STANDARDS OF THE NEW YORK LEMON LAW
New Car Lemon Law
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the New York lemon
law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law Section
198-a.
VEHICLES COVERED
The New York lemon law applies to motor vehicles that are subject to a manufacturer’s
express warranty at the time of original delivery and are either:
1. Purchased, leased or transferred in New York within the first 18,000 miles of
operation or two years from date of original delivery, whichever is earlier; or
2. Registered in New York.
The lemon law does not cover motorcycles or off-road vehicles, and does not apply to
the living facilities of motor homes.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers the following “consumers”:
1. The purchaser, lessee or transferee, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor
vehicle used primarily for personal, family or household purposes; or
2. Any other person entitled by the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty to enforce its
obligations , provided the person uses the motor vehicle primarily for personal,
family or household purposes.1
The lemon law also covers the subsequent transferee.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers any defect or condition that substantially impairs the value of the
motor vehicle to the consumer. This is referred to as a nonconformity. The lemon law
does not cover a defect or condition that is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized
modifications or alterations of the motor vehicle.
COVERAGE PERIOD OF THE NEW YORK LEMON LAW
The lemon law covers vehicles during the first 18,000 miles of operation or during the
period of 2 years following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle, whichever
is the earlier date.
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
