District of Columbia Lemon Law rules at a glance
The D.C. Automobile Consumer Protection Act (Lemon Law) is D.C. Code §§ 50-501 to 50-509.
| Rule | What District of Columbia law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | D.C. Code §§ 50-501 to 50-509 | D.C. Code § 50-501 |
| Vehicles covered | Vehicles made for sale, sold or registered in the District, designed mainly to carry a driver and passengers; Leased vehicles (a lessee during the warranty is a consumer) | |
| Not covered | Motorcycles; Motor homes and motorized recreational vehicles; Buses sold for public transportation | |
| Protection window | The first 18,000 miles or 2 years from delivery to the original purchaser, whichever is earlier | D.C. Code § 50-502(a) |
| Safety-Related Defect Test | A safety-related defect was repaired at least once after you reported it, and continues | § 50-502(d)(2) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect, if not safety-related, was repaired 4 or more times after you reported it, and continues | § 50-502(d)(1) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair of defects that significantly impair the vehicle a cumulative total of 30 days or more | § 50-502(d)(3) |
| Written notice | Report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent or its dealer during the first 18,000 miles or 2 years. A dealer that receives your report must forward written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days. | D.C. Code § 50-502(a), (f) |
| Dispute program first? | Before seeking a refund or replacement in court, you must first submit a claim to the Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration. It decides within 60 days of accepting the case; if it rejects the case or you reject its decision, you can go to court. | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 4 years of original delivery | D.C. Code § 50-507(b) |
| Usage deduction | The District caps the allowance for use at 10 cents a mile for miles beyond the first 12,000, plus damage not due to normal wear or the defect (D.C. Code § 50-502(b)). |
Four repairs, one safety repair or 30 days in D.C.
The District presumes a reasonable number of attempts, for defects reported within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years, when:
Safety-Related Defect Test
A safety-related defect was repaired at least once after you reported it, and continues.
§ 50-502(d)(2)Four Repairs Test
The same defect, if not safety-related, was repaired 4 or more times after you reported it, and continues.
§ 50-502(d)(1)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair of defects that significantly impair the vehicle a cumulative total of 30 days or more.
§ 50-502(d)(3)The defect must significantly impair the vehicle: make it unreliable or unsafe, or reduce its resale value below the average for comparable vehicles. A safety-related defect is one that reduces your control of the car or creates a risk of fire, explosion or another life-threatening malfunction.
Notice to the manufacturer in District of Columbia
Report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent or its dealer during the first 18,000 miles or 2 years. A dealer that receives your report must forward written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days.
Dispute program first. Before seeking a refund or replacement in court, you must first submit a claim to the Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration. It decides within 60 days of accepting the case; if it rejects the case or you reject its decision, you can go to court.
The manufacturer or dealer must give you written notice of these rights before you buy or register the vehicle.
The D.C. 4-year deadline
Start an action within 4 years of original delivery (D.C. Code § 50-507(b)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2027 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2029 | Start an action within 4 years of original delivery |
How to file a District of Columbia lemon law claim
- Report each defect within 18,000 miles or 2 yearsTo the manufacturer, its agent or its dealer.
- Keep every repair orderThey prove the repairs and the days out of service.
- File with the Board of Consumer Claims ArbitrationRequired before court; it decides within 5 business days whether the claim qualifies.
- Attend the hearingYou can present witnesses and evidence and be represented by counsel.
- Go to court if neededIf the Board rejects the case or you reject its decision, within 4 years of delivery.
Refund, replacement and the District of Columbia deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A comparable motor vehicle, at your option. |
| Refund | The full purchase price including sales tax, license and registration fees and similar charges, less no more than 10 cents a mile beyond the first 12,000 miles, and damage beyond normal wear. |
The District caps the allowance for use at 10 cents a mile for miles beyond the first 12,000, plus damage not due to normal wear or the defect (D.C. Code § 50-502(b)).
The D.C. Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Within 5 business days of your claim |
| Arbitrators | A single attorney arbitrator with both sides’ consent, or a 3-person panel |
| Hearing | Public and recorded, with at least 5 days’ notice |
| Decision | Within 60 days of accepting the case; can include attorney fees |
| Challenge | Either side can petition the court within 20 days |
The D.C. deduction for use
The manufacturer may deduct no more than 10 cents a mile for miles beyond the first 12,000, plus damage not due to normal wear or the defect (§ 50-502(b)).
| Miles driven | Miles over 12,000 | Maximum deduction |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 0 | $0.00 |
| 15,000 | 3,000 | $300.00 |
| 18,000 | 6,000 | $600.00 |
A returned vehicle’s D.C. title is marked, and a dealer must state in the sales contract that it was returned under the Lemon Law.
Used cars and the D.C. Lemon Law
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during a warranty is a consumer, and the rights pass to later owners. Used vehicles are outside the lemon law remedy, but D.C. dealers must disclose known material defects and major damage before sale.
A D.C. dealer selling a used vehicle must disclose in writing any known material mechanical defect and any known damage costing over $1,000 to repair, and whether it inspected the car; claims also go to the Board first (D.C. Code § 50-505).
To test your own dates and repair visits, run your D.C. repair history through our checker.
District of Columbia Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in D.C.?
A vehicle with a defect that significantly impairs it, after 4 repairs, 1 repair of a safety-related defect, or 30 days out of service, within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in D.C.?
Any action must be started within 4 years of original delivery (D.C. Code § 50-507).
Do I have to use arbitration in D.C.?
Yes. You must first submit a claim to the Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration before seeking a refund or replacement in court.
How much is deducted from a D.C. lemon law refund?
No more than 10 cents a mile for miles beyond the first 12,000, plus damage beyond normal wear.
Does the D.C. lemon law cover motorcycles?
No. Motorcycles, motor homes and motorized recreational vehicles are excluded.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify District of Columbia rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.