New Mexico Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE NEW MEXICO LEMON LAW
Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the New Mexico
lemon law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at New Mexico Stat. Ann. §
57-16A-1 et seq.
VEHICLES COVERED
The New Mexico lemon law covers passenger motor vehicles, including automobiles,
pickup trucks, motorcycles and vans, that are sold and registered in the state; are
normally used for personal, family or household purposes; and have a gross vehicle
weight of less than 10,000 pounds.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers the following “consumers”:
1. The purchaser, for the purposes other than resale, of a new or used motor vehicle
normally used for personal, family or household purposes;
2. Any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an
express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle; and
3. Any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce its obligations.
The lemon law appears not to cover a lessee.
VEHICLE CONVERTERS
The lemon law applies to vehicle converters.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The New Mexico lemon law covers any defect or condition that substantially impairs the
use and market value of the motor vehicle to the consumer. This is referred to as a
nonconformity.
The lemon law provides manufacturers with an affirmative defense if it can be shown
that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or
alterations of the motor vehicle.
MANUFACTURER’S DUTY TO REPAIR A VEHICLE
If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, and the
consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer
during the term of the express warranties or a period of one year following the date of
the motor vehicle’s original delivery to a consumer, whichever comes first, then the
manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer must make the necessary repairs to
conform the vehicle to the express warranties.
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
