Washington Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Washington Motor Vehicle Warranties Act (Lemon Law) is Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.118. The Attorney General contracts with the boards that hear Washington lemon law arbitrations.
| Rule | What Washington law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.118 | RCW 19.118.021 |
| Vehicles covered | New vehicles bought or leased in Washington; Motorcycles of 750 cc or more; The self-propelled vehicle and chassis of motor homes | |
| Not covered | Fleets of 10 or more vehicles; Trucks of 19,000 lbs or more gross vehicle weight rating; Motor home living and office areas | |
| Protection window | 2 years or 24,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first | RCW 19.118.021(6) |
| Serious Safety Defect Test | The same serious safety defect was repaired 2 or more times (at least once under warranty) and continues | RCW 19.118.041(2)(a) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times (at least once under warranty) and continues | RCW 19.118.041(2)(b) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for a cumulative 30 calendar days, at least 15 of them during the warranty | RCW 19.118.041(2)(c) |
| Written notice | Send the manufacturer a written request to repurchase or replace the vehicle, to its corporate, dispute resolution, zone or regional office. It has 40 calendar days to act. | RCW 19.118.041(1) |
| Dispute program first? | Arbitration through the Attorney General or the manufacturer’s informal program must be used before suing in superior court (RCW 19.118.080(3)). | |
| Deadline | Request state arbitration within 30 months of original retail delivery | RCW 19.118.090(3) |
| Usage deduction | your miles × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (motor homes ÷ 90,000; motorcycles ÷ 25,000) | RCW 19.118.041(1)(c) |
Washington’s repair, safety and days tests
Washington law presumes the manufacturer had a reasonable number of chances when any one of these tests is met inside the protection window (2 years or 24,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first):
Serious Safety Defect Test
The same serious safety defect was repaired 2 or more times (at least once under warranty) and continues.
RCW 19.118.041(2)(a)Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times (at least once under warranty) and continues.
RCW 19.118.041(2)(b)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for a cumulative 30 calendar days, at least 15 of them during the warranty.
RCW 19.118.041(2)(c)Washington adds a test few states have: two or more different serious safety defects within 12 months, each repaired at least once under warranty. Repairs must include at least one attempt under the warranty.
Notice to the manufacturer in Washington
Send the manufacturer a written request to repurchase or replace the vehicle, to its corporate, dispute resolution, zone or regional office. It has 40 calendar days to act.
Dispute program first. Arbitration through the Attorney General or the manufacturer’s informal program must be used before suing in superior court (RCW 19.118.080(3)).
Washington’s 30-month arbitration deadline
Request state arbitration within 30 months of original retail delivery (RCW 19.118.090(3)).
| 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 |
| Request arbitration by | September 15, 2027 | Request state arbitration within 30 months of original retail delivery |
How to file a Washington lemon law claim
- Keep every repair orderAt least one repair for the defect must happen under warranty.
- Send a written repurchase or replacement requestTo the manufacturer’s corporate, dispute resolution, zone or regional office. It has 40 calendar days to act.
- Request state arbitrationFree, through the Attorney General, within 30 months of original retail delivery.
- Hearing and decisionThe board hears the case within 45 days and decides within 60 days.
- Keep paying your loan or leaseThe law does not let you stop payments while the claim is open.
Refund, replacement and the Washington deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | An identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle; the manufacturer pays sales tax, license, registration and incidental costs, and you pay the offset for use. |
| Repurchase | The purchase price, all collateral charges (sales tax, registration and title fees, finance charges, dealer-installed options) and incidental costs, minus a reasonable offset for use. |
How the Washington deduction for use is calculated
your miles × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (motor homes ÷ 90,000; motorcycles ÷ 25,000) (RCW 19.118.041(1)(c)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 120,000 | −$4,500.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $31,500.00 |
The multiple safety defects test
Washington adds a fourth test: two or more different serious safety defects within 12 months, each diagnosed or repaired at least once during the warranty and eligibility period (RCW 19.118.041(2)(d)). Unlike the other tests, it does not matter whether those defects were later fixed.
Our checker applies Washington’s repeat, safety and days tests. If you have two different safety defects within 12 months, read this test and ask the Lemon Law Administration.
Motor homes and motorcycles in Washington
| Rule | Motor homes | Motorcycles |
|---|---|---|
| What is covered | The self-propelled vehicle and chassis only | Motorcycles of 750 cc or more |
| Repair test | 3 attempts, or 1 for a serious safety defect | Same tests as cars |
| Days out of service | 60 calendar days | 30 calendar days |
| Offset divisor | 90,000 miles | 25,000 miles |
Used vehicles under Washington’s Lemon Law
Repairs count only inside 2 years or 24,000 miles from original delivery. Whether a later owner qualifies depends on when the vehicle was bought; ask the Attorney General’s Lemon Law Administration. A used vehicle bought after 2 years or 24,000 miles is outside Washington’s Lemon Law.
To test your own dates and repair visits, run the Washington lemon law check.
Washington Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Washington State?
A new vehicle whose warranty defect was repaired 4 or more times, a serious safety defect repaired 2 or more times, or 30 or more days out of service (at least 15 during the warranty), all within 2 years or 24,000 miles.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Washington?
Request state arbitration within 30 months of the original retail delivery date (RCW 19.118.090(3)).
Does Washington’s lemon law cover motorcycles?
Yes, motorcycles with an engine of 750 cc or more. Their offset for use divides by 25,000 miles.
How is the Washington lemon law refund calculated?
The purchase price, collateral charges (sales tax, registration and title fees, finance charges, dealer-installed options) and incidental costs, minus your miles × price ÷ 120,000.
Can I stop my car payments during a Washington lemon law claim?
No. The Attorney General warns that the Lemon Law does not let consumers stop loan or lease payments while a claim is pending.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Washington rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.