STANDARDS OF THE OREGON LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Oregon lemon
law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at Oregon Rev. Stat. §§ 646.315 to
646.375.
VEHICLES COVERED
The Oregon lemon law covers any passenger motor vehicle, including used vehicles.
Motor vehicles purchased or leased on or after September 21, 2009 must be
purchased/leased or registered in Oregon.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers any of the following “consumers”:
1. The purchaser or lessee, other than for purposes of resale, of a new motor vehicle
normally used for personal, family or household purposes;
2. Any person to whom a new motor vehicle used for personal, family or household
purposes is transferred for the same purposes during the duration of an express
warranty applicable to the motor vehicle; or
3. Any other person entitled by the terms of the express warranty to enforce its
obligations.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers any defect or condition that (1) does not conform to the applicable
manufacturer’s express warranty and (2) substantially impairs the use, market value or
safety of the 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 the alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, market value or
safety; or the nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized
modifications or alterations of the vehicle by the consumer.
MANUFACTURER’S DUTY TO REPURCHASE OR REPLACE A VEHICLE
If a vehicle purchased/leased before September 21, 2009 does not conform to the
applicable manufacturer’s express warranty, the consumer must report the
nonconformity for the purpose of repair or correction to the manufacturer, its agent or
its authorized dealer, during the period of one year following the date of the motor
vehicle’s original delivery to the consumer or during the period ending when the motor
vehicle mileage reaches 12,000 miles, whichever period ends first.
If a vehicle purchased/leased on or after September 21, 2009 does not conform to
the applicable manufacturer’s express warranty, the consumer must report the
nonconformity for the purpose of repair or correction to the manufacturer, its agent or
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
