of the initial retail delivery of a motor vehicle to a
consumer; or
3. The first 24,000 miles of operation after such delivery.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers vehicle nonconformities. A nonconformity is defined as a defect,
malfunction, or condition in a motor vehicle that renders the motor vehicle
nonconforming to the terms of an applicable manufacturer’s warranty. This does not
include a defect, malfunction, or condition that results from an accident, abuse, neglect,
modification, or alteration of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer
or its authorized service agent.
MANUFACTURER’S DUTY TO REPAIR
If a motor vehicle has a nonconformity and the consumer reports the nonconformity to
the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer during the Lemon Law Rights Period
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
