Nebraska Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Nebraska Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-2701 to 60-2709.
| Rule | What Nebraska law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-2701 to 60-2709 | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-2701 |
| Vehicles covered | New motor vehicles sold in Nebraska for personal, family, household or business use | |
| Not covered | Recreational vehicles | |
| Protection window | The express warranty term or 1 year from original delivery, whichever is earlier | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-2702, 60-2704 |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; the manufacturer must have prior written notice by certified mail | § 60-2704 |
| 40 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 40 or more days, after certified-mail notice | § 60-2704 |
| Written notice | The presumption applies only if the manufacturer received prior direct written notification by certified mail from you or on your behalf and an opportunity to cure the defect. | § 60-2704 |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure certified by the Director of Motor Vehicles, you must use it before the refund or replacement provisions apply (§ 60-2705). | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 2 years after original delivery, whichever is earlier | § 60-2706 |
| Usage deduction | Nebraska deducts the use directly attributable to you and any previous owner before the first report and while the vehicle was not out of service. The statute sets no mileage formula (§ 60-2703). |
Four repairs or 40 days in Nebraska
Nebraska presumes a reasonable number of attempts, after certified-mail notice to the manufacturer, when within the warranty term or the first year (whichever is earlier):
Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; the manufacturer must have prior written notice by certified mail.
§ 60-270440 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 40 or more days, after certified-mail notice.
§ 60-2704The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use and market value. The 40-day period is extended when repairs are unavailable because of war, strikes, fire, flood or natural disaster.
Notice to the manufacturer in Nebraska
The presumption applies only if the manufacturer received prior direct written notification by certified mail from you or on your behalf and an opportunity to cure the defect.
In Nebraska the presumption applies only after certified-mail notice to the manufacturer and a chance to cure.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure certified by the Director of Motor Vehicles, you must use it before the refund or replacement provisions apply (§ 60-2705).
The Director of Motor Vehicles certifies manufacturer dispute procedures; only a certified procedure must come first.
Nebraska’s deadline: the earlier of two dates
Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 2 years after original delivery, whichever is earlier (§ 60-2706).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2027 | Start an action within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 2 years after original delivery, whichever is earlier |
How to file a Nebraska lemon law claim
- Report each defect within the warranty or the first yearTo the manufacturer, its agent or dealer.
- Send certified-mail notice to the manufacturerIt must have a chance to cure before the presumption applies.
- Use a certified dispute procedure if there is oneCertified by the Director of Motor Vehicles.
- Ask for a refund or replacementThe refund includes taxes and fees, less a use allowance.
- Sue in timeWithin 1 year after the warranty or 2 years from delivery, whichever is earlier.
Refund, replacement and the Nebraska deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A comparable motor vehicle. |
| Refund | The full purchase price including sales taxes, license and registration fees and similar government charges, less a reasonable allowance for use. |
Nebraska deducts the use directly attributable to you and any previous owner before the first report and while the vehicle was not out of service. The statute sets no mileage formula (§ 60-2703).
Working out your Nebraska deadline
| Warranty | Warranty + 1 year | 2 years from delivery | Sue by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | March 15, 2027 | March 15, 2027 | March 15, 2027 |
| 3 years | March 15, 2029 | March 15, 2027 | March 15, 2027 |
For most new vehicles the 2-year limit comes first, which makes Nebraska’s deadline one of the shorter ones in our verified states.
Attorney fees and business vehicles in Nebraska
In any action under Nebraska’s Lemon Law, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party if that party is the consumer (§ 60-2707). The fee award is mandatory, not discretionary.
Nebraska defines a consumer as the buyer of a vehicle used for personal, family, household or business purposes, and anyone it is transferred to for the same purposes during the warranty. Recreational vehicles are excluded.
Second owners in Nebraska
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. Nebraska’s Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles under the express warranty.
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer, but the repairs must still fall in the warranty or the first year after original delivery.
To test your own dates and repair visits, see if your Nebraska vehicle qualifies with our checker.
Nebraska Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Nebraska?
A new vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use and market value, not fixed after 4 repairs or 40 days out of service within the warranty or the first year, after certified-mail notice.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Nebraska?
Within 1 year after the express warranty expires or 2 years after original delivery, whichever is earlier (§ 60-2706).
Does the Nebraska lemon law cover business vehicles?
Yes. It covers vehicles normally used for personal, family, household or business purposes. Recreational vehicles are excluded.
Do I get attorney fees under the Nebraska lemon law?
If you prevail, the court must award reasonable attorney fees.
Do I have to notify the manufacturer in Nebraska?
Yes. The presumption needs prior direct written notice by certified mail and a chance to cure.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Nebraska rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.