Motorcycle Lemon Law: Which States Cover Motorcycles?

Are motorcycles covered in Texas, California and Florida?

In the three states we have verified most fully, only Texas covers motorcycles.

Motorcycles and state lemon laws
State	Covered?	Source
Texas	Yes, motorcycles and ATVs	TxDMV
California	No	Civ. Code § 1793.22(e)(2)
Florida	No (motorcycles and mopeds excluded)	Fla. Stat. § 681.102

How to document an intermittent motorcycle defect

Motorcycle defects are often intermittent: a stall at low speed, a fuel or electrical fault that clears itself before the bike reaches the shop. The repair order is still the evidence, so make each visit count:

Describe the symptom, the speed, the temperature and how often it happens, and ask the service writer to copy it onto the order.
Record the defect on a phone or action camera when it happens, with the date visible.
Keep the dates the bike sat waiting for parts; they count toward days out of service where the lemon law applies.
Ask for any technical service bulletin the dealer used in the repair.

Which other states cover motorcycles?

Coverage in other states is mixed. Here are four we verified.

Motorcycle lemon law coverage beyond TX, CA and FL
State	Rule	Source
New York	Covered if bought within 18,000 miles or 2 years of delivery; 4 failed repair efforts or 30 days out of service	NYSDRA for the NY Attorney General
New Hampshire	Motorcycles, off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles are within the board’s jurisdiction; 3 attempts or 30 business days	NH DMV
Michigan	Excludes motorcycles	Michigan Attorney General
Georgia	Excludes motorcycles, mopeds and ATVs	Georgia Consumer Protection Division

Example: a Texas motorcycle lemon law claim

A rider buys a new motorcycle in Texas on April 1, 2026. The engine stalls at low speed. The dealer repairs it in May, July, September and November; it keeps stalling.

Applying the Texas rules
Question	Answer
Covered vehicle?	Yes. Texas covers new motorcycles and ATVs.
Test met?	Yes: 4 repairs of the same defect inside 24 months / 24,000 miles. A stall at speed may also count as a serious safety hazard after 2 repairs.
Next step	Written notice to the manufacturer, then a TxDMV complaint with the $35 fee
Deadline	6 months after the earliest of warranty end, 24 months or 24,000 miles from delivery

The federal route that works in every state

Wherever you live, a new motorcycle sold with a written warranty is covered by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If the warranty is labeled “full”, federal law lets you choose a refund or free replacement after a reasonable number of failed repairs. Under a “limited” warranty, you can still sue for breach and, if you win, ask the court for attorney fees. Used motorcycles are not covered by the FTC’s Buyers Guide rule, so ask for any dealer warranty in writing.

What to check before you buy a new motorcycle

A few checks before you buy a new motorcycle make any later claim easier.

Check whether your state’s lemon law lists motorcycles as covered vehicles; Texas, New York and New Hampshire do, while California, Florida, Michigan and Georgia do not.
Read the warranty’s label (full or limited), its length and what it excludes, such as track use.
Keep the dealer’s pre-delivery inspection record and every service receipt.
Register the bike and search open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

What to do if your state excludes motorcycles

If your state’s lemon law leaves motorcycles out, these routes are still open.

Use the manufacturer’s written warranty and insist on repair orders for every visit.
Use the federal Magnuson-Moss Act to enforce the warranty and recover attorney fees.
In California, the broader Song-Beverly Act still covers warranty obligations on consumer goods.
Note that the FTC Buyers Guide rule does not cover used motorcycles; ask for any warranty in writing.

In Texas, check your motorcycle against the Texas tests.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a lemon law for motorcycles?

In some states. Texas covers new motorcycles and ATVs. California and Florida exclude motorcycles from their vehicle lemon laws.

What can I do if my motorcycle is a lemon in a state that excludes it?

Enforce the manufacturer’s written warranty, and consider a claim under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which allows attorney fees for a consumer who wins.

Does California have a lemon law for motorcycles?

No. California’s lemon law definition excludes motorcycles. The manufacturer’s warranty, the broader Song-Beverly Act for consumer goods and the federal Magnuson-Moss Act still apply.

Are ATVs and snowmobiles covered by lemon laws?

In some states. Texas covers ATVs, and New Hampshire’s board covers off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles. Georgia excludes ATVs. Check your state’s list of covered vehicles.

Is there a federal lemon law for motorcycles?

The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers motorcycles sold with a written warranty. It has no fixed repair test, but a warranty labeled “full” must offer a refund or replacement after a reasonable number of failed repairs.

Does the Florida lemon law cover motorcycles?

No. Florida’s lemon law excludes motorcycles and mopeds. Florida riders rely on the written warranty and federal law.

Does New York’s lemon law cover motorcycles?

Yes. A new motorcycle bought, leased or transferred in New York within 18,000 miles or two years of delivery qualifies after 4 failed repair efforts or 30 days out of service.

What counts as a repair attempt on a motorcycle?

A visit to an authorized dealer for the reported defect, under the warranty, with a repair order. Visits where the dealer cannot reproduce the problem still matter, so keep those orders too.

Do lemon laws cover dirt bikes and off-road motorcycles?

Rarely. New Hampshire’s board covers off-highway recreational vehicles, but California excludes off-highway vehicles not registered under its Vehicle Code, and Michigan excludes off-road vehicles. Street-registered bikes have the best chance of coverage.

Sources

Checked on October 12, 2026. Read how we verify every rule in our editorial policy.