How many repair attempts does the lemon law require?
| State | Same defect | Safety defect | Days out of service | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Alaska | 3 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Arizona | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Arkansas | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| California | 4 | 2 | More than 30 days | 18 mo / 18,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Colorado | 3 + notice | 2 | 24 business days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Connecticut | 4 | 2 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Delaware | 4 + notice | No separate test | More than 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| District of Columbia | 4 | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 18,000 mi |
| Florida | 3 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 24 mo |
| Georgia | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Hawaii | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 business days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Idaho | 4 + notice | 1 | 30 business days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Illinois | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo / 12,000 mi |
| Indiana | 4 | No separate test | 30 business days | 18 mo / 18,000 mi |
| Iowa | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Kansas | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Kentucky | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo / 12,000 mi |
| Louisiana | 4 | No separate test | 45 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Maine | 3 + notice | 1 | 15 business days | 36 mo / 18,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Maryland | 4 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 18,000 mi |
| Massachusetts | 3 | No separate test | 15 business days | 12 mo / 15,000 mi |
| Michigan | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Minnesota | 4 + notice | 1 | 30 business days | 24 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Mississippi | 3 + notice | No separate test | 15 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Missouri | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Montana | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 24 mo / 18,000 mi |
| Nebraska | 4 + notice | No separate test | 40 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Nevada | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| New Hampshire | 3 | No separate test | 30 business days | 600 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| New Jersey | 3 + notice | 1 | 20 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| New Mexico | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| New York | 4 | No separate test | 30 days | 24 mo / 18,000 mi |
| North Carolina | 4 + notice | No separate test | 20 business days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| North Dakota | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Ohio | 3 | 1 | 30 days | 12 mo / 18,000 mi |
| Oklahoma | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Oregon | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo / 12,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Rhode Island | 4 | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo / 15,000 mi |
| South Carolina | 3 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo / 12,000 mi |
| South Dakota | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| Texas | 4 | 2 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi, or warranty if shorter |
| Utah | 4 | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Vermont | 3 | No separate test | 30 days | 600 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Virginia | 3 | 1 | 30 days | 18 mo |
| Washington | 4 | 2 | 30 days | 24 mo / 24,000 mi |
| West Virginia | 3 + notice | 1 | 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Wisconsin | 4 | No separate test | 30 days | 12 mo, or warranty if shorter |
| Wyoming | 4 + notice | No separate test | 30 business days | 12 mo |
“+ notice” means the manufacturer must get written notice, and usually a final repair chance, before that test applies. Ohio also counts 8 repairs of any defects in the first year or 18,000 miles. Each state name links to its full guide with the statute sections.
Worked example: three repairs in every state
The same history in each state: a new vehicle delivered March 15, 2025, then three repair visits for a slipping transmission on May 1 (2,000 miles), July 15 (4,500 miles) and October 1, 2025 (7,000 miles), 3 days each, with written notice sent. Checked on November 1, 2025:
| State | Result |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Meets the Three Repairs Plus Final Attempt Test |
| Alaska | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Arizona | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Arkansas | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| California | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Colorado | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Connecticut | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Delaware | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| District of Columbia | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Florida | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Georgia | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Hawaii | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Idaho | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Illinois | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Indiana | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Iowa | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Kansas | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Kentucky | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Louisiana | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Maine | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Maryland | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Massachusetts | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Michigan | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Minnesota | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Mississippi | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Missouri | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Montana | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Nebraska | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Nevada | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| New Hampshire | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| New Jersey | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| New Mexico | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| New York | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| North Carolina | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| North Dakota | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Ohio | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Oklahoma | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Oregon | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Pennsylvania | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Rhode Island | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| South Carolina | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| South Dakota | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Texas | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Utah | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Vermont | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Virginia | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Washington | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| West Virginia | Meets the Three Repairs Test |
| Wisconsin | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
| Wyoming | Not yet: 3 of 4 repairs counted |
Three repairs are enough in states with a 3-repair test. Where the test is 4, the owner needs one more visit inside the window, which is exactly what the timeline builder tracks. Want the deadline and buyback estimate too? Open the complete lemon law checker.
What counts as a repair attempt?
- A visit for the same problem. Describe the problem the same way at each visit so the repair orders can be matched. If the dealer writes it differently, keep your own notes.
- At an authorized dealer or the manufacturer. Independent shops usually do not count toward the test.
- Under the warranty. The defect must be one the manufacturer’s warranty covers.
- Inside the window. A visit after the time or mileage limit does not count toward the presumption, though Michigan counts repairs for 2 years after a first report made inside its window.
Always get a repair order, even when the dealer says it found no problem. It is your proof that you reported the defect and gave the dealer a chance. You can attach a photo of each one in the builder; it stays on your device.
How days out of service are counted
Count the days the vehicle was at the dealer for warranty repair, from drop-off to the day it was ready. The days do not need to be in a row; they add up across visits. States differ in three ways:
- Business or calendar days. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming count business days. The others count calendar days, and California needs more than 30.
- Loaner days. Texas leaves out days when the manufacturer gave you a comparable loaner while a franchised dealer repaired the car.
- Notice first. In Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming, the days test also needs written notice to the manufacturer. Florida requires it once the vehicle reaches 15 days out of service.
Frequently asked questions
How many times does a car have to be repaired to be a lemon?
It depends on the state. Among the 50 verified states the test is 3 or 4 repairs of the same defect, often fewer for a serious safety defect, or a set number of days out of service inside the protection window.
Do repair visits with no problem found count?
Keep the repair order either way. It shows you reported the defect and gave the dealer a chance. Whether a specific visit counts toward the presumption depends on the state and the facts, so record every visit.
Do repair attempts have to be in a row?
No. The repairs only need to be for the same defect inside the window. Days out of service are also added up, so they do not need to be consecutive.
What if my repairs do not meet a test?
The tests create a presumption; they are not the only way to win. A claim without one is harder, so check your state’s guide and deadline, and consider speaking with an attorney.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. Read how we verify every rule in our editorial policy.
- Alabama: Ala. Code §§ 8-20A-1 to 8-20A-6
- Alaska: Alaska Stat. §§ 45.45.300–45.45.360
- Arizona: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-1261 to 44-1265
- Arkansas: Act 297 of 1993
- California: Cal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.; Tanner Act, § 1793.22
- Colorado: C.R.S. §§ 42-10-101 to 42-10-110 (as amended by SB 24-192)
- Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-179 to 42-190
- Delaware: 6 Del. C. §§ 5001–5009
- District of Columbia: D.C. Code §§ 50-501 to 50-509
- Florida: Fla. Stat. ch. 681
- Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 10-1-780 et seq.
- Hawaii: Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 481I
- Idaho: Idaho Code §§ 48-901 to 48-913
- Illinois: 815 ILCS 380
- Indiana: Ind. Code § 24-5-13
- Iowa: Iowa Code ch. 322G
- Kansas: K.S.A. 50-645, 50-646
- Kentucky: KRS 367.840 to 367.846; 367.860 to 367.870
- Louisiana: La. R.S. 51:1941–1948
- Maine: 10 M.R.S. §§ 1161–1169
- Maryland: Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq.
- Massachusetts: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 7N½
- Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 257.1401–257.1410
- Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 325F.665
- Mississippi: Miss. Code §§ 63-17-151 to 63-17-165
- Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.560–407.579
- Montana: Mont. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-501 to 61-4-533
- Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-2701 to 60-2709
- Nevada: NRS 597.600 to 597.688
- New Hampshire: N.H. RSA 357-D:1 to 357-D:12
- New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq.
- New Mexico: NMSA 1978 §§ 57-16A-1 to 57-16A-9
- New York: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a
- North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-351 to 20-351.10
- North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code §§ 51-07-16 to 51-07-22
- Ohio: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.71–1345.78
- Oklahoma: 15 Okla. Stat. §§ 901, 901.1
- Oregon: ORS 646A.400 to 646A.418
- Pennsylvania: 73 P.S. § 1951 et seq. (Act 28 of 1984)
- Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14
- South Carolina: S.C. Code §§ 56-28-10 to 56-28-110
- South Dakota: S.D. Codified Laws §§ 32-6D-1 to 32-6D-11
- Texas: Tex. Occ. Code ch. 2301, subch. M
- Utah: Utah Code §§ 13-20-1 to 13-20-8
- Vermont: 9 V.S.A. §§ 4170–4181
- Virginia: Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9 to 59.1-207.16:1
- Washington: Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.118
- West Virginia: W. Va. Code §§ 46A-6A-1 to 46A-6A-9
- Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. § 218.0171
- Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. § 40-17-101